Britten: A Ceremony of Carols

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Of the many accounts of Britten's Ceremony of Carols in the catalog, this one is the best. This was the first work Britten wrote for boys' voices, and with his keen ear and extraordinary imagination, he achieved many wondrous and memorable effects. At the heart of this 1986 performance are the boys of the Westminster Cathedral Choir, obviously a well-trained group. With their outstanding intonation and hearty sound, these London boys outclass all the competition. Their singing is free and expressive, yet very disciplined, even in the triple canon of "This Little Babe," which has a way of bringing all but the most skillful groups to grief. The playing of harpist Sioned Williams is especially accomplished--she delivers a superb realization of the solo interlude based on "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"--and David Hill's direction is right on the mark. The recording, made in Westminster Cathedral, is spacious and extremely appealing, right down to the comings-and-goings of the procession and recession, both of which work beautifully. A fine sampling of Britten's other choral music, including the beautiful Missa Brevis in D, rounds out the disc. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Nothing but hits.......2001-01-31

As with their first collection of label highlights, Hyperion's new two-disc collection provides a broad sampling of their exceptional catalogue and performers. Particularly rewarding are the selections from Beethoven (Scherzo from String Trio in C minor, op 9 no 3, performed by the Leopold Trio) and Thomas Tallis (Salvator mundi I, performed by the Winchester Cathedral Choir), but experienced and novice listeners alike will find much to enjoy on these discs. It's also a good value--more than 2 1/2 hours of music for less than $10.

Average customer rating:

King's College Classic
Britten Brilliance

Britten: Choral Works

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Britten: A Ceremony of Carols
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Britten: Ceremony of Carols

ASIN: B0001HAHHS
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

I: In A Garden Shady This Holy Lady - Sir David Willcocks
II: I Cannot Grow - Sir David Willcocks
III: O Ear Whose Creatures Cannot Wish To Fail - Sir David Willcocks
I: Procession - Sir David Willcocks
II: Wolcum Yole! - Sir David Willcocks
III: There Is No Rose - Sir David Willcocks
IV: (a) That Yonge Child - Sir David Willcocks
(b) Balulalow - Sir David Willcocks
V: As Dew In Aprille - Sir David Willcocks
VI: This Little Babe - Sir David Willcocks
VII: Interlude (Andante Pastorale) - Sir David Willcocks
VIII: In Freezing Winter Night - Sir David Willcocks
IX: Spring Carol - Sir David Willcocks
X: Deo Gracias! - Sir David Willcocks
XI: Recession - Sir David Willcocks
I: Kyrie - Sir David Willcocks
II: Gloria - Sir David Willcocks
III: Sanctus - Sir David Willcocks
IV: Benedictus - Sir David Willcocks
V: Agnus Dei - Sir David Willcocks
Festival Te Deum Op.32 - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Rejoice In God, O Ye Tongues - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
For I Will Consider My Cat Jeoffrey - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
For The Mouse Is A Creature Of Great Personal Valour - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
For The Flowers Are Great Blessings - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
For I Am Under The Same Accusation With My Saviour - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
For H Is A Spirit And Therefore He Is God - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Hallelujah From The Heart Of God - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Te Deum In C - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Jubilate Deo - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge

Customer Reviews:

King's College Classic.......2004-10-11

Way back in the dark ages, before CDs roamed the earth, I purchased the LP of this recording. It remains my favorite performance of Britten's work. The voices of the choir, accompanied by one harp, weave an achingly beautiful tapestry of sound. It is a wonderful way to introduce children and friends to the English choral tradition of sacred music.

