The Carols of Christmas

Explore this new album of choral works by British composer, George Arthur, performed by The Choir of Royal Holloway. George is a multi award-winning composer, published by Universal Editions, Music Sales, Shorter House and the Guild of Church Musicians. He has been commissioned by various cathedrals and chapel choirs at home and overseas and his music is regularly performed around the world. He has had works broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4 and on BBC television, most notably for the WW1 Commonwealth commemoration service, live from Glasgow Cathedral.

Hailed as ‘a palpable success… and utterly new’ at its premiere performance, Bob Chilcott’s Christmas Oratorio brings the magic, wonder and joy of a centuries-old story to modern-day life. This first recording reassembles the glittering cast of soloists from the premiere: Nick Pritchard’s Evangelist, intimately accompanied by harp and flute, is joined by mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly and bass Neal Davies. Benjamin Nicholas’s award-winning Choir of Merton College, Oxford enrich the Christmas story with carols that are sure to become instant favourites. The composer is delighted with the recording, describing it as ‘elegant, well paced and poised… The choir is fabulous – confident and sure’.

There are quite a few risks that a musician can expose in his business. An abrupt change in style or genre is one of the reasons, the decision to supply the formerly acoustic instrument with electricity as well as in the eighties, the transition from analog to digital. In some cases, even a new hairstyle is enough. However, the biggest risk, at least beyond smooth polished productions for a TV audience, was, is and will be the recording of a Christmas record. Wham's Last Christmas is one of the most successful songs of the duo, but also one of his most hated. And when Jimi Hendrix once played Little Drummer Boy, one dared to send the single only for free to the members of his fan club.

The Choir of St John's College, Oxford, directed by David Bannister, sing music associated with Christmas, together with youthful work by Imogen Holst and Benjamin Britten. Looking towards the sixtieth anniversary of Elizabeth Poston's Penguin Book of Carols (1965), initially undertaken with Ralph Vaughan Williams, the recording presents music associated with these two composers and the works they edited, alongside newer pieces exemplifying and revivifying the English carol tradition.

The Boys of St. Paul Choir School are releasing their debut international recording, "Christmas in Harvard Square". The Christmas album repertoire includes 19 classic songs, which have both traditional and contemporary arrangements, including some original arrangements by Mr. John Robinson the Director of Music. It also includes some must-have renditions of Rutter & Sir David Willcocks arrangements. The school itself is uniquely one of the only boys' choir schools in the US and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The academy has been described not as a school with a choir, but as a choir with a school. This cozy and ethereal collection celebrating The Nativity of Christ will be a timeless classic for many seasons to come.