Christmas with the Academy

Read About This Recording

The story of the birth of Jesus more than 2,000 years ago has been the source of inspiration for countless poets and musicians, as well as practitioners of other forms of art. The story is well-known — the infant born of a virgin in a cattle shed because there was no room at the inn; the angel of the Lord appearing to shepherds in the field bringing them news of great joy; the Three Kings led by a star and bearing precious gifts — all are part of the Gospel narrative that has kindled the imagination of creative artists and provided a wealth of vocal and instrumental music with which we celebrate the festival of Christmas.

Most carols and hymns have come down through the ages and in some instances have been adapted to what are considered the most popular and classic versions. Sir Neville Marriner leads the Academy and Chorus of St. Martin in the Fields in a wonderful album of Christmas favorites that listeners are sure to treasure. The music spans several centuries ranging from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and "L'enfance du Christ" by Berlioz to the elegant Christmas lullaby "Still, Still, Still" and the simple "Silent Night," a song hurriedly written for voice and guitar because the organ's bellows gave out one cold Christmas night in a small mountain church in Germany.

The album begins with the sound of the church bells of St. Bartholomew's Church in Somerset, England and takes the listener through the music of Christmas, beginning with the carol "Past Three O'clock" and ending with "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Marriner is joined by his friends Ian Bostridge, Rosemary Joshua and Gerald Finley. Together with the orchestra and angelic chorus, they create a beautiful Christmas setting. The singing is crisp and clean and the playing is exceptional.

The album features a good variety of carols and traditional holiday music and overall, the recording production and sound is topnotch. Christmas With the Academy will be a staple in any Christmas collection. Highly recommended.

—Terrence London

Quotes

"Sir Neville Marriner's contribution to musical life since he founded the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields has been enormous. There can't be many classical record collections in the country that don't contain something by him." —The Independent

Contents

Church Bells — Past Three a Clock; O Come, All Ye Faithful; Ding Dong! Merrily on High; In the Bleak Midwinter; Christmas Oratorio: Sinfonia; Once in Royal David's City; Sussex Carol; Quelle est cette odeur agréable?; Il est né le divin enfant; L'enfance du Christ: L'adiue des bergers a la Sainte Famille; Le repos de la Saint Famille; Es ist ein Ros entsprungen; Stille Nacht; Still, Still, Still; Singt unde klingt; The Holly and the Ivy; The Three Kings; Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day; Away in a Manger; Christmas Song (Personent hodie); In dulci jubilo; Jesus Christ the Apple Tree; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing — Church Bells.

Chorus & Orchestra of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Sir Neville Marriner, Conductor.