Britten Brilliance.......2004-09-28

Captivating from start to finish: EMI has programmed & remastered this bounty of Britten choral work superbly. The Choir of King's College, Cambridge performs with stunning sensitivity, ethereal, heartbreaking & transcendent. A just classic disc

A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High

Average customer rating:

Beautiful
Robert Shaw Chorale
a perfect Ceremony of Carols!
Brilliant compilation
Didn't care for it that much

A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003D2M
Release Date: 1997-09-23

Tracks:

O Come, Emmanuel
Alleluia
The First Nowell
The Carol Of The Birds
Allon, Gay Bergeres
A Hymn To The Virgin
O Magnum Mysterium
Christmas Oratorio: Rejoice And Sing
Ave Maria
What Is This Lovely Fragrance?
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Sing Lullaby
While By My Sheep
Christmas Oratorio: Break Forth, O Wondrous Heavenly Light
Heavenly Light
Adeste Fideles
Ceremony Of Carols: Procession - Hodie Christus Natus Est
Ceremony Of Carols: Wolcum Yole!
Ceremony Of Carols: There Is No Rose
Ceremony Of Carols: That Yonge Child
Ceremony Of Carols: Balulalow
Ceremony Of Carols: As Dew In Aprille
Ceremony Of Carols: This Little Babe
Interlude (Harp Solo)
Ceremony Of Carols: In Freezing Winter Night
Ceremony Of Carols: Spring Carol
Ceremony Of Carols: Deo Gracias
Ceremony Of Carols: Recession: Hodie Christus Natus Est

Amazon.com

In this beautifully chosen program of mostly a cappella arrangements, Robert Shaw and the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers deliver the Christmas story in tones of gentle and moving splendor. The carols and sacred settings recorded here are all of an intimate sort, and the rapturous, gently expressive realizations Shaw and his singers give them prove unfailingly appealing. Particularly moving is the newest work on the disc, a setting of "O magnum mysterium" by the American composer Morten Lauridsen. Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria" is another gem, as is the arrangement by Healy Willan of the French carol "What Is This Lovely Fragrance?" The offering includes a pair of chorales from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and two wonderful Christmas works by Benjamin Britten: "A Hymn to the Virgin" and A Ceremony of Carols, both well done, even if the sound of sopranos and altos (rather than boy trebles) in the latter takes some getting used to. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-02-16

The music is beautiful of course. The Robert Shaw Chorale is a high quality group of singers, and the arrangements they sing are really nice. Because of the age of the recording today's standards of equpment and tonal quality simply weren't available but the upgrade from analog vinyl was well-done. I shall look for more of these.

Robert Shaw Chorale.......2007-01-10

This is an excellent ablum. The music is lovely and quite varied. While there are many of the familiar favorites, there are also many new and different songs and the whole CD is a delight to listen to.

a perfect Ceremony of Carols!.......2005-12-22

This is the finest recording of Britten's A Ceremony of Carols I've ever come across, and there are plenty of versions to choose from. The King's College Choir rendition suffers from overstuffed acoustics, a constant with that choir, and their recording of Ceremony of Carols falls short in the requisite rhythmic clarity and intensity. The Christ Church, Oxford version is plodding, and lacks sparkle. Harry Christopher's The Sixteen come close, with marvelous sonics and ecstatic diction, but fall apart in the exacting 'This Little Babe' round with uneven cohesion, and strange stressed notes that ruin the waterfall effect so felicitously construed by Britten. I've not heard Britten's own conducted version, but he scrupulously insisted on boy trebles, and it's difficult if not impossible to conjure a more perfect rendering than the one given here by Shaw and his Chamber Singers. 'This Little Babe' is incomparable in each and all of its rapid fire contours, which is no mean feat. Mezzo-soprano Nanette Soles deserves special mention for incandescent singing on 'That Younge Child". The luminous pacing of 'There is no rose of such virtue' is notable, and to his credit Shaw employs the ecclesiastical pronunciation of the various Latin passages, unlike The Sixteen (and most other English choir recordings of this piece) who insist on an idiomatic British pronunciation of Latin, which offers nothing but distraction. Some will prefer boy treble singers, an attractive option, but for high musical values and the art they inevitably enshrine, it's impossible to be disappointed with this profoundly wrought version of Ceremony of Carols. Bach's 'Break Forth, O beauteous heavenly light' is just right, and I'd not heard 'Heavenly Light' by Aleksandr Kopylov; both are favorable additions to an excellent recording. Recommended.

