A Winter Breviary: Choral Works for Christmas

£12.99
Total playing time [66:06]

St Martin's Voices
Polina Sosnina (organ)
Andrew Earis (conductor)

In this, their debut recording with Resonus Classics, St Martin's Voices presents a selection of contemporary choral works for the Christmas season. With settings of poetry from the fifteenth century to the present day, these new carols explore themes of winter snowscapes, the anticipation and contemplation of Advent, the Christmas story as seen by the women at its heart, and the joy of coming in from the cold to celebrate together.

In a programme made entirely of premiere recordings, this album features works by Cecilia McDowall, Roderick Williams and Lucy Walker, among others. The album also boasts a major new carol suite by Bob Chilcott, with libretto by Georgia Way entitled Mary, Mother, which was premiered by the ensemble in 2022.

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

Olivia Sparkhall (b.1976)
1. All and some

Cecilia McDowall (b.1951)
2. There is no rose

Reena Esmail (b.1983)
A Winter Breviary
3. We Look For You
(Evensong – Raag Hamsadhwani)
4. The Year’s Midnight
(Matins – Raag Malkauns)
5. The Unexpected Early Hour
(Lauds – Raag Ahir Bhairav)

Sarah MacDonald (b.1968)
The Manger is Empty
6. Like the snow in winter
7. As among broken glass
8. The manger is empty

Nils Greenhow (b.1989)
9. Advent Calendar

Thomas Hewitt Jones (b.1984)
10. Love is the Answer

Lucy Walker (b.1998)
The Christmas Life
11. The Christmas Life
12. We shall walk
13. The Angels’ Song

Yshani Perinpanayagam (b.1983)
14. When God made Eve

Roderick Williams (b.1965)
15. Queen Elizabeth’s Winchester
Carol (The Royal Carol)

Bob Chilcott (b.1955)
Mary, Mother
16. A child in Galilee
17. Carpentry Carol
18. After the angel
19. Walking Carol
20. Dear heart
21. Hymn

All world premiere recordings

“

'This is an outstanding compilation, both in terms of the performances and the construction of the programme - Earis and his singers are warmly to be commended for what is easily the best Christmas recording I've yet heard this season. A definite keeper for years to come!'

- Cathedral Music Magazine

'This fascinating collection is probably my Christmas record of this year.'
The Arts Desk

'This is an outstanding compilation, both in terms of the performances and the construction of the programme - Earis and his singers are warmly to be commended for what is easily the best Christmas recording I've yet heard this season. A definite keeper for years to come!'
Cathedral Music Magazine

'[...] St Martin's Voices showcase a contemporary selection, all premiere recordings, with focused, technically and musically satisfying singing.'
Choir & Organ

'Four Stars'
BBC Music Magazine

'The choir, under conductor Andrew Earis, is almost miraculously polished [...] A lovely album.'
Gramophone

'Top pick for new Christmas music is 'A Winter Breviary', immaculately sung by St Martin’s Voices under conductor Andrew Earis. Through the finest contemporary poetry, it reflects on the women at the heart of the Christmas story and the pleasure of coming in from the cold to celebrate the season. Highlights include Celia McDowell’s There is no rose and the Reena Esmail triptych that lends the disc its name.'
Limelight

Credits
© 2023 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2023 Resonus Limited
Catalogue No. RES10328
Producer, engineer & editor: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262793596
Release date: 20 October 2023