This is the third and,
in view of their imminent disbanding,
perhaps the last Christmas CD from Anonymous
4. I missed their second such disc,
Legends of St. Nicholas (Harmonia
Mundi HMU 907232) but greatly admire
its predecessor, On Yoolis Night
(HMU 907099). Let me say straightaway
that anyone familiar with either of
those CDs, or indeed any other by the
group can rest assured that their high
standards of performance and practical
scholarship are fully maintained in
this new release.
As well as the vocal
items there are three instrumental solos
from Andrew Lawrence-King, one played
on each of the three instruments he
employs in this programme. There is
nice variety in his solos, ranging from
the gentle A Scots lilt to the
toe-tapping Reel of Tullochgorum.
Elsewhere the accompaniments he provides
to several of the vocal numbers unfailingly
enhance the vocal line.
There is much singing
of great beauty. One small cavil, however.
Just occasionally I felt the music required
a more robust approach. This is particularly
the case with the very first track,
Awake, and join the cheerful choir.
The notes tell us that the carol,
a gallery carol, "probably created
quite a robust impression." Not
here! Indeed, I wonder if any gallery
carol has ever received so beautiful
a performance – but does this match
the spirit?
However, for the most
part chastely beautiful singing fits
the music perfectly. Among the gems
are An teicheadh go hÉigipt
(track 13), an Irish carol, sung
in its original language. It’s so free
rhythmically and melodically that it
sounds like an improvisation yet the
setting has a dark and plangent beauty
that is memorable. There are also carols
in Welsh, a lovely, flowing melody (track
16) and in Cornish (track 18).
One surprise is The
holly and the ivy where the tradition
refrain ("O the rising of the sun")
is nowhere to be heard. Instead what
we are used to as the first verse becomes
the refrain.
Although most of the
music here speaks to us from many centuries
ago there are five contemporary items
also. Those by Benjamin Britten and
John Tavener need little introduction
and some may also have heard Richard
Rodney Bennett’s carol before. However,
I have never heard the Tavener sung
by high voices only. This treatment
is most effective, investing Tavener’s
harmonies with their full piquancy and
making the carol more than ever a "Song
of Innocence." The carol by Peter
Maxwell Davies is brand new, having
been partly commissioned by Anonymous
4 and first performed by them in November
2002. It is a spare, austere but very
subtle and well-varied setting of a
recent poem by George Mackay Brown;
a Hebridean poet whose texts I think
Davies has set before. This is not an
easy listen but it is most imaginative
and well worth repeated hearing. It
sounds extremely taxing but is rendered
with consummate skill by Anonymous 4.
The Geoffrey Burgon item is, like the
Maxwell Davies, receiving its first
recording here. It is more accessible
than its companion. Though effective,
I don’t find it quite as arresting as
the Maxwell Davies.
The release is comprehensively
documented with texts and translations
in German, French and English. There
is a short introductory essay and succinct
notes on each carol. Clearly this CD
is the product of considerable research
and it may be considered definitive.
However, there is never a feeling that
this is a dry academic project. This
is a calming, tranquil celebration of
the festive season and a welcome alternative
to much of our usual Christmas musical
fare. Indeed, some may consider it an
antidote!
This is a Christmas
disc for the connoisseur, I think, and
it is strongly recommended as such.
John Quinn
Anonymous 4 (Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer,
Jacqueline Horner, Johanna Maria Rose)