Brilliant compilation.......2005-03-16

This is an absolutely outstanding collection of carols - some of them well-known, some of them obscure. As a choral singer, I've had the pleasure of singing many of these pieces, and I was delighted when I found them all in one place, and done by an ensemble so accomplished as the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers! It just isn't Christmas for me without this recording.

Didn't care for it that much.......2004-12-27

I prefer to hear the voices and the words of the carols, and this one has too much other sound (maybe even the use of massed voices); I have a hard time hearing what they are singing.

Average customer rating:

A Bountiful Gift of Britten's Choral Works

Britten: Ceremony of Carols
Choir of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford , and Grier
Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000CEONG
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

Procession
Wolcum Yole!
There Is No Rose
That Younge Child
Balulalow
As Dew In Aprille
This Little Babe
Interlude (Harp Solo)
In Freezing Winter Night
Spring Carol
Adam Lay I-Bounden
Recession
Te Deum In C
Hymn To St Peter, Op. 56A
Hymn To The Virgin
Hymn To St Cecilia, Op. 27

Customer Reviews:

A Bountiful Gift of Britten's Choral Works.......2006-11-14

Grateful we should be to ASV Living Era label for re-releasing this 1982 recording of what must be the finest performance of Benjamin Britten's A CEREMONY OF CAROLS on record. As performed by the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford under the direction of Francis Grier this delicate, otherworldly and penultimately Christmas work is sung by boys with the fine harp accompaniment by Frances Kelly. The ambience of the cathedral is captured in great beauty and the work, a model of simplicity and innocent devotion, is sung with exquisite sound and enunciation. The solos are by Edward Harris, Mark Slater, and Andrew Olleson and remind us of why this work was written for children's voices and not the women's choruses who try to imitate the beauty of prepuberal sound!

Included on this CD are Britten's rarely heard but very evocative TE DEUM in C major, HYMN TO ST. PETER, HYMN TO THE VIRGIN, and the ever-popular HYMN TO ST. CECILIA. The Organ accompaniment is in the capable hands (and feet) of Harry Bickett. Each of the works on the recording is superb and as a collection they are unbeatable, especially at the extremely low cost!

As the holidays approach there can be no more subtle way to greet them than with this recording of A CEREMONY OF CAROLS, breaking the usual routine of music that abounds. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, November 06

Average customer rating:

Buy This One
Better than Vienna Boys' Choir; essential for any Christmas or classical collection
The best version of this piece!

Britten: A Ceremony of Carols

Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000002ZJC
Release Date: 1993-11-12

Tracks:

A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Procession
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Wolcum Yole!
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: There Is No Rose
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: That Yonge Child - Robert Ogden
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Balulalow - Jeremy Unwin
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: As Dew In Aprille
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: This Little Babe
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Interlude - Sioned Williams
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: In Freezing Winter Night - Jeremy Unwin/Francis Shepherd
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Spring Carol - Marc Stevens/Robert Ogden
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Adam Lay I-Bounden
A Ceremony Of Carols, Op.28: Recession
Missa Brevis in D, Op.63: Kyrie
Missa Brevis in D, Op.63: Gloria - Benedict Rogerson/Robert Holmes/Robert Ogden
Missa Brevis in D, Op.63: Sanctus And Benedictus - Marc Stevens/Robert Holmes
Missa Brevis in D, Op.63: Agnus Dei
A Hymn To The Virgin - Francis Shepherd/Robert Jones/Simon Davies
A Hymn Of St. Columba (Regis Regum Rectissimi) - Gordon Jones
Deus In Adjutorium Meum...
Jubilate Deo in E flat

