Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

There is a great deal to enjoy in this release of new songs reflecting both the sacred and seasonal aspects of Christmas from the talented L'Estrange family. The lion's share comes from Joanna Forbes L'Estrange with contributions from husband Alexander and their son Harry, whose setting of 'O Virgo Virginum' stands comparison with anything on the disc. The first half of the collection focuses on Advent and Christmas, rightly putting Jesus at the heart of things. We open with a new setting of the Advent antiphons, those ancient statements of faith in the vocative case so all beginning with an O, followed by a look back to the Hebrew scriptures with 'Isaiah's Prophecy' based on chapter nine, verse two. Both are lively, modern settings of the ancient words and would be welcome additions to many a Christmas carol service. Perhaps one that would be more challenging to introduce to typical congregations is a new tune for the old favourite that is Christina Rosetti's beautiful 'In the Bleak Midwinter'. This new tune, featuring Olivia Jageurs on harp, is well worth hearing but this listener still finds himself humming Holst's tune - but perhaps that's just me. The second half of the collection continues the theme of light triumphing over darkness and takes a more oblique look at the old, old story. So, in 'A Present For The Future' we focus on the gifts of the magi and 'The Three Wise Women' (Mary, Elizabeth and Anna: "one young, one middle-aged, and one old") all played their part and are sometimes forgotten in modern re-tellings. 'Green Christmas' and 'Spring Will Come Again' may well be of interest to choirs who want modern songs that are not too 'churchy' and throughout the second half of the album we get jazz and folk styles as well as more traditional choral music. The concluding 'Auld Lang Syne' uses an arrangement that Joanna used when she was Musical Director of the Swingle Singers and if it is good enough for the Swingles then it is good enough for any choir. Whenever I hear anything by Joanna Forbes L'Estrange I immediately think of the village choir with which I sing as her music is so accessible and tuneful that I know our audience will enjoy hearing. In that respect I predict that the next generation of choirs and their audiences will come to regard Joanna Forbes L'Estrange as a natural and worthy successor to the great Sir John Rutter. All the singing, from Ben Parry's London Voices, is first class and any listener who wants to explore something new this Christmas will not be disappointed with 'Winter Light'.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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