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Details
Format: Digital Audio CD
Label: PRO ORGANO
Catalog Number: CD 7200
Length: 64′ 45″
Tracks: 20
Organ: –
Venue: Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City
Recorded: 05/24/2005
Released: 12/05/2005
Producer: Frederick Hohman
Notes Author: Anthem texts only.
Notes Language: English
Graphics Format: 12pp book, traycard, jewel box
UPC #: 636077720024
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American Record Guide “If you didn’t know better, you’d swear that this beguiling holiday program came straight from a leading English cathedral choir on Christmas eve. But wait – there’s a fuller, richer sound to the boy trebles’ voices – and a touch of that telltale Yankee accent. It’s no surprise, then, that we are in fact hearing the choir of New York’s St. Thomas Church – America’s finest exponent of the Anglican choral tradition.”“Pro Organo does right by them, with splendid recorded sonics … This is the best and most authentic Anglican Christmas program I’ve yet heard from a domestic choir. Add it to your collection – and you can prove to your skeptical friends that there’s at least one American choir that can match the Brits at their own game.” – Koob
The American Organist “He (John Scott) and the highly acclaimed choir of 15 men and 24 boys live up to their sterling reputations in this very satisfying program of 20 Christmas favorites. The choir sings with vitality, expression, rhythmic energy and precision. Vocal tone is bright, strong, homogenous, and pure. Scott elicits some fine dynamic shading, resulting in well-defined phrasing. There is fine solo work from both young and mature voices. Jeremy Bruns provides solid, supportive, colorful accompaniments. The eight-member St. Thomas Brass (with two percussionists) adds a festive touch to four pieces…”
The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians – Victor Hill – March 2006
“Here are 20 choral works that one might expect to hear on a British Festival of Lessons and Carols. Items of particular interest are Gerre Hancock’s Arrangement of Infany Holy, Infant Lowly, James Bassi’s lush setting of Quem Pastores Laudavere, a sparking I Saw Three Ships by Simon Preston, John Scott’s own Nova! nova! and the now-classic A Babe is Born by William Mathias. Familiar carols in fine arrangements complete the program.
The singing is simply exquisite, with sensitive phrasing and dynamics, and commendable diction. Recommended especially for lovers of Christmas music who want to hear something more creative than simple harmonizations.
01 • Fanfare and Carol “O come, all ye faithful” (Adeste, fideles) • arr. David Willcocks • 4’24”
02 • Up! good Christen folk, and listen (Piae Cantiones) • harm. G. R. Woodward • 1’20”
03 • Sussex Carol • arr. David Willcocks • 1’44”
04 • Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, Op 75 No 2 • John Gardner • 2’35”
05 • Adam lay ybounden • Boris Ord • 1’18”
06 • A spotless Rose • Herbert Howells • 3’14”
07 • Quelle est cette odeur agréable? (Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing?) • arr. David Willcocks • 3’59”
08 • Infant Holy, Infant Lowly • arr. Gerre Hancock • 2’34”
09 • Quem Pastores Laudavere • James Bassi • 4’8″
10 • Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (Lo, How a Rose E’er Bloooming) • James BassiMichael Praetorius • arr. Jan Sandström • 3’54”
11 • I Saw Three Ships • arr. Simon Preston • 2’11”
12 • Nova! nova! • John Scott • 2’7″
13 • Carol: “Come, thou Redeemer of the earth” • harm. G. R. Woodward • descant by John Scott • 3’54”
14 • In the bleak mid-winter • Harold Darke • 4’25”
15 • The Lamb • John Tavener • 3’34”
16 • Once in royal David’s city • arr. David Willcocks • 4’34”
17 • Sans Day carol • arr. John Rutter • 2’57”
18 • A babe is born, Op 55 • William Mathias • 3’27”
19 • Nativity carol • John Rutter • 4’28”
20 • Hark! the herald-angels sing (with brass fanfare) • arr. David Willcocks • 3’47”
Choir of Saint Thomas Church, John Scott
The Saint Thomas Choir is considered by major critics to be the outstanding choral ensemble of the Anglican musical tradition in the United States today. Besides offering a full annual concert series with orchestra, the Choir of fifteen men and twenty-four boys sings at five weekly principal worship services of the Church, preparing an astounding four hundred pieces of sacred music a year. Learn more…
