TRADITIONAL
A Christmas Present from Polyphony Polyphony Stehpen Layton (conductor) with City of London Sinfonia [ Hyperion / CD - released 25/Nov/2005 ] 'Stephen Layton directs the performances and deserves major credit for the very high standards evident on this compilation' (BBC Music Magazine) |
TRADITIONAL
Medieval Christmas Pro Cantione Antiqua / Mark Brown, with English Medieval Wind Ensemble [ ALTO / CD - released 10/Dec/2010 ] "A spicy Christmas feast, from a time when classic and folk music mixed. There was little difference in the popular music of the church or the tavern! Often more Chaucer than Christian… A lively record to sit back and enjoy! The attraction of the... |
TRADITIONAL
Stille Nacht - German Christmas Carols RIAS Kammerchor / Uwe Gronostay [ Harmonia Mundi Gold / CD - released 20/Sep/2009 ] "a very classy alternative to Carols from Kings." The Independent on Sunday |
TRADITIONAL
Puer Natus Est: Tudor Music for Advent & Christmas Stile Antico [ Harmonia Mundi SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 20/Sep/2010 ] "I can only urge you to acquire this exceptionally fine disc and let the radiance of the music and the performances illuminate your Christmas." Recording of the Month MusicWeb Dec 2010 |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
The Christmas Story Theatre of Voices / Ars Nova Copenhagen / Paul Hillier [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 19/Sep/2011 ] Inspired by the much-loved service of 'Nine Lessons and Carols' given every Christmas Eve, this recording presents the Nativity story told through plainchant, motets, 17th Century dialogues and traditional folk carols. |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachts Oratorium) Werner Gura, Klaus Hager, Dorothea Roschmann, Andreas Scholl / Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, Rene Jacobs [ Harmonia Mundi / 2 CD - released 14/Feb/2006 ] "A handsome package matched by a lively interpretation" (BBC Music) |
Various Artists
The Best Ever: Christmas [ Rhino / 2 CD - released 15/Nov/2017 ] The Best Ever Christmas collection features 40 seasonal favourites in an amazing value package. It includes a selection of classic songs from huge artists such as Chris Rea, East 17, Frankie Valli and The Overtones. |
TRADITIONAL
Christmas with the Academy Academy & Chorus of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner [ Decca Australian Eloquence / CD - released 1/Nov/2012 ] The story of the birth of Jesus more than two thousand years ago has been the source of inspiration for countless poets and musicians, as well as practitioners of other forms of art. The infant, born of a virgin in a lowly cattle shed, because there... |
Andre Rieu
The Christmas I Love [ Universal / CD - released 17/Dec/2012 ] The Christmas I Love is a lovely collection of standard Christmas carols and holiday-themed classical pieces performed by "the Waltz King of PBS," Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra. It's an understated and enchanting collection of holiday... |
TRADITIONAL
On Yoolis Night: Medieval Carols & Motets for Christmas Anonymous 4 [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 12/Nov/2012 ] "A truly superior recording…a sound of uncommon purity and beauty." CD Review |
TRADITIONAL
Sacrum Mysterium: A Celtic Christmas Vespers [CD & DVD] Jeannette Sorrell (harpsichord & conductor) & Meredith Hall (soprano) / Apollo's Fire [ Avie / 2 CD/DVD - released 5/Nov/2012 ] "This type of fusion is increasingly popular, and Apollo's Fire do it enthusiastically, if perhaps without the final degree of finessed musicality that other ensembles bring to this type of project" (BBC Music) |
CHARPENTIER
Noels and Christmas Motets Aradia Ensemble / Kevin Mallon [ Naxos / CD - released 18/Oct/2009 ] "The Canadian vocal and instrumental Aradia Ensemble, under its director Kevin Mallon, performs stylishly and with sensibility." - Classic FM, Jan 2000 |
J.S. BACH
Weihnachtskantaten (Christmas Cantatas) Arleen Auger (soprano) Ortrun Wenkel (contralto) Peter Schreier (ten) Siegfried Lorenz (bass) / Thomanerchor Leipzig Neues / Bachisches Collegium [ Berlin Classics Basics / CD - released 10/Mar/2008 ] "This disc enters a very crowded and competitive field. However, unless you're allergic to Bach played on modern instruments these well-turned performances under one of Bach's successors at St. Thomas's, Leipzig are well worth considering, especially... |
CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS
Saint-Saens: Oratorio de Noel - Christmas Oratorio Bachchor & Bachorchester Mainz [ Profil / CD - released 1/Jan/2005 ] |
J.S. BACH
Sacred Works: Masses BWV 232-236 / Christmas Oratorio, BWV248 Soloists / Collegium Vocale, Ghent, Philippe Herreweghe [ Virgin Classics / 6 CD Box Set - released 20/Oct/2011 ] "the four Lutheran Masses have been absurdly undervalued because they were largely revamped from earlier cantatas. But who could resist the singing of Gerard Lesne, the invigorating Kyrie of the F major Mass, the G major's tenor aria with oboe... |
TRADITIONAL
The Cambridge Singers Christmas Album The Cambridge Singers with Stephen Varcoe (baritone); The City of London Sinfonia; directed by John Rutter [ Collegium / CD - released 20/Nov/2003 ] "Rutter has become the musical equivalent of Dickens, synonymous with the season of Christmas." Guardian |
HOLST / MENDELSSOHN / TRADITIONAL
Christmas With Canterbury Cathedral Girls' Choir Canterbury Cathedral Girls' Choir [ Decca / CD - released 1/Dec/2017 ] This is the debut album from the first ever girls' choir at historic Canterbury Cathedral. This album marks the first time that girls have been allowed to sing in an official capacity over the 1,400 year history of Canterbury Cathedral |
GEOFFREY BUSH
A Christmas Cantata Cardiff Polyphonic Choir and Orchestra [ Saydisc / CD - released 1/Nov/2008 ] The highly regarded Cardiff Polyphonic Choir and Orchestra perform the first commercial recording of Geoffrey Bush's beautiful work "A Christmas Cantata". This popular work features well-known carols in a setting for choir with string orchestra and... |
The Carpenters
Christmas Collection [ A & M / 2 CD - released 27/Nov/2020 ] How about snowy days and Mondays? The soft, soothing sounds of Karen and Richard Carpenter are perfectly suited to a white Christmas with a crackling fire; here are their Christmas Portrait ('78) and An Old Fashioned Christmas ('84) LPs, together in... |
TRADITIONAL
A Feast of Christmas Carols [4 CDs] The Cathedral Choirs of Durham, Norwich, Southwark and York Minster [ Priory / 4 CD Box Set - released 10/Dec/2010 ] Featuring the famous cathedral choirs of Durham, Norwich, Southwark and York Minsister. Over four hours playing time. |