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th thRecorded 8 - 9 January 2011 at Cranleigh School, Surrey.

Recorded by Richard HughesProduced by Susanne StanzeleitAssistant engineer Karen Thomas

With thanks to Doreen Hollingumfor the red ribbon

p& m Meridian Records 2011www.meridian-records.co.uk

P.O. Box 317, Eltham, London, SE9 4SF

5 0 1 5 9 5 9 4 6 0 1 2 1

CDE 84601 TT 59:35

A Natural Sound Recording

bLC 13637 MCPS

[ ]1 James Whitbourn: Processional Introit & Kyrie Eleison (from ‘Missa Carolae’) 7:06[ ]2 James MacMillan: Dominus Dabit Benignitatem 4:42[ ]3 John McCabe: I Sing of a Maiden 3:21[ ]4 Francis Pott: A Hymn to the Virgin 4:28[ ]5 Bob Chilcott: Remember, O thou Man 3:21[ ]6 James Whitbourn: Gloria in Excelsis (from ‘Missa Carolae’) 4:08[ ]7 John Woolrich: Spring in Winter 2:27[ ]8 Stephen McNeff: Carol of the Birds 2:50[ ]9 Traditional Basque, arr. Howard Goodall: The Angel Gabriel 3:46

[ ]10 James Whitbourn: Sanctus & Benedictus (from ‘Missa Carolae’) 4:08[ ]11 James Lavino: Before the Paling of the Stars 2:45[ ]12 Tarik O'Regan: Bring Rest, Sweet Dreaming Child 4:39[ ]13 James MacMillan: O Radiant Dawn 3:57[ ]14 James Whitbourn: Agnus Dei (from ‘Missa Carolae’) 4:18[ ]15 Franz Gruber, arr. Jonathan Rathbone: Silent Night 3:41

Page 1

Page 2 Page 3

he season of Christmas has always involved a Processional Introitcombination of tradition and renewal: the Guillô, pran ton tamborin!gatherings of family and old friends, the playing T

Kyrie eleisonof traditional games and the family reminiscences, Noël nouvelet! (French trad)intermingled with the excitement of opening presents

and discovering new books and toys; or the celebration Gloria in excelsisof the year about to end mixed with anticipation of the Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen (Praetorius)year about to begin. God rest ye merry gentlemen (English trad)

Sanctus & BenedictusSo it is with Christmas music: the love of traditional In dulci jubilo (German trad)carols and songs is equalled by the constant search for Remember, O thou man (Ravenscroft)new ways to express the Christmas message, or indeed

to seek out a new message altogether. Leaving aside the Agnus Dei W żłobie leży honourable search for a truly authentic manner of ('Infant holy': Polish trad)performing music from the past, modern composers have sought out the past in two ways. Firstly, by finding Ironically, Thomas Ravenscroft's Remember, O thou new inspiration from poetry composed over the man, having provided the melody only for the centuries, and in this regard the medieval, often Benedictus of the Missa Carolae, has also provided the anonymous, poets appear to provide the richest, most text only for an entirely new composition by Bob evergreen source of material for original compositions. Chilcott. Written as a modern spiritual, this short gem is Secondly, by arranging, incorporating, or recomposing, a masterful example of Chilcott's total ease in the choral traditional melodies in a modern context. And this CD is medium, as well as his abiding love of jazz.a collection of the finest examples of both these forms of

stChristmas music, all created in the 21 century. The remainder of the pieces can be grouped into a number of categories. Two carols are, like the Missa

The backbone of the disc is provided by the various Carolae, simply arrangements of well-known tunes and movements of James Whitbourn's Missa Carolae, texts. The Angel Gabriel was already 'recomposed' in which was commissioned for Rochester Cathedral and that Sabine Baring-Gould wrote entirely new words to a first performed there during the Eucharist for Christmas traditional Basque melody. Howard Goodall has newly

thNight, 24 December 2004, in celebration of the 1400 arranged it for his ethereal female choir Enchanted anniversary of the cathedral's foundation. As the Voices, accompanied by cello and organ. Jonathan composer writes: 'The work, though not literally for Rathbone's rich close-harmony setting of Silent Night dancing, is intended to invoke a dance-like spirit, which also had a specific group in mind, this time the Swingle is true to the origin of the carol as a simple dance form.' Singers.The Mass incorporates a number of melodies from traditional Christmas Carols: Two medieval texts celebrating the Virgin Mary are

very familiar from other modern settings, but have stfound new life in the 21 century. In I sing of a maiden,

John McCabe has found an extraordinary stillness (in an echo of the text) in the dialogue between a solo quartet

Alice Ruffle, Andrew Cruise, Andy Chan, Anna Simpson, Anne Webster, Charlotte Dodson, Charlotte Lary, Christopher Whitehouse, Claire Valencia, David Hardwick,

