A voice teacher and early music fan
George Peabody | Planet Earth | 12/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
""LOVE AT FIRST SOUND"
And the first sound is a charming pair of 14th century hymns; delightful indeed to the listening ear: "Ovet mundus laetabundus" (Let the joyful earth exult...) a hymn in celebration of the Virgin Birth. AND "Virgo Maria partem parit filia" (The Virgin Mary, although a daughter, bears a father..) This hymn to the Virgin recalls her great privelege in being chosen to bear the son of God.
The King's Singers are nothing, if not VARIOUS. In saying this in a record review, a distinguished critic hit on the one characteristic of the King's Singers which surely has endeared them to their audiences more than any other. On this record of Christmas Music they present a collection which, in many ways, reflects their entire output, containing as it does a wide variety of styles. The Singer's repertoire ranges from simple 14th century up to the widest possible limits of comtemporary music. (The list of selections on this disc is listed underneath the CD listing.)
To mention a few others that took my attention was the 'Hodie Christus natus est' by William Byrd. This is so different than anything I have in my personal Byrd collection which is quite extensive; it literally 'bubbles' with 'Glory to God in the Highest for on thie day Christ was Born'. Others on the first half of the recording, all of which I enjoyed are the well-known 'Riu,riu, chiu' Spanish origin, 'Quid petis, o fili?' (What do you want my son?) 16th century, 'Natus est nobis' (Unto us is born this day...)Victoria, and 'Pasotores loquebantur' (The Sheperds said one to another,,,,) Guerrero.
The last half of the recording tends to familiar such as 'Deck the Hall' riotous, comedic, varied vocal sounds, 'Pat-a-pan' rhythmic, quirky, light delivery, two spirituals 'Rise up Shepherd and Follow' very traditional interpretation, 'Mary Had A Baby' also traditional but both include interesting and well-done solo passages.'The Crown of Roses' lush music of Tschaikovsky with a romantic pathos bringing in a reference to the crown of thorns, 'Illuminare Jerusalem' contemporary music set to a 14th century melody by Stephen Dodgeson, and a perfectly lovely contemporary 'Morning -song for the Christ Child' by Coveli/Sculthorpe, and a clever arrangement of 'The Lord At First did Adam Make' traditional arranged by Christopher Broadbent-Bowers.
Although the variety of songs on this album makes it very desirable to the person looking for the unusual and for music that has not been sung over and over and over again, and this is exactly why I tried this disc. And I'm very glad that I did. It was recorded in 1973 and remastered in 1991, and the six singers on it are very much to my liking. The personnel in this groups changes frequently, so there are some good years and some not so good as I have indicated in some of my reviews. The singers on this disc are: Nigel Perrin, Alastair Hume (countertenors), Alastair Thompson (tenor), Anthony Holt and Simon Carrington (baritones) and Brian Kay (bass) good singer all!!!
This was a good year for the KIng's Singers. Unfortunately the liner notes are skimpy and there is no text for the songs, and although I would have liked to have them, with this album I can live without them."
