The Parley Of Instruments, Psalmody, Peter Holman - Nativity: Christmas Music From Georgian England

Tuesday 4th November 2003
The Parley Of Instruments, Psalmody, Peter Holman - Nativity: Christmas Music From Georgian England
The Parley Of Instruments, Psalmody, Peter Holman - Nativity: Christmas Music From Georgian England

STYLE: Classical
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 8962-
LABEL: Hyperion CDA67443
FORMAT: CD Album

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

A merry collection of traditional carols containing some pleasant surprises.
No doubt most of us have an idea of what makes a “traditional” Christmas carol service but, when we look at the dates, we find that most of our favourites are Victorian or newer. So what did the Victorians consider a traditional carol? This splendid collection gives us some answers. A list of titles would only confuse the issue, as we would think we recognise many of them. “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, for example, is present. We know the tune (“Adeste Fidelis”) but the words here are not those found in my hymnbook. They are good and well worth reviving but would take most of us by surprise. We could give other examples but that might spoil the fun. Phrases, both lyrical and musical that are now found elsewhere, occur in unexpected places. The arrangements are simple, as befits the roots of these songs. Peter Holman and team rightly avoid the temptation of following the authentic route complete with Mummerset accents and out of tune instruments and give us straightforward and joyous renditions.

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