Deirdre Hollingsworth, Emily Fletcher, Geraldine Mynors, Helen Dickinson, Helly Seeley, Jo Dew-Jones, Jo Reynolds, Joe Dodson, Jonathan Glasspool, Kathryn Smale, Katie Saunders, Lois Gallagher, Lucy Budd, Mark Galtrey, Naveen Rajendran,

Richard Warren, Soo-Lin Lui, Stephen Cviic, Tony Zacaroli

www.elysiansingers.com

th thRecorded 8 -9 January 2011 at Cranleigh School, Surrey. This is the first recording on the school's Mander organ, completed in 2010. It was conceived as a teaching and practice instrument, with the aim of presenting as wide a palette of tonal colours as possible within a limited number of stops. To enhance the experience of the earlier repertoire, a mild unequal temperament was used, although it is hoped that this will only add to, rather than detract from, the listener's enjoyment of this contemporary repertoire.

Page 2 Page 3

he season of Christmas has always involved a Processional Introitcombination of tradition and renewal: the Guillô, pran ton tamborin!gatherings of family and old friends, the playing T

Kyrie eleisonof traditional games and the family reminiscences, Noël nouvelet! (French trad)intermingled with the excitement of opening presents

and discovering new books and toys; or the celebration Gloria in excelsisof the year about to end mixed with anticipation of the Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen (Praetorius)year about to begin. God rest ye merry gentlemen (English trad)

Sanctus & BenedictusSo it is with Christmas music: the love of traditional In dulci jubilo (German trad)carols and songs is equalled by the constant search for Remember, O thou man (Ravenscroft)new ways to express the Christmas message, or indeed

to seek out a new message altogether. Leaving aside the Agnus Dei W żłobie leży honourable search for a truly authentic manner of ('Infant holy': Polish trad)performing music from the past, modern composers have sought out the past in two ways. Firstly, by finding Ironically, Thomas Ravenscroft's Remember, O thou new inspiration from poetry composed over the man, having provided the melody only for the centuries, and in this regard the medieval, often Benedictus of the Missa Carolae, has also provided the anonymous, poets appear to provide the richest, most text only for an entirely new composition by Bob evergreen source of material for original compositions. Chilcott. Written as a modern spiritual, this short gem is Secondly, by arranging, incorporating, or recomposing, a masterful example of Chilcott's total ease in the choral traditional melodies in a modern context. And this CD is medium, as well as his abiding love of jazz.a collection of the finest examples of both these forms of

stChristmas music, all created in the 21 century. The remainder of the pieces can be grouped into a number of categories. Two carols are, like the Missa

The backbone of the disc is provided by the various Carolae, simply arrangements of well-known tunes and movements of James Whitbourn's Missa Carolae, texts. The Angel Gabriel was already 'recomposed' in which was commissioned for Rochester Cathedral and that Sabine Baring-Gould wrote entirely new words to a first performed there during the Eucharist for Christmas traditional Basque melody. Howard Goodall has newly

thNight, 24 December 2004, in celebration of the 1400 arranged it for his ethereal female choir Enchanted anniversary of the cathedral's foundation. As the Voices, accompanied by cello and organ. Jonathan composer writes: 'The work, though not literally for Rathbone's rich close-harmony setting of Silent Night dancing, is intended to invoke a dance-like spirit, which also had a specific group in mind, this time the Swingle is true to the origin of the carol as a simple dance form.' Singers.The Mass incorporates a number of melodies from traditional Christmas Carols: Two medieval texts celebrating the Virgin Mary are

very familiar from other modern settings, but have stfound new life in the 21 century. In I sing of a maiden,

John McCabe has found an extraordinary stillness (in an echo of the text) in the dialogue between a solo quartet

Alice Ruffle, Andrew Cruise, Andy Chan, Anna Simpson, Anne Webster, Charlotte Dodson, Charlotte Lary, Christopher Whitehouse, Claire Valencia, David Hardwick,

Deirdre Hollingsworth, Emily Fletcher, Geraldine Mynors, Helen Dickinson, Helly Seeley, Jo Dew-Jones, Jo Reynolds, Joe Dodson, Jonathan Glasspool, Kathryn Smale, Katie Saunders, Lois Gallagher, Lucy Budd, Mark Galtrey, Naveen Rajendran,

Richard Warren, Soo-Lin Lui, Stephen Cviic, Tony Zacaroli

www.elysiansingers.com

th thRecorded 8 -9 January 2011 at Cranleigh School, Surrey. This is the first recording on the school's Mander organ, completed in 2010. It was conceived as a teaching and practice instrument, with the aim of presenting as wide a palette of tonal colours as possible within a limited number of stops. To enhance the experience of the earlier repertoire, a mild unequal temperament was used, although it is hoped that this will only add to, rather than detract from, the listener's enjoyment of this contemporary repertoire.

