Richard Hickox, City Of London Sinfonia, Sarah Fox, Roderick Williams, Joyful Company of Singers - Vaughan Williams: Christmas Music (2006) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Fantasia on Christmas Carols
02. On Christmas Night: I. Prelude. God Rest You Merry
03. On Christmas Night: II. Marley's Ghost
04. On Christmas Night: III. The Spirit of Christmas
05. On Christmas Night: IV. Fezziwig's Christmas Party
06. On Christmas Night: V. Fezziwig's Parlour. Scene 2
07. On Christmas Night: VI. Morris Jig
08. On Christmas Night: VII. The Triumph
09. On Christmas Night: VIII. Roger de Coverley
10. On Christmas Night: X. Midnight
11. On Christmas Night: XI. A Procession
12. On Christmas Night: XII. Victorian Drawing Room
13. On Christmas Night: XIII. Bob Cratchit's Christmas Party
14. On Christmas Night: XIV. Bob Cratchit's Toast
15. On Christmas Night: XV. Black Nag
16. On Christmas Night: XVI. Procession of the Nativity
17. The First Nowell: I. Prelude. God Rest You Merry and the Truth From Above
18. The First Nowell: II. Angelus ad Virginem
19. The First Nowell: III. The Salutation Carol
20. The First Nowell: VI. The Cherry Tree Carol. Part One
21. The First Nowell: VII. The Cherry Tree Carol. Part Two
22. The First Nowell: VIII. Joseph and Mary
23. The First Nowell: IX. "In Bethlehem City" (A Virgin Most Pure)
24. The First Nowell: XV. The Sussex Carol
25. The First Nowell: XVI. "Tidings True There Be Come New" (The Salutation Carol)
26. The First Nowell: XVII. How Brightly Shone the Morning Star
27. The First Nowell: XVIII. Interlude
28. The First Nowell: XX. The First Nowell



The late Richard Hickox leads a beautiful performance of all three works. Indeed, his Fantasia on Christmas Carols I think the best I’ve heard. Sarah Fox is sweet-voiced in both On Christmas Night and The First Nowell. Roderick Williams (or maybe Simon Keenlyside) may well be my favorite baritone right now. He possesses a beautiful voice which he uses intelligently. His breath control seems to know no limit and allows him to phrase anywhere he wants and to subtly color his line. The choir and orchestra are thoroughly professional, but it’s the ensemble and the music that become the stars. Highly recommended.

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