VA - Christmas with St John's (2016) [TR24][OF]

Christmas presents a golden opportunity to present brand new music to wide audiences, and the role played by St John s College Choir in this area has been significant, as demonstrated by this new recording of contemporary choral works. Featuring two works commissioned by the choir Judith Bingham s 'The Clouded Heaven' and Michael Finnissy s 'John the Baptist'. The programme begins with Bob Chilcott s 'The Shepherd s Carol' commissioned by Stephen Cleobury (a former St John s organ scholar) for King s College Choir, and ends with 'Creator of the Stars of Night', composed by another former St John s organ scholar, John Scott. The Choir of St John s College, Cambridge is one of the finest choirs of men and boys in the world, known and loved by millions from its recordings, broadcasts and concert tours. A cornerstone of the great English choral tradition since the 1670s, the Choir is recognised for its distinctive, rich and expressive sound and is today directed by Andrew Nethsingha.


Throughout this programme the choral singing is marvellous. Andrew Nethsingha inherited a choir with a great tradition of excellence going right back to the days of George Guest but he s clearly put his own stamp on the choir, which he s directed since 2007. All sections of the choir sing really well and the balance between the sections is excellent. I must single out the trebles for particular praise. The sound they produce is keen and very well focused … a highly enjoyable and superbly performed Christmas collection. It respects the traditions of Christmas music but provides plenty of examples of how composers are developing that tradition in exciting ways. –John Quinn MusicWeb International, 9th November 2016

'classy and successful … They choose the right (as in, least naff) Bob Chilcott works and invest John Rutter s Dormi Jesu with the throbbing glow for which this ensemble and its acoustic is famous.' –Andrew Mellor Gramophone, December 2016

TRACKLIST
1.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - The Shepherd’s Carol (3:38)
2.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - The Holly and the Ivy (Arr. Henry Walford Davies) (2:54)
3.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Sir Christèmas (1:33)
4.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - O Oriens (4:35)
5.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Adam Lay Ybounden (1:19)
6.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - A Spotless Rose (1:59)
7.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - The Seven Joys of Mary (4:44)
8.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Dormi Jesu (4:55)
9.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Creator of the Stars of Night (Arr. John Scott) (3:41)
10.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - I Wonder as I Wander (1:46)
11.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - O Little Town of Bethlehem (4:48)
12.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - I Saw Three Ships (Arr. Simon Preston) (2:00)
13.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Three Kings (Arr. Ivor Atkins) (2:39)
14.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Arr. Charles Wood) (2:02)
15.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - As Dew in Aprylle (1:56)
16.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - John the Baptist (3:26)
17.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Mary’s Magnificat (3:23)
18.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - People, Look East (Arr. Peter Marchbank) (3:17)
19.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Silent Night (Arr. Mark Blatchly) (3:19)
20.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Out of Your Sleep Arise (2:42)
21.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree (3:33)
22.St John's College Choir, Andrew Nethsingha - Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day (2:22)