and the main choir. By contrast, Francis Pott's Hymn to employs many of MacMillan's most characteristic the Virgin employs a fast-moving harmonic style to choral techniques, with the sopranos weaving long provide a pulsating reflection of the macaronic text. lines full of Scotch snaps over the trance-like

repetitions of the lower parts. Eventually, the choir th comes together in a new incandescent harmony before 18 century poetry is represented by carols using

the divided sopranos dissolve their 'Amen' into a nature imagery to illustrate the Christmas story. In hummed chord which appears to translate the hope of Spring in Winter (commissioned by King's College, the Advent message into an eternal mystery.Cambridge for the Festival of Nine Lessons and

Carols in 2001), John Woolrich treats the words of the © Sam Laughton 2011troubled Christopher Smart in an exotic through-

composed fashion. By contrast, the Irish Carol of the Birds inspired Stephen McNeff to a more 'traditional'-sounding melody, albeit with naturalistic sounds interposed in the refrains.

The youngest composers here represented are James Additional words: Anon (translated by James Lavino and Tarik O'Regan. Lavino's Before the paling Whitbourn), Isaiah, & Bernard de la Monnoye of the stars is a haunting setting of 'A Christmas Carol' (1641-1728) by Christina Rossetti, with its 'Christmas-card'

treatment of the Nativity. O'Regan however has turned Solo: Lois Gallagherto the contemporary poet Mark Pryce who brings a

modern social awareness to bear on the image of the Introitchild Jesus. In Bring rest, sweet dreaming child Guillô play your tambourin,(commissioned by Sam Laughton and the Elysian Robin with your flute begin,Singers in 2004), O'Regan uses the soprano solo and a Play your pipe and play your drum,harp to set up a deceptive peace, which is increasingly Tu-re-lu-re-lu!drowned out by the pressures of modern existence, Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan!before returning with the image of the 'sweet breathing Play your pipe and play your drum.child'.Sing Nowell to all and some!

James MacMillan is arguably the finest choral composer working today, and it is fitting that two of

Man of ancient days, he singshis 'Strathclyde Motets' complete the music on this In praise of the King of kings,disc. MacMillan combines his deep theology with an When you hear the pipe and drum,extraordinary palette to produce two quite different Tu-re-lu-re-lu!pieces. O Radiant Dawn, an antiphon for 21 Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan!December, was written for the composer's local parish When you hear the pipe and drumchurch in Maryhill, Glasgow, and is suitably You will know that the Saviour's come.straightforward both to perform and to listen to. The

more sophisticated Dominus dabit benignitatem

[1] n (1963-)

Processional Introit & Kyrie Eleiso(from ‘Missa Carolae’) James Whitbourn

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The ords: Anon. 15th centurymighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Solos: Emily Fletcher, Claire Valencia, Tony Zacaroli,

Naveen RajendranDance and sing and leap with joyAt the birth of the infant boy. I sing of a maiden Dance with pipe and dance with drum. That is makeless;Tu-re-lu-re-lu! King of all kings Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan! To her son she ches.Dance with pipe and dance with drumFor to us is born a Son. He came all so still

Where his mother wasThe people that walked in darkness have seen a great As dew in April light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of That falleth on the grass.death, upon them hath the light shined.

He came all so still, Kyrie eleison To his mother's bow'rKyrie eleison. As dew in April Lord, have mercy upon us. That falleth on the flower.Christe eleison Christ, have mercy upon us. He came all so stillKyrie eleison Where his mother lay,Lord, have mercy upon us. As dew in April

That falleth on the spray.

Words: Psalm 84Words: Anon. 13th century, adapted

Dominus dabit benignitatem: et terra nostra dabit fructum suum. Of one that is so fair and bright,

Velut maris stella, [as a star of the sea]The Lord will show us his kindness, and our earth Brighter than the day is light,shall yield its fruit. Parens et puella: [mother and maiden]

I cry to thee thou see to meLady, pray thy son for me,Tam pia, [thou gracious one]That I may come to thee. Maria.

[3] I sing of a maiden John McCabe (1939-) W

[2] Dominus Dabit Benignitatem James MacMillan [4] A Hymn to the Virgin

Francis Pott (1957-)

Page 4 Page 5

and the main choir. By contrast, Francis Pott's Hymn to employs many of MacMillan's most characteristic the Virgin employs a fast-moving harmonic style to choral techniques, with the sopranos weaving long provide a pulsating reflection of the macaronic text. lines full of Scotch snaps over the trance-like

repetitions of the lower parts. Eventually, the choir th comes together in a new incandescent harmony before 18 century poetry is represented by carols using

the divided sopranos dissolve their 'Amen' into a nature imagery to illustrate the Christmas story. In hummed chord which appears to translate the hope of Spring in Winter (commissioned by King's College, the Advent message into an eternal mystery.Cambridge for the Festival of Nine Lessons and

Carols in 2001), John Woolrich treats the words of the © Sam Laughton 2011troubled Christopher Smart in an exotic through-

composed fashion. By contrast, the Irish Carol of the Birds inspired Stephen McNeff to a more 'traditional'-sounding melody, albeit with naturalistic sounds interposed in the refrains.