Amazon.com essential recording

Of the many accounts of Britten's Ceremony of Carols in the catalog, this one is the best. This was the first work Britten wrote for boys' voices, and with his keen ear and extraordinary imagination, he achieved many wondrous and memorable effects. At the heart of this 1986 performance are the boys of the Westminster Cathedral Choir, obviously a well-trained group. With their outstanding intonation and hearty sound, these London boys outclass all the competition. Their singing is free and expressive, yet very disciplined, even in the triple canon of "This Little Babe," which has a way of bringing all but the most skillful groups to grief. The playing of harpist Sioned Williams is especially accomplished--she delivers a superb realization of the solo interlude based on "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"--and David Hill's direction is right on the mark. The recording, made in Westminster Cathedral, is spacious and extremely appealing, right down to the comings-and-goings of the procession and recession, both of which work beautifully. A fine sampling of Britten's other choral music, including the beautiful Missa Brevis in D, rounds out the disc. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Buy This One.......2006-12-18

I just purchased this CD, and the performance of Ceremony of Carols is absolutely ravishing.

Better than Vienna Boys' Choir; essential for any Christmas or classical collection.......2006-01-03

I have to agree with other reviewers that this is the best version of "A Ceremony of Carols" available. The piercing purity of the treble solo voice on "Balulalow" brings tears to my eyes nearly every time I listen to it, and the quality of the rest of the album matches that performance.

These are exceedingly well-trained children; I often get a little concerned when a choir approaches "This Little Babe," but this choir tosses off the difficult challenge with an ease that lets me forget the notes and instead be shaken by the poetry of young boys singing a fierce war-cry about the hero Christ-child who, in his naked, infinitely vulnerable infancy, is humanity's shield against all hell.

This is not "pretty" music - yes, it's just boys and a harp - but it's powerful, lulling, agressive, disarming. I can't stop talking about this recording to my friends and family.

The best version of this piece!.......2000-09-23

This is the best version of the Ceremony of Carols available. It is sung completely by trebles and is accompanied only by harp, which is how it was written. Trebles = boys. I thought it was out of print and I am very happy to see that it is not. The only problem with this version is that it is very quiet, and needs to be turned up to double the usual volume, but it isn't a major problem. In case you're not familiar with this piece, it is a very beautiful set of carols written in old English (even though it was written in the 20th century). The songs are very complex, especially my favorite "This Little Babe" which has 3 sections of the choir singing the same lyrics a beat apart... very difficult, and very exciting. There is also the beautifully dissident "That Yonge Child", and practically everyone's favorite "Balulalow". The harp interlude is also very popular. I highly recommend this CD.

Average customer rating:

Reference Classics

Manufacturer: Reference Recordings
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Christmas Adagios
christmas adagios
Nice Background for the Holidays
One of my very top 5 favorite holiday albums!
Wonderful POCOCAT?

Christmas Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005NY7D
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

O Holy Night - Leontyne Price
Ave Maria - Luciano Pavarotti
In The Bleak Midwinter - Rosemary Joshua/Ian Bostridge
Coventry Carol - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
Away In A Manger - Mark Tinkler
Gabriel's Message - The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College, Cambridge
Pastoral Sinfonia - Academy Of St Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
Il S'en Va Loin De La Terre - Acadamy And Chorus Of St Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
Panis Angelicus - Kiri Te Kanawa
Schlafe, Mein Liebster - Marilyn Horne
Wiegenlied - Renata Tabaldi
O Jesu So Meek - Simon Preston
While Shepherds Watched - Stephen Cleobury
Susser Trost, Mein Jesus Kommt - Agnes Giebel
Lute Concerto, RV 93: Largo - Eduardo Fernandez
Alma Redemptoris Mater - Julian Podger
O Magnum Mysterium - John Angelo Messana
Zastupnitse Userdnaya - St Petersburgh Chamber Choir/Nikolai Korniev
Iubi-Te-voi (I Will Love Thee, O Lord) - Angela Gheorghiu/Romanian National CHamber Choir 'Madrigal'/Constantin Marin
Once In Royal David's City - Robin Barter/David Briggs
O Tannenbaum - Vienna Boys Choir/Uwe Christian Harrer
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks

Tracks:

