Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This enjoyable CD opens with one of the earliest surviving pieces by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). Having studied at Cambridge and then the Royal College of Music Vaughan Williams suppressed almost all of his student work and so was able to achieve national recognition without any juvenile baggage. His "Fantasia On Christmas Carols" from 1912 was one of his first public successes. It is dedicated to Cecil Sharp, a famous collector of folk songs, which gives a clue as to where Vaughan Williams got his ideas. Towards the end of his career the composer turned again to the Nativity. "Hodie (This Day)" is an interesting mosaic of musical styles set to poetry from a variety of sources. Texts by Milton, Thomas Hardy and George Herbert reflecting different Christmas experiences are bound together by a narration of the Nativity story sung in unison by St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir. The composer moves from less formal songs and lullabies to hymns and choral settings with the Guildford Choral Society and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra rising to the challenge throughout.