The youngest composers here represented are James Additional words: Anon (translated by James Lavino and Tarik O'Regan. Lavino's Before the paling Whitbourn), Isaiah, & Bernard de la Monnoye of the stars is a haunting setting of 'A Christmas Carol' (1641-1728) by Christina Rossetti, with its 'Christmas-card'

treatment of the Nativity. O'Regan however has turned Solo: Lois Gallagherto the contemporary poet Mark Pryce who brings a

modern social awareness to bear on the image of the Introitchild Jesus. In Bring rest, sweet dreaming child Guillô play your tambourin,(commissioned by Sam Laughton and the Elysian Robin with your flute begin,Singers in 2004), O'Regan uses the soprano solo and a Play your pipe and play your drum,harp to set up a deceptive peace, which is increasingly Tu-re-lu-re-lu!drowned out by the pressures of modern existence, Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan!before returning with the image of the 'sweet breathing Play your pipe and play your drum.child'.Sing Nowell to all and some!

James MacMillan is arguably the finest choral composer working today, and it is fitting that two of

Man of ancient days, he singshis 'Strathclyde Motets' complete the music on this In praise of the King of kings,disc. MacMillan combines his deep theology with an When you hear the pipe and drum,extraordinary palette to produce two quite different Tu-re-lu-re-lu!pieces. O Radiant Dawn, an antiphon for 21 Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan!December, was written for the composer's local parish When you hear the pipe and drumchurch in Maryhill, Glasgow, and is suitably You will know that the Saviour's come.straightforward both to perform and to listen to. The

more sophisticated Dominus dabit benignitatem

[1] n (1963-)

Processional Introit & Kyrie Eleiso(from ‘Missa Carolae’) James Whitbourn

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The ords: Anon. 15th centurymighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Solos: Emily Fletcher, Claire Valencia, Tony Zacaroli,

Naveen RajendranDance and sing and leap with joyAt the birth of the infant boy. I sing of a maiden Dance with pipe and dance with drum. That is makeless;Tu-re-lu-re-lu! King of all kings Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan! To her son she ches.Dance with pipe and dance with drumFor to us is born a Son. He came all so still

Where his mother wasThe people that walked in darkness have seen a great As dew in April light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of That falleth on the grass.death, upon them hath the light shined.

He came all so still, Kyrie eleison To his mother's bow'rKyrie eleison. As dew in April Lord, have mercy upon us. That falleth on the flower.Christe eleison Christ, have mercy upon us. He came all so stillKyrie eleison Where his mother lay,Lord, have mercy upon us. As dew in April

That falleth on the spray.

Words: Psalm 84Words: Anon. 13th century, adapted

Dominus dabit benignitatem: et terra nostra dabit fructum suum. Of one that is so fair and bright,

Velut maris stella, [as a star of the sea]The Lord will show us his kindness, and our earth Brighter than the day is light,shall yield its fruit. Parens et puella: [mother and maiden]

I cry to thee thou see to meLady, pray thy son for me,Tam pia, [thou gracious one]That I may come to thee. Maria.

[3] I sing of a maiden John McCabe (1939-) W

[2] Dominus Dabit Benignitatem James MacMillan [4] A Hymn to the Virgin

Francis Pott (1957-)

Page 4 Page 5

Lady, flower of alle thing, The angels all did sing,Rosa sine spina, [rose without thorn] O thou man, O thou man,Thou bere Jesu, Hevene King, The angels all did singGratia divina: [by divine grace] On heaven's high hill!Of alle Thou bear'st the prize, The angels all did sing,Lady, Queen of Paradise praises to our heavenly King,Electa; [chosen one] and peace to man living,Maid milde, mother es with a good will.Effecta. [you are fulfilled]

To Bethlem did they go,All this world was forlore O thou man, O thou man,Eva peccatrice, [by sinful Eve] To Bethlem did they goTill our Lord was ibore the shepherds three;De te genetrice. [of thee, his mother] To Bethlem did they goWith 'Ave' it went away, to see whether it were so,Darkest night, and cometh the day whether Christ were born or noSalutis. [of salvation] to set man free. The welle springeth out of thee. Virtutis. [of virtue]

Gloria in excelsisGloria in excelsis Deo.

Words: Thomas Ravenscroft? (c.1582-1635) Glory to God in the highest, Electric piano: Sam Laughton Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis

And on earth peace to people of good will.Remember, O thou man, Laudamus te. O thou man, O thou man. We praise you.Remember, O thou man, Benedicimus te.thy time is spent: We bless you.Remember, O thou man, Adoramus te. how thou art dead and gone, We adore you.and I did what I can: Glorificamus te. therefore repent. We glorify you.

Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam Remember God's goodness, We give thanks to you for your great gloryO thou man, O thou man, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Remember God's goodness, Lord God, Heavenly King,and promise made! Deus Pater omnipotens. Remember God's goodness, God Almighty Father.How he sent his Son, doubtless, Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe, our sins for to redress; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ,be not afraid! Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.

[5] Remember, O thou manBob Chilcott (1955-)

[6] Gloria in ExcelsisJames Whitbourn: (from ‘Missa Carolae’)

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father God all-bounteous, all-creative, Qui tollis peccata mundi, Whom no ills from good dissuade, You who take away the sins of the world, Is incarnate, and a native miserere nobis. Of the very world he made. have mercy on us.Qui tollis peccata mundi,You who take away the sins of the world

thsuscipe deprecationem nostram. Words: 18 century Irishhear our prayer.Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, Full many a bird did wake and fly,You who sit at the right hand of the Father. Curoo, curoo, curoo,miserere nobis, To the manger bed with a wandering cryhave mercy on us. On Christmas day in the morning.Quoniam tu solus Sanctus. Curoo, curoo, curoo.For you alone are holy.Tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe. The lark, the dove, the red bird came,You alone the Most High, Jesus Christ. Curoo, curoo, curoo,Cum Sancto Spiritu: in gloria Dei And they did sing in sweet Jesus' nameWith the Holy Spirit in the glory of On Christmas day in the morning.Patris. Amen Curoo, curoo, curoo.God the Father. Amen

The owl was there with eyes so wideCuroo, curoo, curooAnd he did sit at sweet Mary's side

Words: from Hymn 32, The Nativity of Our Lord and On Christmas day in the morning.Saviour Jesus Christ, by Christopher Smart (1722-71) Curoo, curoo, curoo.

Nature's decorations glisten The shepherds knelt upon the hay.Far above their usual trim; Curoo, curoo, curooBirds on box and laurels listen, And angels sang the night awayAs so near the cherubs hymn. On Christmas day in the morning.

Curoo, curoo, curoo.Boreas now no longer winters On the desolated coast; Oaks no more are riv'n in splinters By the whirlwind and his host.

Spinks and ouzles sing sublimely, 'We too have a Saviour born'; Whiter blossoms burst untimely On the blest Mosaic thorn.

[8] Carol of the BirdsStephen McNeff (1951-)

[7] Spring in WinterJohn Woolrich (1954-)

Page 6Page 7

Lady, flower of alle thing, The angels all did sing,Rosa sine spina, [rose without thorn] O thou man, O thou man,Thou bere Jesu, Hevene King, The angels all did singGratia divina: [by divine grace] On heaven's high hill!Of alle Thou bear'st the prize, The angels all did sing,Lady, Queen of Paradise praises to our heavenly King,Electa; [chosen one] and peace to man living,Maid milde, mother es with a good will.Effecta. [you are fulfilled]

To Bethlem did they go,All this world was forlore O thou man, O thou man,Eva peccatrice, [by sinful Eve] To Bethlem did they goTill our Lord was ibore the shepherds three;De te genetrice. [of thee, his mother] To Bethlem did they goWith 'Ave' it went away, to see whether it were so,Darkest night, and cometh the day whether Christ were born or noSalutis. [of salvation] to set man free. The welle springeth out of thee. Virtutis. [of virtue]

Gloria in excelsisGloria in excelsis Deo.

Words: Thomas Ravenscroft? (c.1582-1635) Glory to God in the highest, Electric piano: Sam Laughton Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis

And on earth peace to people of good will.Remember, O thou man, Laudamus te. O thou man, O thou man. We praise you.Remember, O thou man, Benedicimus te.thy time is spent: We bless you.Remember, O thou man, Adoramus te. how thou art dead and gone, We adore you.and I did what I can: Glorificamus te. therefore repent. We glorify you.

Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam Remember God's goodness, We give thanks to you for your great gloryO thou man, O thou man, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Remember God's goodness, Lord God, Heavenly King,and promise made! Deus Pater omnipotens. Remember God's goodness, God Almighty Father.How he sent his Son, doubtless, Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe, our sins for to redress; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ,be not afraid! Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.