Stille Nacht - The Bach Choir/David Willcockes
Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Katherine Fuge/Nicola Jenkin/Elinor Carter/Julian Podger
Winter, RV 297: Largo - Alan Loveday
The First Nowell - The Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
In Dulci Jubilo - The Bach Choir/David Willcocks
The Three Kings - Gerald Finley
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen - Monteverdi Choir
Still, Still, Still - Ian Bostridge
The Crown Of Roses - The Choir Of Clare College, Cambridge/John Rutter
Christmas Concerto, Op.6 No.8: Largo Pastorale - Academy Of Saint Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
The Lamb - Monteverdi Choir/John Eliot Gardiner
Balulalow - Anthony Way/Lucy Wakeford/St Paul's Cathedral Choir/John Scott
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
Mille Cherubini In Coro - Luciano Pavarotti
Vesperae Solennes De Confessore, K.339: Laudate Dominum - Kiri Te Kanawa
The Infant King - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
Lullaby My Jesus - The Choir Of Winchester Cathedral/David Hill
What Child Is This? - Anthony Way/Tom Finucane
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle - L'Orchestra De La Suisse Romande/Richard Bonynge
See Amid The Winter's Snow - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
The Blessed Son Of God - The Choir Of Winchester Cathedral/David Hill
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - Leontyne Price
White Christmas - Kiri Te Kanawa/London Voices

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Adagios.......2007-03-03

This is the BEST Christmas collection that I have ever heard. I would like
to purchase 15 more to give as gifts this year; however, it appears that
Decca is out of stock or no longer releasing it. HELP!!

christmas adagios.......2007-01-14

this was one of the best assortment of classical holiday songs that i have ever heard. it contains a marvelous array of the best composers and performers that the world has to offer. if you are a fan of classical music, i think this cd will be a positive addition to your music collection

Nice Background for the Holidays.......2007-01-11

Beautiful Adagios and a rich selection for the price. Audio travels to Vienna, London, Cambridge etc

One of my very top 5 favorite holiday albums!.......2005-11-19

What a delightful surprise this 2 disc album was and I'm not a big fan of Christmas music. I loved all the selections and felt they were well performed. This is a true "must have" for any Christmas collection. Superior to many other compliations on the market. This one is a keeper! It is the one album I'll pick first to listen to after Thanksgiving.

Wonderful POCOCAT?.......2005-07-16

Great CD. The reviewer who calls him/herself POCOCAT says he/she is an opera singer. Wonder how much work an uninformed singer gets?
A "fast spinning" vibrato,as you describe Ms. Price, is not the same as a wide vibrato. The former is a speed issue, the latter a width issue. Therefore, 4 variables exist: fast, slow, wide, slim. Thus, 4 types of voice exist: fast/wide, fast/slim, slow/wide, and slow/slim. Most often a singer leans toward fast/slim or slow/wide, in varying degrees. A matter of taste, yes, but learn more about the voice before you expound.

Average customer rating:

Exquisite, with glimpses of a transcendental beauty
Probably of interest to purists & students

Christmas Through The Ages

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Salvator Noster - King's Consort
In the Bleak Mid-Winter - Corydon Singers, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child (The Coventry Carol) Op. 25 No. 2
Carol of the Children - Holst Singers
There Is No Rose of Such Virtue
O Magnum Mysterium - Westminster Cathedral Choir
Omnes de Saba
Allegro from the 'Christmas Concerto' Op. 6 No. 8
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Westminster Cathedral Choir
Adieu des Bergers - Corydon Singers
Die Ke ('Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar') Op. 8 No. 2
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - St. Paul's Cathedral Choir
NoNo. 1 - Christopher Herrick
Hodie Nobis de Coelo - Parley of Instruments, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Quem Pastores Laudavere - Westminster Cathedral Choir
God Is With Us (A Christmas Proclamation)

Customer Reviews:

Exquisite, with glimpses of a transcendental beauty.......2003-09-19

I can't believe it. This is the first "Christmas" disc I ever bought and am still regularly listening to ... nine months post-holiday, now!

