Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This is a splendid collection of a cappella choral music although the purchaser needs to be aware that everything has been previously issued. CD one with Uwe Gronostay at the helm is from 2013 and CD two, directed by Christoph Rademann, is from 2002. It is hard to tell the difference between the two: the singing is equally excellent and the audio quality is the same throughout. There is a little bit of duplication so, for example, the setting of 'Silent Night' by Eusebius Mandyczewski (1857-1929) is on both CDs in different recordings with the 2013 version coming in slightly longer. No doubt Mandyczewski enthusiasts will want both but for the rest of us, one is sufficient. Indeed, listeners with any sort of collection of choral music for Christmas will almost certainly have Michael Praetorius' 'In dulce Jubilo' and 'Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen' and while the RIAS Kammerchor's version here is outstanding there are other equally good versions available. Then there are Christmas works by established composers such as - in order of appearance - Arvo Part's 'Magnificat', Francis Poulenc's 'Salve Regina', Edvard Grieg's 'Ave maris stella', and Poulenc's 'Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noel'. All are done well here, very well indeed to be fair, but I have versions of all of them elsewhere in my collection and do not need the duplicates. But, of course, that is me and you may be happy to have a convenient collection instead of having to pull our different CDs once a year. Along with Mandyczewski there are other names that are new to me although I will not embarrass myself by listing them. Collectively, all the composers included are European, mainly dead white males, setting mainly Latin and German texts. We go back as far as Johann Eccard (1553-1611) and typing Johann makes me notice that there is no J. S. or any other Bach in this anthology, presumably because RIAS Kammerchor Berlin have Bach albums elsewhere in their extensive back catalogue. So, sticking with this collection, with 43 pieces spread over more than two hours I cannot say something about all of them. I repeat that the singing, a cappella throughout, is of the highest quality and while the programme reflects what the target audience would expect to hear in a German choir's Christmas repertoire there is much that any general listener can appreciate and enjoy.

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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