Christmas Recordings 2014

Johann Friedrich AGRICOLA (1720-1774) Die Hirten bei der Krippe (Christmas Cantatas) - Kölner Akademie/Michael Alexander Willens rec. 2014 CPO 777 921-2 [81:07] [JV] If you are interested in music for Christmastide which is different from what you are used to, don't hesitate.

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Christmas Oratorio - Monteverdi Ch, English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec. 1999 EUROARTS 2045094 Blu-ray [198:00] [KM] Gardiner is one of the finest interpreters of Bach’s vocal music, but don’t pay extra for the Blu-Ray.

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Christmas Oratorio - Monteverdi Ch, English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec. 1999 EUROARTS DVD 2045098 [2 DVDs: 142:00  + bonus 56:00] [JQ] A splendid and very satisfying account of Bach’s great Christmas present to music-lovers.

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Weihnachtsoratorium (highlights) - St. Thomas Boys Ch, Leipzig Gewandhaus O/Georg Christoph Biller rec. 2009 RONDEAU ROP4042 [65:48] [GPJ] A thoroughly enjoyable CD, and a useful ‘taster’ for the complete recording, with superb singing from the choir.

Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (c.1525-1594) Missa Hodie Christus natus est, O magnum mysterium, Christe redemptor omnium, Magnificat primi toni - Westminster Cathedral Ch/Martin Baker rec. 2003 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55367 [78:20] [ST] A sense of swing and ebullience matched with moments of serious contemplation. Hyperion have done a very good job of capturing the live-ness of this acoustic.

John RUTTER (b.1947) The John Rutter Songbook rec. 1994-2014 DECCA CLASSIC FM CFMD36 [76:22 + 73:42] [GPJ] Christmas carols, folk-songs, craftily arranged Beatles tunes – they’re all here. Rutter Heaven for his many, many fans and admirers throughout the musical world. Enjoy.

Heinrich SCHÜTZ (1585-1672) Weihnachts-Historie, Kleiner geistliche Konzerte - Concerto Vocale/René Jacobs rec. 1989 HARMONIA MUNDI MUSIQUE D’ABORD HMA1951310 [50:52] [ST] Now that Harmonia Mundi have re-released Jacobs’ 1989 recording at super budget price this festive season is a good time to get to know Schütz’s Weihnachts-Historie.

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker - Bergen PO/Neeme Järvi rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHSA5144 SACD [84:12] [DM] I wouldn’t want to find this in my Christmas stocking; simply dreadful.

Pyotr Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker - Liudmila Konovalova, Vladimir Shishov, Wiener Staatsoper/Paul Connelly C MAJOR Blu-ray 718304 [102:00] [RMay] A concept that has polarised critical opinion for decades.

Pyotr Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) & Yvan TALBOT A nutcracker - Choreography by Bouba Landrille Tchouda, Compagnie Malka ARTHAUS MUSIK Blu-ray 108121 [70:00] [RMay] No doubt a substantial proportion of children will love this. As for their parents, I suspect, they will be more than slightly bemused.

4 Girls 4 Harps at Christmas rec. 2013 DISCOVERY MUSIC AND VISION DMV107 [58.37] [CF] Four talented artists, technically superb playing delivered with a wide range of attractive colours. Play it while decking the halls or the Christmas tree.

Candlelight Carols Jacqueline Kerrod (harp) Seraphic Fire/Patrick Dupré Quigley rec. 2013 SERAPHIC FIRE MEDIA SFMCD14 [49:48] [DM] Lean festive fare that’s not without nourishment; fine performances and decent sound.

Carols from King’s Ch King’s College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury rec. 2013 KING’S COLLEGE DVD KGS0008 [74:06] [BW] One or more of King’s CD or DVD recordings should be high on your Christmas list.

Carols from the Old and New Worlds - Vol. 3 Chamber Ch Ireland/Paul Hillier rec. 2012-14 HARMONIA MUNDI HMU807610 SACD [60:05] [BW] Familiar music, mostly in unfamiliar arrangements, and unfamiliar works form an attractive offering.

Carols from the Old and New Worlds - Vol. 3 Chamber Ch Ireland/Paul Hillier rec. 2012-14 HARMONIA MUNDI HMU807610 SACD [60:05] [JQ] An excellent Christmas anthology, expertly performed and thoughtfully assembled.

Christmas a Cappella I & II - Musica Sacra/Indra Hughes rec. 2001/7 ATOLL ACD501/207 [65:36 & 61:43] If the repertoire appeals, well worth considering for your Christmas listening.

Christmas Music Christ Church Cathedral Ch, Oxford/Stephen Darlington NIMBUS NI7096 [75:42] [JF] Singing impressive; choice of programme inspiring.