[5] Remember, O thou manBob Chilcott (1955-)

[6] Gloria in ExcelsisJames Whitbourn: (from ‘Missa Carolae’)

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father God all-bounteous, all-creative, Qui tollis peccata mundi, Whom no ills from good dissuade, You who take away the sins of the world, Is incarnate, and a native miserere nobis. Of the very world he made. have mercy on us.Qui tollis peccata mundi,You who take away the sins of the world

thsuscipe deprecationem nostram. Words: 18 century Irishhear our prayer.Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, Full many a bird did wake and fly,You who sit at the right hand of the Father. Curoo, curoo, curoo,miserere nobis, To the manger bed with a wandering cryhave mercy on us. On Christmas day in the morning.Quoniam tu solus Sanctus. Curoo, curoo, curoo.For you alone are holy.Tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe. The lark, the dove, the red bird came,You alone the Most High, Jesus Christ. Curoo, curoo, curoo,Cum Sancto Spiritu: in gloria Dei And they did sing in sweet Jesus' nameWith the Holy Spirit in the glory of On Christmas day in the morning.Patris. Amen Curoo, curoo, curoo.God the Father. Amen

The owl was there with eyes so wideCuroo, curoo, curooAnd he did sit at sweet Mary's side

Words: from Hymn 32, The Nativity of Our Lord and On Christmas day in the morning.Saviour Jesus Christ, by Christopher Smart (1722-71) Curoo, curoo, curoo.

Nature's decorations glisten The shepherds knelt upon the hay.Far above their usual trim; Curoo, curoo, curooBirds on box and laurels listen, And angels sang the night awayAs so near the cherubs hymn. On Christmas day in the morning.

Curoo, curoo, curoo.Boreas now no longer winters On the desolated coast; Oaks no more are riv'n in splinters By the whirlwind and his host.

Spinks and ouzles sing sublimely, 'We too have a Saviour born'; Whiter blossoms burst untimely On the blest Mosaic thorn.

[8] Carol of the BirdsStephen McNeff (1951-)

[7] Spring in WinterJohn Woolrich (1954-)

Page 6Page 7

Page 8

[9] The Angel GabrielTraditional Basque - arr. Howard Goodall (1958-)

[11] Before the paling of the starsJames Lavino (1973-)

BenedictusBenedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Words: Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LordHosanna in excelsis.

Solo: Geraldine Mynors Hosanna in the highest. Cello: Deirdre Hollingsworth

The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame: Words: 'A Christmas Carol' by Christina Rossetti 'All hail,' said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary' (1830-1894)Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!

Before the paling of the stars,Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head; Before the winter morn,'To me be as it pleaseth God,' she said. Before the earliest cock crow,'My soul shall laud and magnify his holy Name.' Jesus Christ was born:Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Born in a stable,

Cradled in a manger,'For known a blessed Mother thou shalt be, In the world his hands had madeAll generations laud and honour thee: Born a stranger.Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold.'Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Priest and king lay fast asleep

In Jerusalem;Of her Emmanuel, the Christ, was born, Young and old lay fast asleepIn Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn; In crowded Bethlehem;And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say: Saint and angel, ox and ass,Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Kept a watch together

Before the Christmas daybreakIn the winter weather.

Sanctus Jesus on his mother's breastSanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, In the stable cold,Holy, Holy, Holy, Spotless lamb of God was he,Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Shepherd of the fold:Lord God of hosts, Let us kneel with Mary maid,Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. With Joseph bent and hoary,Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory, With saint and angel, ox and ass,Hosanna in excelsis. To hail the King of Glory.Hosanna in the highest.

[10] Sanctus & BenedictusJames Whitbourn (from ‘Missa Carolae’)

[12] Bring rest, sweet dreaming childTarik O'Regan (1978-), Words: Mark PryceCommissioned by Sam Laughton and the Elysian Singers of London in 2004 with the aid of a generous grant from the PRS for Music Foundation.

Harp:

[15] Silent NightF. Gruber - arr. Jonathan Rathbone (1957-)Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright,Round yon virgin mother and child,Holy infant so tender and mild,Sleep in heavenly peace,Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight,Glories stream from heaven afar,Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia”,Jesus the Saviour is born,Jesus the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night, Holy babe smiles alight, Radiant from Thy innocent face, In this saving hour of Thy grace,Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Agnus DeiAgnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

Solo: Helly Seeley Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Maria-Christina Papadopoulou Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have

mercy on us.If you came at night, Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis Pushing your way down the long dark pacem. Out into starlight; Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, Come now into our anxious, sleepless hours: grant us peace.Bring rest, sweet dreaming child.

If you came at dawn,Lifting a voice from the dumb void,Your new song born;Speak now into our shouting, stifled days:Bring praise, sweet singing child.

If you came at day'sNoon, spreading out your arms to shadeFrom anger's fierce sun-blaze;Reach now into our frenzied, drifting years:Bring peace, sweet trusting child.

If you came at dusk,Warming our chill fears with the bloodOf love's sure pulse;Touch now the numb limbs of our fading lives:Bring love, sweet breathing child.

[13] O Radiant DawnJames MacMillan (1959-)Words: Antiphon for 21 DecemberO Radiant Dawn, Splendour of eternal Light, Sun of Justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness Silent night, holy night, and the shadow of death. Isaiah had prophesied: 'The Silent night. people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.' Amen.

