Search - The New London Children's Choir, The Holst Singers :: Bethlehem / Coventry Nativity Play

Great folksy fun

M. J. Smith | Seattle, WA USA | 03/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Folksy" as a positive attribute. This piece is an adaptation of the Coventry Nativity Play. The music, with a contemporary sound, is a inspired complement - it has a "folk music" sound throughout (if opera can ever sound like folk music). Sprinkled throughout, often as interludes, are carols which are folk music in fact e.g. the Seven Joys of Mary. The orchestration is for a small ensemble - a bit more orchestral than the West Gallery tradition but still in keeping with the "folk feeling".The text also has British touches ... Scene 2 with the shepherds is on "a moor at night", one of the three kings is Merlin ...The preformance is of high quality, solid but not exceptional - but you are unlikely to find multiple recordings of this little gem available simultaneously. So enjoy this one while you may."