This collection is replete with sparks of worship and awe. The festive jaunt embarks on a well-executed, majestic baroque piece, slipping into some flitty operatics. The mood shifts from aristocratic regalism to rich, emotive ethnicity in the climactic, folk dance-feel of entries 3 & 4. The transition between the two is gorgeous. {Who compiled this disc? Give that wo/man a raise! I have never heard such juxtapositional mastery on any professional compilation before. Chillout comp "masters", listen and weep!!}

Not only is this CD emotionally satiating with expert arrangement/transitions, it is well-balanced in style: from traditional to experimental, pointed to ethereal, instrumental to acapella ... voices male and female, youthful and mature. The frosty choral majesty of pockets No. 5 and interlude 9 through 13 bestow upon the listener such a sweet uplift into the spirit of praise. This inspirational thrust underlies a generous portion of this disc. For the first time in years I have decided upon a personal "favorite song", and that is #11. The "engagement ring diamond commercial" residue doesn't interfere too much with enjoying the effervescent, Vivaldi-ish No. 15. A few organ pieces are thrown in for good measure (the final, surprising one always evoking a good chuckle).

While there are certainly many standouts I listen to far more regularly than other ballads, this is a solid disc of excellent, well-executed music. My muddled blabbering on here cannot do this CD justice. This is one of the very best CDs in my personal collection. The Hyperion Label should be very proud of this release. If you are seeking a festive potpourri of aural exaltation, the charming incense of Christmas Throughout the Ages will not disappoint.

Incidentally, the track listing on Amazon is currently inaccurate - either that, or they have the wrong title and cover art for their product number here. Yikes! In the interim, go to the Hyperion-Records UK website to see the real list until Amazon rectifies this listing.

I have reviewed:

Thomas Clark of Canterbury (1775-1859)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night [3'40]
Psalmody, The Parley of Instruments / Peter Holman
From Christmas Music from English Parish Churches, 1740-1830 (CDA66924)
Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672)

Die Hirten auf dem Felder [1'27]
The King's Consort / Robert King
Soloists: James Bowman, Jonathan Kenny countertenors, Mark Padmore tenor
From The Christmas Story (CDA66398)
Anonymous medieval English

Procedenti puero [1'44]
Sinfonye / Stevie Wishart
Soloists: Vivian Ellis, Jocelyn West sopranos
From Gabriel's Greeting (CDA66685)
Spanish traditional

Riu, riu chiu [2'17]
The Sixteen / Harry Christophers
Soloist: Christopher Hodges bass
From Christmas Music From Medieval and Renaissance Europe (CDA66263)
Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599)

La luz de vuestros ojos [2'13]
A Capella Portuguesa / Owen Rees
From Masters of the Chapel Royal, Lisbon (CDA66725)
Giuseppe Valentini (1680-1759)

Presto from Sinfonia a tre, per Il Santissimo Natale Op 1 No 12 [3'58]
Northwest Chamber Orchestra of Seattle / Alun Francis
From Baroque Christmas Music (CDH55048)
Harold Darke (1888-1976)

In the bleak mid-winter [4'59]
Westminster Cathedral Choir / James O'Donnell
soloists: Aaron Webber treble, Matthew Vine tenor
From Adeste fidelis (CDA66668)
Giovanni Gabrieli (c1555-1612)

Salvator noster [4'17]
The King's Consort / Robert King
From The Christmas Story (CDA66398)
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

In the bleak mid-winter [4'59]
Corydon Singers / Westminster Cathedral Choristers / Matthew Best
From A Boy was Born (CDA66126)
Traditional, arranged by Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988)

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child (The Coventry Carol) Op 25 No 2 [3'17]
Polyphony / Stephen Layton
Soloist: Emma Preston Dunlop soprano
From O Magnum Mysterium (CDA66925)
John Rutter (b1945)

Carol of the Children [3'14]
Holst Singers / Stephen Layton
From Music for Christmas by John Rutter (CDA67245)
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

There is no rose of such virtue [2'36]
Westminster Cathedral Choristers, Sioned Williams harp / David Hill
From A Ceremony of Carols (CDA66220)
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

O magnum mysterium [3'23]
Westminster Cathedral Choir / James O'Donnell
From Poulenc Mass and Motets (CDA66664)
Orlandus Lassus (1532-1594)

Omnes de Saba [3'17]
The Sixteen / Harry Christophers
From Christmas Music From Medieval and Renaissance Europe (CDA66263)
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713)

Allegro from the `Christmas Concerto' Op 6 No 8 [2'17]
The Brandenburg Consort / Roy Goodman
From Corelli Concerti Grossi Op 6 (CDD22011)
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), arranged by Philip Ledger (b1937)

Hark, the herald angels sing [3'10]
Westminster Cathedral Choir, Iain Simcock organ / James O'Donnell
From Adeste fidelis (CDA66668)
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)

L'Adieu des Bergers [4'46]
Corydon Singers, Corydon Orchestra / Matthew Best
From L'Enfance du Christ (CDA66991/2)
Peter Cornelius (1824-1874)

Die Könige (`Three Kings from Persian lands afar') Op 8 No 2 [2'54]
Polyphony / Stephen Layton
Soloist: Robert Rice tenor

From Choral Music by Peter Cornelius (CDA67206)
Traditional, arranged by Andrew Carter (b1939)

O come, o come, Emmanuel [4'01]
St Paul's Cathedral Choir, Andrew Lucas organ / John Scott
From Advent at St Paul's (CDA66994)
Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772)

Noël No 1 [2'34]
Christopher Herrick organ of St Rémy, Dieppe
From Daquin's Twelve Noëls (CDA66816)
Pedro de Cristo (c1550-1618)

Hodie nobis de coelo [2'18]
Westminster Cathedral Choir / James O'Donnell
From Masterpieces of Portuguese Polyphony (CDA66512)
Michael Praetorius (c1571-1621)

Quem pastores laudavere [6'27]
Westminster Cathedral Choir, The Parley of Instruments / David Hill
From Christmas Music by Michael Praetorius (CDA66200)
John Tavener (b1944)

God is with us: A Christmas Proclamation [5'27]
St George's Chapel Choir, Windsor Castle, Roger Judd organ / Christopher Robinson
Soloist: James Oxley tenor
From Sacred Music by John Tavener (CDA66464)

Probably of interest to purists & students.......2002-12-05

I sure don't want to imply that this is a poor album. If you like classical music, you'll find much to enrich your soul here. However, when one considers the huge choice of classical Christmas offerings, this one just doesn't strike me as being above average for the genre.

For a larger overview of great classical Christmas music, I think "Christmas Adagios" is much more satisfying. "Christmas With Chanicleer" and "The #1 Christmas Album" are other highly pleasing and comprehensive collections, each with more that is familiar and can be related with.

Tracks:

Procession - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
Wolcom Yole! - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
There Is No Rose - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
That Yonge Child - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
Balulalow - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
As Dew In Aprille - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
This Little Babe - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
Interlude - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
In Freezing Winter Night - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
Spring Carol - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
Deo Gracias - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
Recession - The Christ Church Cathedral Boys' Chor And Girls' Chor, Indianapolis/Frederick Burgomaster/Jill Pitz
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Hodie Christus Natus Es Tone 1 - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: There Is No Rose - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Audivi, Media Nocte - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Sing We To This Merry Company - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Lux Hodie: Orientis Partibus - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: O Magnum Mysterium - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Divisions On 'Greensleeves' English Folk Melody - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Sweet Was The Song The Virgin Sang - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Dixit Maria - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Lullay, Lullow: I Saw - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Illuminare Jerusalem - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier
Medieval Chants, Carols, And Renaissance Motets: Ante Luciferum Genitus - The Chrsit Church Cathedral Choirmen/Frederick Burgomaster/Dorothy Linell/Jeffrey Collier

Customer Reviews:

Excellent recording of a Britten Classic!.......2007-02-06

There are two basic reasons to purchase recordings by choral groups:
1. For personal listening enjoyment
2. For demonstration purposes

As a director of Junior and Senior High choirs, I needed a clear, correct performance of "Ceremony of Carols". This recording served my purpose well. As a matter of fact, it serves both reasons I've given; it pleases ME with the additional selections by a fine choir as well as provides the perfect example of 'how to sing' these Britten beauties for my young people.

