This disc consists of an eclectic mix of Christmas carols, popular
Christmas classics, original compositions by British composers and
arrangements of traditional tunes, many of which have been prepared
by the group’s baritone singer, Philip Lawson and founding bass
Brian Kay.
The disc opens with the traditional Christmas spiritual,
Rise up
Shepherd and Follow, here arranged by the New York-born composer
and conductor Carl Davis.
This presents an unusual but gloriously
refreshing start. While the King’s Singers capture the swing
of this spiritual well, immediately apparent is their usual breathy,
closely-miked tone.
One notes that this live recording omits much of the applause and
audience noises. Overall, sound is good. This is, however, with exception
of the last two tracks,
Jingle Bells and
Deck the Hall with
Boughs of Holly, in which one can hear audience laughter and applause
at the very end. This is a mild irritation.
The ensemble is excellent, as one might expect - as is intonation
and communication. In
Gaudete, which is taken from a collection
of sacred songs, published in 1582 by Reverend Theodoric Petri of
Nyland, one finds particularly good enunciation and articulation.
The disc also includes a sound rendition of the lovely
Gabriel’s
Message, an English Christmas song by Edgar Pettman, based on
a traditional Basque tune. Also pleasing is
O Little One Sweet,
which
employs an English version of the traditional German song
O Jesulein
Süss and includes an effective harmonisation by J. S. Bach;
the words are by Percy Dearmer. I was less impressed with
Noël
Nouvelet, the arrangement of which does nothing to enhance what
is a rather lovely song unadorned. Bob Chilcott’s arrangement
of
What Child is This,
which
sets the text to the
melody of
Greensleeves is also disappointing - here, the King’s
Singers’ “do-do-dos” make a predictable but unwelcome
appearance. Likewise, the beautiful and simple melody of
Lullay
my Liking is here presented in an overly-complicated arrangement
that obscures the beauty of the basic tune. Such arrangements may
well show off the not-inconsiderable talent and skill of the King’s
Singers (and also the arranger), yet they are not nearly as effective
or as moving as the traditional tunes. The arrangement of
Joy to
the World is also more complicated than it needs to be. Sadly,
there is no information about this popular Christmas hymn in the liner-notes.
The booklet itself is attractively presented, and includes words as
well as rather brief notes from the artists on the works. I was a
little disturbed, however, to find Pettman referred to as Pettiman
throughout - in both track-listings and the notes.
The CD concludes with a lively rendition of some traditional Christmas
carols - and at this juncture, I’ll stop being a Scrooge and
say that
Jingle Bells is actually really quite good fun!
Em Marshall-Luck
See also review by
Rob
Barnett
Track listing
Traditional, arr. Carl DAVIS (b.1936) Rise
up, Shepherd, and Follow [2.40]
Edgar PETTMAN (1866-1943) Gabriel’s Message [2.43]
Traditional, arr. Philip LAWSON (b.1957) Noël
Nouvelet [2.25]
Traditional/William CHATTERTON DIX (1837-1898), arr. Bob
CHILCOTT (b.1955) What Child is This? [3.17]
Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893), arr. Jeremy LUBBOCK
The Crown of Roses [3.06]
Traditional (harmonised by J. S. Bach) O Little One Sweet
[2.17]
Philip LAWSON (b.1957) Lullay my Liking [4.25]
Franz GRUBER (1787-1863)/Joseph MOHR (1792-1848), arr. John RUTTER
(b. 1945) Stille Nacht [3.22]
June COLLIN/James MORGAN The Quiet Heart [2.29]
John RUTTER (b.1945) There is a Flower [3.43]
Lowell MASON (1792-1872)/Isaac WATTS (1674-1748), arr. Philip
LAWSON (b.1957) Joy to the World [2.32]
Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Sérénade
D’hiver [5.17]
Traditional, arr. Geoffrey KEATING and featuring John
Julius Norwich’s A Correspondence. The Twelve Days
of Christmas [9.02]
Traditional, arr. Brian KAY (b.1944) Gaudete
[1.37]
Traditional, arr. Geoffrey KEATING God Rest You Merry
Gentleman [2.57]
Katherine K. DAVIS (1892-1980)/Henry ONORATI/Harry SIMEONE
(1911-2005), arr. John McCARTHY The Little Drummer
Boy
James LORD PIERPONT (1822-1893), arr. Gordon LANGFORD (b.1930)
Jingle Bells [1.30]
Traditional/Thomas OLIPHANT (1799-1873), arr. Gordon
LANGFORD (b.1930) Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly
[2.29]
