A Wells Christmas

A Wells Christmas

£12.99
Total playing time [61:54]

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Wells Cathedral Choir
Jonathan Vaughn (organ)
Matthew Owens (conductor)

Named as one of the world’s finest choirs by Gramophone, Wells Cathedral Choir and their director Matthew Owens make their Resonus Classics debut with a programme of carols typically performed during the Christmas season in Wells – A Wells Christmas.

With an irresistible array of popular carols and more recent offerings this scintillating and varied programme is vividly realised by the combined boy and girl choristers and Vicars Choral that continue the 1100-year-old tradition of music in Wells Cathedral. Included in this compelling programme are works by David Willcocks, Andrew Carter, John Rutter, and Kenneth Leighton, Thomas Hewitt Jones. Also included are world premieres by Bob Chilcott, Jefferson McConnaughey & Matthew Owens. 

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

Traditional English
arr. Bob Chilcott
1. Sussex Carol *

Traditional French
arr. Andrew Carter
2. A maiden most gentle

Jefferson McConnaughey
3. In the bleak midwinter *

Traditional Czech
arr. Malcolm Sargent
4. Zither Carol

Matthew Owens
5. Lullay, my liking *

Traditional Welsh
arr. David Willcocks
6. Deck the hall

John Rutter
7. Donkey Carol

Traditional English
arr. David Willcocks
8. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day

Traditional English
arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams
9. This is the truth sent from above

Cornish Traditional
arr. John Rutter
10. Sans Day Carol

Alfred Hollins
11. Christmas Cradle Song

Bob Chilcott
12. The Sparrow’s Carol *

Thomas Hewitt Jones
13. What child is this?

John Rutter
14. Jesus Child

Traditional English
arr. John Rutter
15. I saw three ships

Traditional French
arr. Kenneth Leighton
16. O leave your sheep

James Lord Pierpont
arr. David Willcocks
17. Jingle, bells

Traditional English
arr. Richard Elliot
18. I Saw Three Ships

Traditional English
arr. Arthur Warrell
19. A Merry Christmas

Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane
arr. Peter Gritton
20. Have yourself a merry little Christmas

* World premiere recording

“

'Seamlessly blended by choirmaster Matthew Owens, who has cultivated a bright, gleaming sonority, and the type of crisp attack heard to good effect in the Zither Carol…this is a desirable collection.'

- BBC Music Magazine

'Seamlessly blended by choirmaster Matthew Owens, who has cultivated a bright, gleaming sonority, and the type of crisp attack heard to good effect in the Zither Carol…this is a desirable collection.'
BBC Music Magazine

Album of the Week 12-18 December 2016
Classic FM

'The Choir of Wells Cathedral, who this week make their debut on Resonus, are one of England’s best-kept secrets [...] in an album full of unexpected delights.'
Classic FM (David Mellor)

'[...] Matthew Owens and his combined Wells Cathedral forces of boys and girls present a beautifully sung and exceptionally well-recorded disc, with a pleasing mix of the familiar and unfamiliar [...] and there must be a shout out for organist Jonathan Vaughn's sensitive playing, which adds much to the enjoyment of the programme.'
Choir & Organ

'The performances are poised and beautifully finished, with a lovely sense of control'
Planet Hugill

Resonus continues to welcome well established performers to record for the label. Here Wells Cathedral Choir under the direction of Matthew Owens presents a programme of music that is often familiar but nevertheless fresh and lively.
Lark Reviews

Credits
© 2016 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2016 Resonus Limited
Catalogue No. RES10176
Producer, engineer & editor: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262790809
Cover image: Christmas glittering stars by Hollygraphic (fotolia.com)