[14] Agnus Dei (from ‘Missa Carolae’)James Whitbourn

Page 8

[9] The Angel GabrielTraditional Basque - arr. Howard Goodall (1958-)

[11] Before the paling of the starsJames Lavino (1973-)

BenedictusBenedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Words: Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LordHosanna in excelsis.

Solo: Geraldine Mynors Hosanna in the highest. Cello: Deirdre Hollingsworth

The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame: Words: 'A Christmas Carol' by Christina Rossetti 'All hail,' said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary' (1830-1894)Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!

Before the paling of the stars,Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head; Before the winter morn,'To me be as it pleaseth God,' she said. Before the earliest cock crow,'My soul shall laud and magnify his holy Name.' Jesus Christ was born:Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Born in a stable,

Cradled in a manger,'For known a blessed Mother thou shalt be, In the world his hands had madeAll generations laud and honour thee: Born a stranger.Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold.'Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Priest and king lay fast asleep

In Jerusalem;Of her Emmanuel, the Christ, was born, Young and old lay fast asleepIn Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn; In crowded Bethlehem;And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say: Saint and angel, ox and ass,Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Kept a watch together

Before the Christmas daybreakIn the winter weather.

Sanctus Jesus on his mother's breastSanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, In the stable cold,Holy, Holy, Holy, Spotless lamb of God was he,Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Shepherd of the fold:Lord God of hosts, Let us kneel with Mary maid,Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. With Joseph bent and hoary,Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory, With saint and angel, ox and ass,Hosanna in excelsis. To hail the King of Glory.Hosanna in the highest.

[10] Sanctus & BenedictusJames Whitbourn (from ‘Missa Carolae’)

[12] Bring rest, sweet dreaming childTarik O'Regan (1978-), Words: Mark PryceCommissioned by Sam Laughton and the Elysian Singers of London in 2004 with the aid of a generous grant from the PRS for Music Foundation.

Harp:

[15] Silent NightF. Gruber - arr. Jonathan Rathbone (1957-)Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright,Round yon virgin mother and child,Holy infant so tender and mild,Sleep in heavenly peace,Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight,Glories stream from heaven afar,Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia”,Jesus the Saviour is born,Jesus the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night, Holy babe smiles alight, Radiant from Thy innocent face, In this saving hour of Thy grace,Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Agnus DeiAgnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

Solo: Helly Seeley Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Maria-Christina Papadopoulou Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have

mercy on us.If you came at night, Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis Pushing your way down the long dark pacem. Out into starlight; Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, Come now into our anxious, sleepless hours: grant us peace.Bring rest, sweet dreaming child.

If you came at dawn,Lifting a voice from the dumb void,Your new song born;Speak now into our shouting, stifled days:Bring praise, sweet singing child.

If you came at day'sNoon, spreading out your arms to shadeFrom anger's fierce sun-blaze;Reach now into our frenzied, drifting years:Bring peace, sweet trusting child.

If you came at dusk,Warming our chill fears with the bloodOf love's sure pulse;Touch now the numb limbs of our fading lives:Bring love, sweet breathing child.

[13] O Radiant DawnJames MacMillan (1959-)Words: Antiphon for 21 DecemberO Radiant Dawn, Splendour of eternal Light, Sun of Justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness Silent night, holy night, and the shadow of death. Isaiah had prophesied: 'The Silent night. people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.' Amen.

[14] Agnus Dei (from ‘Missa Carolae’)James Whitbourn

Sam Laughton The Elysian SingersWhilst reading music at Cambridge University, Sam The Elysian Singers of London, under musical director Laughton developed his instrumental, conducting, and Sam Laughton, is one of the UK's leading chamber organisational skills as organ scholar of Sidney Sussex choirs, and is known for its adventurous programming College. He now juggles life as a father of four young and imaginative repertoire.children with busy careers as a barrister and musician. Founded in 1986 by Matthew Greenall, the group He is musical director of the Elysian Singers, the quickly developed a special interest in contemporary Craswall Players and the Chiltern Camerata. Sam is music, giving the world premieres of works by John devoted to conducting and organising the music camps Woolrich, Howard Skempton and Sir John Tavener at Pigotts, and is in demand as a guest conductor, who, since 2002, has been the choir's patron. working with such orchestras as the Oxford Sinfonia,

