Calkin / Westminster Concert Bell Choir - An English Christmas - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

'Ring in the Holidays' with the joyous sounds of Christmas performed on the world's largest range of handbells. The Westminster Concert Handbell Choir is one if America's leading handbell ensemble and has appeared on the Today Show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and the broadcast of the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center. Merry Christmas to All! Album Tracks 1. Ukrainian Bell Carol 2. O Come, All Ye Faithful 3. Angel Tidings 4. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring 5. Esurientes 6. Ave Maria 7. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 8. Still, Still, Still 9. While By My Sheep 10. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 11. We Three Kings 12. Farandole 13. Marche 14. Danse Arabe 15. Valse Des Fleurs 16. Troika 17. White Christmas 18. Stille Nacht

The Sixteen contrasts traditional with contemporary in this choral feast of festive music. Bob Chilcott's sumptuous Advent Antiphons based on plainsong melodies anticipate the coming of Christmas and feature alongside Mykola Leontovich's much-loved Carol of the Bells, Richard Rodney Bennett's stunning Susanni and Eric Whitacre's shimmering Lux aurumque. Interspersed with the beautiful simplicity of traditional carols, this is a Christmas collection to savor. Harry Christophers stands among today's great champions of choral music. In partnership with The Sixteen, the ensemble he founded almost 40 years ago, he has set benchmark standards for the performance of everything from late medieval polyphony to important new works by contemporary composers. His international influence is supported by more than 150 recordings and has been enhanced by his work as Artistic Director of Boston's Handel and Haydn Society and as guest conductor worldwide. The Sixteen's soundworld, rich in tonal variety and expressive nuance, reflects Christophers' determination to create a vibrant choral instrument from the blend of adult professional singers. Under his leadership The Sixteen has established it's annual Choral Pilgrimage to cathedrals, churches and other UK venues, created the Sacred Music series for BBC television, and developed an acclaimed period-instrument orchestra. Highlights of their recent work include an Artist Residency at Wigmore Hall, a large-scale tour of Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610, and the world premiere of James MacMillan's Symphony No. 5, 'Le grand Inconnu'; their future projects, meanwhile, comprise a new series devoted to Purcell and an ongoing survey of Handel's dramatic oratorios.

Album Tracks 1. Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Part I Jauchzet, Frohlocket 2. Recitative When Jesus, Our Lord - Trio Say, Where Is He Born 3. Chorus There Shall a Star 4. Part I Recitative There Were Shepherds Abiding - Chorus Glory to God 5. Part I For Unto Us a Child Is Born 6. Part II Hallelujah 7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Arr. L. Woodruff) 8. Boar's Head Carol 9. The Shepherd's Carol 10. How Far Is It to Bethlehem 11. O Little Town of Bethlehem 12. Sussex Carol 13. Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head 14. Good Christian Men, Rejoice 15. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear 16. Now Is Born the Divine Christ Child 17. L'enfance Du Christ, Op. 25, Part II The Flight Into Egypt The Shepherd's Farewell to the Holy Family 18. Good King Wenceslas (Arr. L. Woodruff) 19. Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine 20. Wassail Song 21. We Wish You a Merry Christmas