Reviewed by Steven Whitehead One of the strengths of British choral music is the reliable and seemingly unending stream of new material written for the top choirs of our cathedrals and Oxbridge colleges. This enjoyable album features world premiere recordings of contemporary Christmas carols from the latter half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st, performed by The Choir Of Worcester College, Oxford under the direction of Stephen Farr. It includes a world premiere recording by Hafliði HallgrÃmsson (born 1941) entitled "Joseph And The Angel", which was written specially for this album. Also included are other world premiere recordings by leading composers including Peter Maxwell Davies, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Richard Allain, Matthew Martin, Gabriel Jackson, Judith Bingham, Cecilia McDowall and Thomas Hyde. Other works include Anthony Piccolo's "I Look From Afar", John McCabe's "Mary Laid Her Child", Malcolm Williamson's "This Christmas Night", Geoffrey Bush's "'Twas In The Year That King Uzziah Died", Elisabeth Lutyens's "Nativity", Edmund Rubbra's "Let Us Securely Enter" and two works by Kenneth Leighton, the choral piece "O Leave Your Sheep" and "Veni Redemptor - A Celebration" for solo organ, here played by Stephen Farr. Chances are you won't hear many of these pieces this Christmas, unless you attend or tune in to one of the more prestigious Christmas concerts but perhaps one will be picked up by, say, King's College and then work its way down the choral line to the many amateur choirs with which we are blessed. However I would be hugely surprised if any make it to be used by congregations unless a Rutter or some other populariser makes an arrangement that the less talented amongst us can manage to sing. Yes, much of the writing on this release is challenging for the singers but The Choir of Worcester College, Oxford rises to it and give a stunning performance, ably captured by producer/engineer Adam Binks. If you have any interest in contemporary choral music this is a must-hear and if you are looking for new music for Christmas this is an excellent choice.
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Since I reviewed this The Daily Telegraph made it classical CD of the week