Search - The Cambridge Singers :: Christmas with the Cambridge Singers

Joy to the world

FrKurt Messick | Bloomington, IN USA | 09/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Cambridge Singers have made several Christmas albums, and all of them are top notch. This particular one was done in 1989, and has several songs in honour of the Nativity. Their performance was done at one of their regular recording spots, the Great Hall of University College School, London.



--Music--

The music here consists of 21 carols, motets and oratorio choruses. These range from the great 'For unto us a child is born' of G.F. Handel's oratorio 'Messiah' to well known familiar Christmas carols to folk/traditional tunes from France, Canada, Basque, Germany, and England. Composers represented in addition to Handel include Britten, Victoria, Adam, Mason, Sweelinck, Sceidt, Adam, Berlioz, and Cambridge Singers' director, John Rutter, who provides two of his own compositoins, 'Angel's Carol' and 'What sweeter music'.



This is a beautiful recording, with the Cambridge Singers presenting grand voices and good spirit in honour of the Christmas holiday. There is tenderness, vibrancy and light in these songs that remind one both of the power of the Christmas miracle as well as the family emotions that holiday seasons draw forth.



--Liner Notes--

One thing that this has is a brief description of John Rutter and the group itself - it may sound strange to say, but many of their CDs lack these important pieces. This also includes an introduction to the CD, a listing of the tracks with composer, arranger and lyrics. Where lyrics are in other language, an English translation is provided.



--John Rutter--

Rutter was born in London and educated at Clare College, Cambridge. This was where his career as a composer, arranger and conductor began. His early work was with groups at King's College Chapel at Cambridge as well as the Bath Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. He has worked for the BBC providing music for educational series such as 'The Archaeology of the Bible Lands', until in 1979 he began forming the Cambridge Singers, and has continued a remarkable career of performance and recording as their director ever since.



--The Cambridge Singers--

The Cambridge Singers are a mixed choir of voices, many of whom were members of choir of Rutter's college, Clare College, Cambridge. While they specialise in English and Latin liturgical pieces, they have a wide range of recordings that span from modern compositions (including a remarkable requiem by Rutter) to English folk songs of the Middle Ages. Many are former members of the choir of Clare College and other Cambridge collegiate choirs (hence the name, Cambridge Singers). In the quarter-century since the founding, the Cambridge Singers have produced an impressive body of recordings.



Their performance is a wonderful gift for the season.

"

The only Christmas CD ever played in my home

Maree L. Watkins | Fairfax, VA USA | 11/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am pretty picky about my Christmas music, and this CD is the only one I ever need for the holiday season. The division of the CD into joy/peace halves is really nice. Rutter's arrangements are the best I've ever heard; I was first exposed to him in my high school choir and have been a fan of his Cambridge Singers ever since. My favorite track on this CD is the Rutter original composition, "What Sweeter Music". Simply gorgeous. A must-have for any caroller or carol enthusiast!"

Great Alternative to Radio Fare

B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 11/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'Christmas with the Cambridge Singers' and the older title, 'Christmas Day in the Morning' are a great relief to my tired ears on even this second day of the long Christmas Carol season. Aside from the very high quality of the performances, there are virtually no very familiar tunes on this disk. Every song conveys the Christmas spirit in a bright new (or actually very old) way.



While this is not a first tier attribute for most artistic recordings, in the case of a record of Christmas music, the 78 minute playing time is just right for two or three passes without inducing boredom.



Great Christmas music sans steamroller."