Christmas Star
Carols for the Christmas season
The Cambridge Singers and Orchestra
John Rutter (conductor)
CD:
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Tracks
Description
CD booklet
Reviews
Click on a track for an audio sample:
Description
The Cambridge Singers' debut recording – a universal favourite.
This recording was the first to be made by the Cambridge Singers, shortly after the choir's formation in 1981. Featuring classic carols and carol arrangements it is one of the label's most popular Christmas releases. Highlights include John Rutter's arrangements of such favourites as Three Kings of Orient, Away in a Manger and Silent Night.
Track list
- Good Christian men, rejoice (arr. Rutter)
- I wonder as I wander (arr. Rutter)
- All my heart this night rejoices (J.G. Ebeling)
- Silent night (Franz Gruber)
- Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming (arr. M. Praetorius)
- Ding dong! Merrily on high (arr. Wood)
- Three kings of Orient (J.H. Hopkins)
- How great our joy (arr. Rutter)
- Angels we have heard on high (arr. Rutter)
- Joy to the world (Lowell Mason)
- Away in a manger (J.R. Murray)
- Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle (arr. Rutter)
- God rest you merry, gentlemen (arr. Rutter)
- What child is this? (arr. Rutter)
- Twas in the moon of winter time (arr. Rutter)
- O little one sweet (arr. Bach)
- Go, tell it on the mountain (arr. Rutter)
- Away in a manger (Kirkpatrick)
- Rise up, shepherd, and follow (arr. Rutter)
- The Christmas Song (Mel Tormé and Robert Wells)
- We wish you a merry Christmas (arr. Rutter)
- O come, all ye faithful (J.F. Wade)
“I can’t imagine any Christmas recording bringing more happiness.” Gramophone
“New life is breathed into the old favourites, and I guarantee that whatever your musical tastes, you will be bowled over by the quality of the music. Head and shoulders above in this field. Enjoy!” Cross Rhythms
“Recorded in the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral in 1981, this was the first recording by the then newly-formed Cambridge Singers. Now available on CD it provides a delightful introduction to a group who have done much to keep the spirit of Christmas song alive. John Rutter’s arrangements of traditional English favourites have a glistening beauty full of seasonal wit and warmth.” The Lady
“How’s this for an unusual story? This was the very first recording made by the Cambridge Singers soon after their formation in 1981. After a brief life on LP, the original digital master tape disappeared, and was presumed lost forever, only to reappear in 1996. Was it worth the wait? The title gives away the content: 22 carols old and new. If you’re like me, you’ll generally despise Christmas collections like this. One has to admit, however, that there are few performances approaching the level of professionalism, nay, perfection of this recording.” Cross Rhythms
Printed music featured on this disc
- Away in a manger
- Rise up, Shepherd, and follow
- Ding dong! Merrily on high – carols by Charles Wood (ed. John Rutter)
- Go, tell it on the mountain
- Joy to the world! (‘Handelian’ version)
- I wonder as I wander
- O come, all ye faithful (Adeste fideles)
- Silent Night (unaccompanied)
- We wish you a merry Christmas
- Three Kings of Orient
- Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle/Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabella