Christmas Music



Composers: Byrd, Esteves, Mathias, Palestrina, Poulenc, Shepperd, Taverner
Released: 2014
Label: Nimbus
Code: NI7096 Nimbus 2014


Description

Christmas is a time when we celebrate long-held traditions: family gatherings, exchanges of presents, snow-covered scenes and images of the baby Jesus lying in a crib surrounded by the adoring shepherds, wise men and Mary and Joseph. Music is a crucial part of this annual festival. There is no shortage of Christmas carol repertoire recorded by Christ Church Cathedral Choir on the Nimbus label, but in this selection we have decided to bring together music that reflects some different aspects of the season. This is music to lift the spirits and transport the listener into a world of mystery.


Tracklisting

1 Byrd (1543-1623) – A solis ortus cardine 4.39
Mathias (1934-1992) – Ave Rex – A Carol Sequence Op. 45
2 I Ave Rex 2.32
3 II Alleluya, A new work is come on hand 1.44
4 III There is no rose of such virtue 4.37
5 IV Sir Christèmas 3.00
6 Taverner (1490-1545) – Mater Christi sanctissima 7.09
7 Byrd – Hodie Christus natus est 2.18
8 Byrd – O magnum misterium 5.48
9 Byrd – Puer natus est nobis 5.15
10 Shepperd – (c1515-c1559) – Gaude, gaude, gaude Maria 12.31
11 Poulenc (1899-1963) -Salve Regina 4.56
12 Palestrina (c1525-1594) -Magnificat (Sexti Toni à 6) 11.47
13 Esteves (c1700-1751) -Beata Dei Genitrix 3.37
14 Esteves – Verbum caro factum est 5.37

Total playing time 75.42