Christmas Music Christ Church Cathedral Ch, Oxford/Stephen Darlington NIMBUS NI7096 [75:42] [BW] None of the usual Christmas fare but a very attractive compilation.

Christmas in Naples Gaetano VENEZIANO (1656 - 1719) Notturni, Pastorale Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Sinfonias - Jenny Hogström (soprano) Filippo Mineccia (alto) Kevin Skelton (tenor) Marc Pantus (bass) Ens Odyssee/Andrea Friggi rec. 2014 PAN CLASSICS PC10307 [71:06] [JV] Veneziano's works are well worth hearing.

On Christmas Night Includes Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) A Ceremony of Carols Charles Matthews (organ), Sally Price (harp) Armonico Consort/Christopher Monks rec. 2011 SIGNUM SICGD386 [69.53] [PCG] If you want this particular programme it is hard to imagine it being better performed.

Christmas with the Shepherds The Marian Consort/Rory McCleery DELPHIAN DCD34145 [62:55] [JQ] A gentle, reflective and very satisfying musical celebration of Christmas with the Marian Consort.

Dormi Jesu A Caius Christmas - Ch Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge/Geoffrey Webber rec. 2011 DELPHIAN DCD34152 [63:28] [JQ] A lovely musical Christmas hamper.

Dormi Jesu A Caius Christmas - Ch Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge/Geoffrey Webber rec. 2011 DELPHIAN DCD34152 [63.28] [GH] A super ensemble moulded to deliver a specific and warm sound.

Favourite Carols from King's Ch King's College Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury rec. 2014 KING'S COLLEGE KGS0007 [78:11] [JQ] A generous selection of mostly traditional seasonal fare satisfyingly performed.

Favourite Carols from King's Ch King's College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury rec. 2014  KING'S COLLEGE KGS0007 [78:11] [ST] What’s not to like? Worthy of a place on any Christmas shelf.

In Dulci Jubilo Christmas Organ Music - Norbert Düchtel (organ) rec. 2010 TYXART TXA13027 [60:40] [BW] Something different and soothing for Christmas.

Joy and Gladness in Abundance Ute Engelke (soprano) Elisabeth Schwanda (recorder) Ulfert Schmidt (organ) rec. 2014 RONDEAU ROP6095 [65:49] [JV] This disc is a rather disappointing affair.

Lux de caelo Music for Christmas - Ch Clare College Cambridge, Dmitri Ens/Graham Ross HARMONIA MUNDI HMU907615 [68:05] An intriguing and enticing Christmas programme that dares to be different [JQ] A very fine successor to earlier Advent and Passiontide recordings from this choir [BW].

Lux de caelo Music for Christmas - Ch Clare College, Cambridge; Dmitri Ens/Graham Ross rec. 2013 HARMONIA MUNDI HMU907615 [68:05] [ST] Plenty here to celebrate.

Nordic Winter and Christmas Songs Gitta-Maria Sjöberg (soprano) Dorthe Zielke (trumpet) Tobias Durholm (violin) Lindy Rosborg (organ) DANACORD DACOCD755 [64:54] [JF] This is an attractive release that features a largely unknown repertoire, at least to listeners outside Scandinavia.

The Promise of Ages A Christmas Collection - Taverner Consort & Ch/Andrew Parrott, New London Chamber Ch & Henrietta Barnett School Ch rec. 1998 AVIE AV2291 [62:17] [JF] Extremely difficult to take as a whole but individually it has a number of excellent pieces which deserve exploration.

Sing Thee Nowell New York Polyphony rec. 2014 BIS BIS2099 SACD [71:17] [JQ] An immaculately performed Christmas programme from New York Polyphony.

Stille Nacht RIAS Kammerchor/Uwe Gronostay rec. 1972-86 AUDITE 97.711 [74:34] [ST] Pleasant but lacking in impact for all the quality of the choral singing.

That’s What I Love About Christmas Stephen Mougin, Jana Mougin, Annie Sellick (vocals) RLM CD1005 [34:41] [BMC] A nice addition to a home holiday music collection.

Transeamus English Carols and Motets - Hilliard Ensemble rec. 2012 ECM NEW SERIES 4811106/2408 [67:42] [JQ] The Hilliard Ensemble’s final disc sees them finish their recording career in fine style.

Venetian Christmas Works by Hasse, Perotti, Torelli & Vivaldi - Ruby Hughes (soprano) Ewa Golinska (violin), Komalé Akakpo (psaltery) Arte dei Suonatori/Martin Gester rec. 2013 BIS BIS2089 SACD [74:40] [JV] The connection to Christmas seems rather loose but this remains a most interesting and musically rewarding production.

Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her Christmas Organ Music - Michael Hartmann (organ) rec. 2012 OEHMS OC865 [71:35] [ST] Why not give this a go for a less normal take on the Christmas CD?