Choirs combine to provide a powerful experience.......2000-11-29

This is really a combination of two cd's on one. The first part combines the Christ Church Cathedral Girls' Choir with the Boys' Choir of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. The experience in these two groups rivals those of any choir in the world despite all being under age 18. Their voices combine beautifully on the wide range of emotions in Britten's Ceremony of Carols. To say it is heavenly would be an understatement.

The second half of this cd features the Men of the Choir of Men and Boys. Singing the lower three parts (alto, tenor, and bass, one is transported to the Middle Ages and the monastaries of England and Europe. The lusty singing of these less familiar Christmas carols illustrates the one time a year the monks allowed themselves to be human.

I highly recommend this CD for any lover of Benjamin Britten and for any person looking for an alternative to the standard Christmas fare.

Britten Choral Works II: A Ceremony of Carols
Average customer rating:

Precise Ceremony

Britten Choral Works II: A Ceremony of Carols
Benjamin Britten , The Sixteen , and Harry Christophers
Manufacturer: Coro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Britten: Choral Works

ASIN: B000B86582
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

A Ceremony of Carols - Procession
A Ceremony of Carols - Wolcum Yole!
A Ceremony of Carols - There is no Rose
A Ceremony of Carols - That yonge child
A Ceremony of Carols - Balulalow
A Ceremony of Carols - As dew in Aprille
A Ceremony of Carols - This little Babe
A Ceremony of Carols - Interlude
A Ceremony of Carols - In freezing winter night
A Ceremony of Carols - Spring Carol
A Ceremony of Carols - Deo Gracias!
A Ceremony of Carols - Recession
A Shepherd's Carol
The Sycamore Tree
Sweet was the Song
Missa Brevis in D - Kyrie
Missa Brevis in D - Gloria
Missa Brevis in D - Sanctus/Benedictus
Missa Brevis in D - Agnus Dei
A Boy was Born - Theme
A Boy was Born - Variation I: Lullay, Jesu
A Boy was Born - Variation II: Herod
A Boy was Born - Variation III: Jesu, as Thou art
A Boy was Born - Variation IV: The Three Kings
A Boy was Born - Variation V: In the Bleak Mid-Winter
A Boy was Born - Variation VI: Noel!

Product Description

This recording celebrates some of Britten's finest choral music for Christmas, together with his Missa Brevis. It is headed by the much-loved A Ceremony of Carols, a masterpeice composed on board ship as Britten returned to England from the U.S.A. in 1942. The telling use of the harp as accompaniment helps to suggest a touching evocation of boyhood lost but never forgotten.

Customer Reviews:

Precise Ceremony.......2006-01-02

Many may disagree with me here, but this recording by the faultless Sixteen is better than any of those with boys' choir (the latter being Britten's specification). Boys have that special sound, but they tend to splat the notes - problematic in this challenging piece - and their artistry is not always as sensitive as one might wish. This recording is beautiful, and the Sixteen favor the pure vocal sound that serves music like this so well.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Reminiscing/Showcase [Original recording remastered]

Adriano Banchieri: Festino; Alessandro Striggio: La Caccia

A CARNIVAL OF SONGS: Annette Celine

Sixty Minutes Of Sin

21st Century Hard House [Import]

Advent

28 Schlager: Schlag Auf Schlag [Import]

A Hangover You Don't Deserve [Enhanced] [Explicit Lyrics]

Air Guitar Anthems [Import]

A Retrospective [Import]

1940 & 1941

Amares [Import]

100 Spokes [CD-single]

Living Streams Instrumental

Timeagain