This collection of Christmas and midwinter songs ranges from the familiar Christmas story via curious legends (Villanelle de Noel) and secular traditions (Wassail Song) to the downright subversive (The Innocents’ Song). We have music from the 15th to the 21st century, music from Naples, Sweden, France, Iceland, Spain, Scotland, England and America, a Basque carol, and a Catalan song. We don’t neglect the well-loved Christmas favourites, but we hope that some of our choices will be new to you.
This CD is dedicated to the memory of Drew Reith – a fine tenor, a gifted musician, and, most of all, a friend and fellow spirit. Drew joined us early in 2004, and rapidly established himself as a valued member of our group. He is sadly missed when we meet and when we perform.
Track list
- Jul, Jul, strålande Jul 2m31s
- The angel Gabriel 2m14s
- Innocents’ song 1m15s
- Good Christian friends rejoice 2m10s
- It’ll be a hard winter 2m48s
- Il est né 2m13s
- Away in a manger 2m18s
- I saw a maiden 2m03s
- Hátíð fer að höndum ein 2m50s
- O little town of Bethlehem 3m35s
- Coventry carol 2m17s
- El cant des ocells 3m05s
- Gaudete 1m44s
- Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child 3m17s
- O Mary and the baby 3m52s
- Quando nascette ninno 2m00s
- Lullaby, my sweet little baby 2m03s
- Riu, riu, chiu 2m31s
- Ding! Dong! Merrily on high 1m39s
- Villanelle de Noël 2m20s
- Wassail song 3m03s
Playing time 52 minutes.
The singers
Michael Buck, Suzanna Bonnar, Christina Brown, Mirren Childs, Frances Cockburn, Alison Cook, Jenny Fardell, Anne Grindley, Peter Hawkins, Peter Hill, AnnaLauren Hunt, Isabel Lohss, Sari Kontkanen, Elaine Nicol, Anna Partridge, Kay Russell, Douglas Shaw, Frank Tollick, John Wexler, Susan Wexler
Directed by Frances Cockburn
Recorded in Crichton Collegiate Church, 2004
