On this week’s episode of the Choral Mix, Kent Tritle presents his most essential Christmas music from England. We hear medleys and settings by Holst and Williams, as well as selections by their predecessors Hubert Parry and Charles Stanford.
Much of the best Christmas music from England draws from the deep wells of folk melodies and carols. Composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst and Gerald Finzi had a special knack for weaving together the different strands of their musical heritage and creating an unforgettable and distinctly English sound.
Playlist
Holst, Gustav: Christmas Day, for chorus & orchestra, H. 109
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, City Of London Choir,
Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor
Lydia Challen, Alto; Julia Doyle, Soprano; Julian Davies, Tenor; Simon Oberts, Baritone
Naxos 8572102
Stanford, Charles Villiers: Evening Service in G major, Op. 81: Magnificat
Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge
Christopher Robinson, Conductor
Naxos 8.555794
Parry, Charles Hubert: When Christ was Born of Mary free
A Marian Christmas
St. Martin’s Chamber Choir,
Timothy J Krueger, Conductor
St. Martin's Chamber Choir Catalogue Number 1
Parry, Charles Hubert: Welcome Yule
Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum
Benjamin Nicholas, Conductor
Carleton Etherington, Organ
Delphian Records 34047
Finzi, Gerald: Et in Terra Pax, Op. 39;
And Lo the angel of the Lord came
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Choir of Winchester Cathedral,
David Hill, Conductor
Donald Sweeney, Bass; Libby Crabtree, Soprano
Decca 468807
Holst, Gustav:
In the Bleak mid-winter
Carol, H 133: no 3, Masters in this Hall
Christ Church Cathedral Choir
Stephen Darlington, Conductor
Nimbus 7021
Warlock, Peter: A Cornish Christmas Carol
Finzi Singers
Paul Spicer, Conductor
Chandos 9182
Warlock, Peter: Bethlehem Down
Voces8
Signum U.K. 291
Vaughan Williams, Ralph: Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Joyful Company of Singers, City of London Sinfonia
Richard Hickox, Conductor
Joseph Cullen, Organ
Roderick Williams, Baritone
Chandos 10385
Mendelssohn, Felix (Sosin, Donald, Arranger): Hark the Herald Angels Sing (in the style of Beethoven)
Jeffrey Biegel, Piano
Steinway & Sons 30005
Traditional: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Handel and Haydn Society
Harry Christophers, Conductor
Coro 16117