NOEL
Release date: October 2023
Label: Signum SIGCD386
Featuring a collection of carols both old and new, Armonico creates the perfect soundtrack for those who love an atmosphere at Christmas. Featuring world premiere recordings by Composer Toby Young and the first ever recording of ‘Star Song’ by Jonathan Dove on a Christmas album, there are also exquisitely sublime versions from ‘Silent Night’ to ‘Away in a Manger’.
The recording features world premieres of works commissioned by Armonico Consort of ‘The Astronomer’s Carol’ and ‘The O Antiphons’ by Toby Young, the latter performed in the round, with the sopranos scattered around the building.
It is ten years since our last carols recording, and we have collected some incredible works we have been so keen to record, including several commissioned from our composer in residence. Christmas somehow manages to inspire composers to write the most imaginative, both in terms of creativity and melodiousness and Toby is an expert at making Christmas music sound just as we want it to be!
“Armonico Consort casts a spells with intimate performances of fine festive works … a meticulously executed, heart-warming recital.”⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ BBC Music magazine’s Christmas Choice 2023
TRACK LISTING
- O Adonai Toby Young (b. 1990)
- On Christmas Night Trad, arr. P. Ledger (1937-2012)
- The Shepherd’s Carol Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)
- The Astronomer’s Carol Toby Young
- The Star-Song Jonathan Dove (b. 1959)
- Away in a Manger Trad. French
- In the Bleak Midwinter Harold Darke (1888-1976) [4.32]
Emily Wenman soprano - Jesus Christ the Apple Tree Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987)
- O Little Town of Bethlehem Trad, Descant by R. Marlow (1939-2013)
- Nesciens Mater Jean Mouton (1459-1522)
- Angel’s Carol John Rutter (b. 1945)
- What Sweeter Music John Rutter
- O Magnum Mysterium Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)
- Hope Finds a Way Jonathan Roberts (b. 1983)
- Silent Night Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863), arr. J. Rathbone (b. 1957) [4.06]
Alexander Hume tenor
