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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | A Christmas Caroll from Westminster Abbey
Robert Quinney (organ) The Choir of Westminster Abbey, James O’Donnell The first of this month’s ‘double bill’ from Westminster presents a delightful and unusual selection of music for Christmas from the Abbey Choir. It encompasses all the diverse themes of Christmas which have inspired composers across the ages: light shining in darkness; the tenderness of mother and child; the fulfilment of promise; and the warm merriment of corporate celebration. An excellent selection of contemporary carols features the composers Jonathan Dove and Bob Chilcott among others. The richness of twentieth-century church music is illustrated in works by Poulenc, Walton, Mathias and Leighton, and by the heartbreakingly lovely piece The little road to Bethlehem by Michael Head. Skilful arrangements of the traditional carols Silent night, In dulci jubilo and I saw three ships, complete this attractive seasonal release. | 
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| |  | Poulenc - Gloria and Motets
Susan Gritton Polyphony, Britten Sinfonia, The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton Stephen Layton and Polyphony continue to blaze a trail as great interpreters and dazzling performers of a wide range of choral music. Their recent disc of Bruckner’s Mass in E minor and motets was acclaimed as a benchmark recording. For their latest Hyperion disc they turn to some of the most bewitching and unusual, yet well-loved, choral works of the twentieth century.
Poulenc’s choral music is a deep expression both of his faith and of his unique musical language. In the various motets, the music responds to the composer’s studies of Bach, Monteverdi, Palestrina and Gabrieli, but is always stylistically progressive. Prominently featured are Poulenc’s distinctive and often ingenious chord progressions. Each motet has its own delightfully etched personality.
Poulenc’s Gloria is one of his most enduringly appealing works. In some ways straightforwardly pious, it is also tinged with mischievous irreverence and a sense of rollocking enjoyment. ‘When I wrote this piece’, Poulenc famously recalled, ‘I had in mind those frescoes by Gozzoli where the angels stick out their tongues; and also some serious Benedictine monks I had once seen revelling in a game of football.’ This recording by the Britten Sinfonia, The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Polyphony and the soprano soloist Susan Gritton under Stephen Layton brings out all these aspects in a classic performance. “Gloriously pompous,” says Marc Rochester of the fanfare that opens Poulenc’s Gloria. He’s quite right, of course, but also right in pointing out that it is absolutely electric. And that goes for much of this terrific album. When the massed forces of Polyphony, the Britten Sinfonia and the Trinity College Choir ring out at full strength, the sound is simply incredible. Gramophone Magazine “From the very outset of the Gloria its clear that this is a performance of real distinction. …the scintillating choral entry, the basses starting the ball rolling with the kind of pent-up energy which you just know is going to explode in the most spectacular way. In the final chorus of the Gloria, after the boisterous start, we have a moment of profound sanctity and another, crowned with incredible delicacy by Susan Gritton, of mouth-watering enchantment.” Gramophone Magazine, April 2008 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge & City of London Sinfonia, George Guest ‘This is another quality disc from Chandos which offers beautiful performances of these attractive French choral works’ (Canberra Times) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | The Mystery of Christmas
Michael Bloss (organ) The Elora Festival Singers, Noel Edison (Director) “a real bargain....with a remarkable range of Christmas music beautifully sung by the Elora Festival Singers of Toronto. As well as old favourites such as Silent Night, hauntingly done here, there's some fascinating modern stuff, including one of John Rutter's most delightful creations, What Sweeter Music, and an imposing finale from John Tavener.” Mail on Sunday | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Christmas Through the Ages
Psalmody, The Parley of Instruments, The King’s Consort, The Sixteen, Westminster Cathedral Choir, et al. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | For unto us a Child is born
Choir of New College, Oxford & Collegium Novum Ensemble, Edward Higginbottom | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Twentieth Century Masters Volume 1 - Poulenc and His Contemporaries
The Choir of New College, Oxford, directed by Edward Higginbottom “very special … outstanding quality both musically and dramatically” – The Daily Telegraph | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Prayer for Peace
Cantillation, Antony Walker All works on this disc use the unaccompanied human voice, the first and most personal instrument ever played. The composers have translated into music their ecstasy and their grief, their anger and pain, their tenderness, delight and joy, their thankfulness and their awe: a sacred meditation rich in spiritual and earthly experiences. | | | Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days. |
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| |  | NativitasA celebration of peace at Christmas
The Choir of New College Oxford, Edward Higginbottom “the standard of singing is quite superb” (Gramophone on Agnus Dei) | | | Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days. |
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Murray, Tear, Allen & Wilson-Johnson Choir of King’s College, Cambridge & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Stephen Cleobury | | | Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days. |
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Gramophone Awards 2008
Gramophone Magazine