DCD34075-CD

Into this world this day did come: carols contemporary & medieval

A typically intriguing and unusual programme from the Choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, combining English works from the twelfth to sixteenth centuries with medievally inspired carols by some of our finest living composers.

From the plangent innocence of William Sweeney’s The Innumerable Christ to the shining antiphony of Diana Burrell’s Creator of the Stars of Night, this selection will seduce and enchant. The choral singing combines polish with verve, and director Geoffrey Webber’s meticulous attention to detail is floodlit by the bathing acoustics of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.

"There are many highlights but Williams Sweeney's Scots dialect setting 'The Innumerable Christ' stands out for its daring other-worldliness, as do Stuart MacRae's bold re-imagining of 'Adam lay y-bounden'…and the lilting soprano duet 'Edi beo thu'"

"This collection is the perfect stocking-filler for those weary of traditional repertoire."

"Geoffrey Webber's approach to seasonal repertoire with the Gonville & Caius College Choir favours an austere, classical beauty to illuminate the connections between older medieval carols and new material...It's the modern pieces, by such as Howard Skempton, Judith Bingham and Diana Burrell, which shine."

"This is one of the most original and enterprising Christmas discs to have come my way in a long time. Intelligently planned and superbly executed it can be recommended most warmly to all choral music collectors who have an enquiring ear."

"Those who enjoy exploring back in time and those who like the challenges of contemporary choral singing will both find much to appreciate on this excellent collection."

CROSSRHYTHMS

Producer: Paul Baxter
Recording venues: St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
Recording dates: 3-5 July 2009
Physical format: Jewel case
Number of discs: 1
Number of tracks: 20
Release date: 19 October 2009
Album ID: DCD34075
Total playing time: 1:15:28

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