Post Description

This is an essential Christmas choral CD. The program itself is fabulous and unique, lacking the tacky "favorites" found on most recordings of this type. Entirely a cappella except for two Rutter arrangements with orchestra. Not a single track is lacking in depth and sincerity. 

Polyphony is one phenomenal choir. For its small size, it has truly unmatched sustaining power and control (demonstrated most astonishingly in Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium and the end of Howells' A Spotless Rose). The only disappointment on the entire disc is Grieg's gorgeous "Ave Maris Stella" in which, for whatever reason, the men sing with a rather unblended and even wobbly sound while the women are almost entirely straight-tone. "Sing Lullaby" by Howells is a priceless gem worth several times the cost of this CD....a powerfully haunting piece performed here to utter perfection and taste. You will also find what is most assuredly the most perfect and definitive recording of "O Magnum Mysterium" to be found anywhere. The balance and length of line this incredibly gifted ensemble achieves in this too-often-performed piece will leave you breathless. 

Thanks to Mr B

Product Details
Audio CD (October 12, 2004) 
SPARS Code: DDD 
Number of Discs: 1 
Format: Import 
Label: Hyperion UK 
ASIN: B00030NU4A 

1. Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night)  
2. Carol-Anthems (3) for chorus: No. 3. Sing Lullaby   
3. Christmas Carols (4) for chorus: All this time 
4. Ave Maris Stella, for double chorus  
5. Die Könige  
6. Magnificat Antiphones (7), for chorus: O Morgenstern 
7. Magnificat, for chorus  
8. Nativity Carol 
9. The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol, folk song for chorus (arranged by Dana Perna) 
10. A Hymn to the Virgin, for double chorus 
11. Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child, for soloist & chorus, Op 25b 
12. Away in a manger (Tune: Cradle Song) (New English Hymnal 22) 
13. O Magnum Mysterium, for chorus  
14. Bethlehem Down, carol for chorus & organ 
15. Carol-Anthems (3) for chorus: No. 2. A Spotless Rose 
16. Chorale on an Old French Carol, for double chorus 
17. What Cheer?, carol arrangement for chorus (Christmas Carols No. 2)  
18. Lullaby my Jesus, for chorus (arr. by Andrew Carter from Capriol Suite) 
19. Shepherd's Pipe Carol  

Polyphony
the following singers took part in these recordings
soprano Joanne Andrews, Emily Benson, Lucy Bowen, Emma Brain-Gabbott, Alicia Carroll, Julie Cooper, Katy Cooper,
Libby Crabtree, Julia Doyle, Rachel Elliott, Joanna Forbes, Amy Haworth, Kirsty Hopkins, Carys Lane, Cecilia Osmond,
Rebecca Outram, Emma Preston-Dunlop, Juliet Schiemann, Elin Thomas, Lucy Winkett
alto Ian Aitkenhead, Robin Blaze, Frances Bourne, James Burton, Patrick Craig, Geoff Cryer, David Gould,
Michael Lees, Ruth Massey, William Missin, Kim Porter, Keith Roberts, Abi Smetham, Susanna Spicer,
Anna Stephany, Robin Tyson, Clare Wilkinson, Tom Williams
tenor Mark Anderson, Matthew Beale, Andrew Carwood, Ashley Catling, Mark Dobell, Jon English,
Richard Eteson, James Gilchrist, Steven Harrold, Rupert Jennings, Andrew Kennedy, Edward Lyon, Nicholas Mulroy,
Daniel Norman, Tom Raskin, Nicholas Todd, Andrew Tortise, Nathan Vale, Simon Wall, Christopher Watson
bass Jonathan Arnold, Matthew Brook, Colin Campbell, Gavin Carr, Christopher Gabbitas, Charles Gibbs,
Paul Grier, Thomas Guthrie, Adrian Hutton, Robert Macdonald, Stuart MacIntyre, Michael McCarthy, Adrian Peacock,
Charles Pott, Robert Rice, Andrew Rupp, Richard Savage, Giles Underwood, Laurence Whitehead

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