Choirs and orchestras join for a beautiful celebration of 20th-century British Christmas favourites recorded in sumptuous Argo sound. Book-ended by two perennial favourites – Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Finzi’s In terra pax – this collection explores the subtle and radiant music of Howells, Warlock, Ireland and Holst, and includes an orchestral number popularised by Beecham, Delius’ Sleigh Ride. A magical Christmas journey!
1 VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasia on Christmas Carols
2 HOWELLS: A Spotless Rose
3 WARLOCK: Lullaby my Jesus
4 WARLOCK: Balulalow
5 WARLOCK: Benedicamus Domino
6 HOWELLS: Sing Lullaby
7 IRELAND: The Holy Boy
8 HOLST (arr.): Christmas Song (Personet hodie)
9 WARLOCK: Bethlehem Down
11 DELIUS (ed. Beecham): Sleigh Ride (Winter Night)
12 TRADITIONAL (arr. Williams): Wassail Song
13 VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: The Blessed Son of God
14 FINZI: In terra pax
Choir of Winchester Cathedral
Waynflete Singers
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
David Hill
Recording producer: Chris Hazell
Recording engineers: Simon Eadon, Philip Siney
Recording location: Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire, UK, January 1994
‘Toss aside the ‘pop Christmas’ rubbish and enjoy take a magical journey towards a true Christmas Fantasy’ Review on Amazon.com