CHRISTMAS CAROLS FROM YORK MINSTER
The First Nowell. While shepherds watched their flocks by night. Coventry
Carol. Good King Wenceslas. The Holly and the Ivy. Christians,
awake!. Once in Royal David's City. O come, all ye Faithful.
In Dulci Jubilo. We three Kings of Orient are. Silent Night. Ding Dong! Merrily
on high. God rest you merry, gentlemen. On Christmas Night,
'Sussex Carol'. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Brightest and
best. O leave your sheep. Bethlehem, of noblest cities. Behold, the
Great Creator. It came upon a midnight clear. Good Christian men,
rejoice.
The Choir of York Minster/Francis
Jackson.
Chandos Collect CHAN6632
[71'03]
[ADD]
Crotchet Budget Price
All the usual suspects turn up on this disc. Recorded in 1973 and 76, the
Choir of York Minster under Francis Jackson with an unnamed organist exemplify
the way of the English Cathedral Choir, with clean cut lines and thoughtful,
musical phrasing. The disc opens effectively with the processional The
First Nowell, which builds to an impressive climax.
Highlights of this disc are the Choir's rendition of Silent Night
(an oasis of Yuletide peace), the treble solo in The Holly and the Ivy
despite a moment of uncertainty (soloists are uncredited) and a lively
unaccompanied Ding Dong! Merrily on high.
The programming means that most of the old favourites are over by track 16
(out of 21) and the attention decidedly sags during Bethlehem, of noblest
cities and Behold, the Great Creator. The disc ends with Good Christian
men, rejoice, a variant on In Dulci Jubilo. Unfortunately there
is a rather ungainly bump on the last chord.
Despite these small reservations, however, this is a wonderful CD that will
give you that warm, Christmassy feeling inside.
Reviewer
Colin Clarke