Recent world premieres include John Habron's Salve Kensington Chamber Orchestra, the Kew Sinfonia and Regina, Exile Lamentations by the Australian composer the Orchestra of the City. He has also worked with the Paul Stanhope, and in March 2011, Ian Stephens's groups as varied as Oxford Philomusica, the Joyful Timepieces for choir and saxophone. London premieres Company of Singers and ENO Baylis.during the past six years include works by Peter Maxwell Davies, James MacMillan, James Whitbourn Mark Brafieldand Henryk Gorecki. The choir regularly performs Mark Brafield is a founder member of the Elysian Baroque and Romantic masterpieces at venues such as Singers. He held an Organ Scholarship together with an St John's, Smith Square, St Martin-in-the-Fields and Open Scholarship in English Literature at Trinity Holy Trinity, Sloane Square. It has also taken part in College, Oxford and is a Fellow and Trustee of the numerous festivals, including the Spitalfields Festival, Royal College of Organists. Mark combines a legal the Corsham Festival, the London Festival of profession as a solicitor and judge with a career as a Contemporary Church Music, the Malcolm Arnold concert organist. His recent recitals have included Festival, the York Late Music concert series and the Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, St Thomas's, English Music Festival. Fifth Avenue, New York, and Notre Dame de Paris.In 2004, the Elysians released a CD of music by James MacMillan Cantos Sagrados which received outstanding reviews and a 5-star rating from BBC Music Magazine. Reviewing Songs of the Isles, the choir's 2009 Bantock release with Meridian, the same publication spoke of the Elysians' “young, fresh-toned voices, brightly attentive to text without becoming over-punctilious.”

There have been several radio and television broadcasts, including the first broadcast performances of Gorecki's Miserere and Three Lullabies on BBC Radio 3, the televised finals of the Sainsbury's Choir of the Year competition and BBC2's Lesley Garrett Easter Special.

Sam Laughton The Elysian SingersWhilst reading music at Cambridge University, Sam The Elysian Singers of London, under musical director Laughton developed his instrumental, conducting, and Sam Laughton, is one of the UK's leading chamber organisational skills as organ scholar of Sidney Sussex choirs, and is known for its adventurous programming College. He now juggles life as a father of four young and imaginative repertoire.children with busy careers as a barrister and musician. Founded in 1986 by Matthew Greenall, the group He is musical director of the Elysian Singers, the quickly developed a special interest in contemporary Craswall Players and the Chiltern Camerata. Sam is music, giving the world premieres of works by John devoted to conducting and organising the music camps Woolrich, Howard Skempton and Sir John Tavener at Pigotts, and is in demand as a guest conductor, who, since 2002, has been the choir's patron. working with such orchestras as the Oxford Sinfonia,

Recent world premieres include John Habron's Salve Kensington Chamber Orchestra, the Kew Sinfonia and Regina, Exile Lamentations by the Australian composer the Orchestra of the City. He has also worked with the Paul Stanhope, and in March 2011, Ian Stephens's groups as varied as Oxford Philomusica, the Joyful Timepieces for choir and saxophone. London premieres Company of Singers and ENO Baylis.during the past six years include works by Peter Maxwell Davies, James MacMillan, James Whitbourn Mark Brafieldand Henryk Gorecki. The choir regularly performs Mark Brafield is a founder member of the Elysian Baroque and Romantic masterpieces at venues such as Singers. He held an Organ Scholarship together with an St John's, Smith Square, St Martin-in-the-Fields and Open Scholarship in English Literature at Trinity Holy Trinity, Sloane Square. It has also taken part in College, Oxford and is a Fellow and Trustee of the numerous festivals, including the Spitalfields Festival, Royal College of Organists. Mark combines a legal the Corsham Festival, the London Festival of profession as a solicitor and judge with a career as a Contemporary Church Music, the Malcolm Arnold concert organist. His recent recitals have included Festival, the York Late Music concert series and the Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, St Thomas's, English Music Festival. Fifth Avenue, New York, and Notre Dame de Paris.In 2004, the Elysians released a CD of music by James MacMillan Cantos Sagrados which received outstanding reviews and a 5-star rating from BBC Music Magazine. Reviewing Songs of the Isles, the choir's 2009 Bantock release with Meridian, the same publication spoke of the Elysians' “young, fresh-toned voices, brightly attentive to text without becoming over-punctilious.”

There have been several radio and television broadcasts, including the first broadcast performances of Gorecki's Miserere and Three Lullabies on BBC Radio 3, the televised finals of the Sainsbury's Choir of the Year competition and BBC2's Lesley Garrett Easter Special.

GRANVILLE BANTOCK

DIRECTOR: SAM LAUGHTON

SONGS OF THE ISLES

THE ELYSIAN SINGERS

1. The Death of Morar

Two Irish Folksongs2. Arranmore3. Emer's Lament for Cuchulain

Three Settings of Alfred Hayes4. Nocturne5. O what a lovely magic hath been here6. Sadly in the silent west

Three Songs of the Hebrides7. The Mermaid's Croon8. Milking Song9. The Death Croon

Two Scottish Folksongs10. O can ye sew cushions11. Dumbarton's Drums

Two Poems of W.B.Yeats12. A Faery Song13. The Lake Isle of Innisfree

Two Scottish Poems 14. Song to the Seals15. My luve is like a red, red rose

Also AvailableMeridian CDE84570

“...Laughton and the Elysian Singers do fair justice to this interesting programme. Theirs is a clean, young, fresh sound...” Jeremy Dibble - Gramophone, Aug 2009