Sarah Connolly, Nick Pritchard, Neal Davies, Benjamin Nicholas, Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia, Choir of Merton College Oxford - Bob Chilcott: Christmas Oratorio (2023) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
02. Christmas Oratorio: I. Lo! How a Rose, e’er blooming
03. Christmas Oratorio: II. The Angel Gabriel
04. Christmas Oratorio: III. Magnificat
05. Christmas Oratorio: IV. Hymn. Thou whose almighty word
06. Christmas Oratorio: V. And it came to pass in those days
07. Christmas Oratorio: VI. A Boy was born
08. Christmas Oratorio: VII. And there were in the same country shepherds
09. Christmas Oratorio: VIII. Hymn. Shepherds in the field abiding
10. Christmas Oratorio: IX. And they came with haste
11. Christmas Oratorio: X. Love came down at Christmas
12. Christmas Oratorio: XI. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem
13. Christmas Oratorio: XII. A Carol to the King
14. Christmas Oratorio: XIII. Hymn. As with gladness men of old
15. Christmas Oratorio: XIV. And when eight days were accomplished
16. Christmas Oratorio: XV. Nunc dimittis
17. Christmas Oratorio: XVI. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things
18. Christmas Oratorio: XVII. Hymn. A great and mighty wonder
19. The Pear Tree Carol
20. Welcome, all wonders in one sight!



Hailed as ‘a palpable success … and utterly new’ at its premiere performance, Bob Chilcott’s Christmas Oratorio brings the magic, wonder and joy of a centuries-old story to modern-day life.

This first recording reassembles the glittering cast of soloists from the premiere: Nick Pritchard’s Evangelist, intimately accompanied by harp and flute, is joined by mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly and bass Neal Davies.

Benjamin Nicholas’s award-winning Choir of Merton College, Oxford enrich the Christmas story with carols that are sure to become instant favourites. The composer is delighted with the recording, describing it as ‘elegant, well paced and poised … The choir is fabulous – confident and sure’.

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