Every year on Advent Sunday St Paul's Cathedral in London holds an Advent Carol Service. This recording captures the mood and structure of this event, presenting a selection of the music which might be performed in its liturgical order.
The Church's preparation for the coming of Christ begins in contemplative mood with the plainchant processional Laudes Regiae and the famous Mattins Responsory ('I look from afar …'). The wealth of music that follows is typical of the approach of this choir: traditional favourites such as Hosanna to the Son of David and the Parsons Ave Maria rest alongside contemporary works from composers such as John Rutter, Richard Lloyd and Philip Wilby. This album—and the hypothetical service—comes to an end with a joyous arrangement of the great hymn O come, O come, Emmanuel; an organ toccata on the same theme by Andrew Carter acts as the voluntary.
1. Laudes Regiae
2. Mattins Responsory (After Palestrina)
3. Ecce concipies
4. Blow Out The Trumpet In Sion
5. Drop Down Ye Heavens From Above
6. Laetentur coeli
7. Echo Carol for boy's voices
8. Hosanna To The Son Of David
9. A Hymn Of St Columba
10. Rejoice In The Lord Alway
11. This Is The Record Of John
12. Hymn To The Creator Of Light
13. Angelus ad virginem
14. Virga Jesse floruit
15. Ave Maria
16. Vesper Responsory (After Palestrina)
17. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
18. Organ Toccata On Veni Emmanuel |
|