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Displaying 1-16 of 16 items.
Review: Listeners who love the sound and mood of the most traditional Christmas carols and hymns should be delighted with this collection of choral arrangements made by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The majority of the pieces are traditional English carols, many of which the composer collected himself as part of his research on folk song. For several of the carols where only a text survives, he wrote the melody. A few of the selections may be familiar to American audiences and a few more to fans of English choral music, but by and large these carols will be obscure to general audiences. Their tone tends to be gently contemplative rather than exuberantly celebratory; they're more similar to "Away in a Manger" than "Joy to the World." Vaughan Williams' intent was to create music that could be sung by the average church congregation or church choir, so the arrangements are simple and traditional. Some are arranged for unison singing, but most are in four parts. Songlist: Hereford Carol, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night (unspecified tune), Snow in the Street ("From far away we come to you"), carol for chorus, Song of the Crib, The Holy Well, carol for chorus or voice & piano (Traditional Carols from Herefordshire No. 1 & No. 2; 2 versions), The Salutation Carol, Blake's Cradle Song ("Sweet dreams, form a shade o'er my lovely infant's head"), carol for chorus, O Little Town of Bethlehem, carol (arr. from English traditional, "Forest Green"), Wassail Song ("Wassail, wassail, all over the town"), carol for chorus ("Gloucestershire Wassail"), The Miraculous Harvest, carol for chorus or voice & piano (Traditional Carols from Herefordshire No. 10), How Far Is It to Bethlehem? (Children's Song of the Nativity) (Tune: Stowey) (English), The Golden Carol ("Now is ChristĂmas y-come"), carol for chorus, Wither's Rocking Hymn ("Sweet baby, sleep! What ails my dear?"), carol for chorus, Behold the great Creator makes, hymn ("This Endris Nyght"), Christmas Hymn ("Now Blessed by Thou, Christ Jesu"), for baritone or tenor, chorus & orchestra in F major (Choral Hymns No. 2), The truth sent from above, carol for chorus or voice & piano (Traditional English Carols No. 6), And All in the Morning ("On Christmas Day"), carol for chorus or voice & piano (Traditional English Carols No. 1), On Christmas Night, carol for chorus or voice & piano ("Sussex Carol"; Traditional English Carols No. 2) 
London Welsh Chorale : A Century of Welsh MusicReview: The London Welsh Chorale's second CD: Cennin Aur - A Century of Welsh Music charts the progress of choral music in Wales over the last hundred years. The most recent work being In My Craft by Geraint Lewis, a commission to celebrate the life of Dylan Thomas whose daughter Aeronwy was one of the Chorale's vice presidents for many years. Songlist: Efe A Ddaw, Gweddi Y Pechadur, Yr Arglwydd Yw Fy Mugail, Dyn A Aned O Wraig, Gwel Uwchlaw Cymylau Amser, Dyrchafaf Fy Llygaid, Laudamus, Molwch Yr Arglwydd, Y Mae Afon, Cennin Aur, Cadwyn, Magnificat & Numc Dimittis, In My Craft Or Sullen Art
Men Aloud : Live From WalesReview: Fresh off their Platinum album debut, and on the heels of their stunning victory on BBC's television smash hit show, Last Choir Standing , Britain's favorite choir MEN ALOUD is set to bring their unique music making to North America. The choir, led by Tim Rhys-Evans, features 20 tremendous vocal talents from across Wales. In addition, Men Aloud is also a recent winner of the Classical Brit Album of the Year award for their second album, Band of Brothers. The program was produced in association with the BBC and was filmed in the Wales Millennium Center with featured performances by opera star Bryn Terfel, John Owen Jones (leading man of Broadway and London's West End's Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera & Showboat) and pop icon, Bonnie Tyler. Men Aloud was formed in 2000 by Tim Rhys-Evans. Tim s primary aim was to encourage young men to get involved with one of Wales oldest and best loved traditions, male voice singing. The group are unafraid to tackle music not normally associated with male voice choirs, and their repertoire ranges from the 17th Century to the present day. Songlist: O Verona, It Ain't Necessarily So, Don't Rain on My Parade, Macarthur Park, Bridge Over Troubled Water, All by Myself, Bui-Doi, Sit Down You'Re Rocking the Boat, Rhythm of Life, Cwm Rhondda, Gwahoddiad, Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Rhos Orpheus Male Choir : Carols at ChristmasReview: The Village of RHOSLLANNERCHRUGOG ("Rhos") is situated some 4 miles south west of Wrexham in North Wales, which itself is 12 miles south of the historic Roman city of Chester. lt is a former mining village, but the last remaining pit closed in 1987. Once known as the largest village in Wales, it has a long history of producing talented performers in all areas of the arts. Over the years, it has been home to two male voice choirs, a ladies' choir, a girls' choir, a mixed choir and a championship quality Silver Band. Rhos has been the birthplace of many top class musicians, actors and singers who have made significant contributions to Welsh culture not only as performers, but also as writers and composers. Here the male choir sings some holiday favorites. Songlist: The First Nowell, While Shepards Watched, Deck The Halls, Away In A Manger, Coventry Carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The Holly And The Ivy, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, In The Bleak Midwinter, Ding-Dong Merrily On High, We Three Kings, O, Little Town Of Bethlehem, Once In Royal David's City, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, Silent Night
Tenebrae : Paul Mealor - A Tender LightReview: The sublime new album from the star composer of the Royal Wedding. Performed by the Tenebrae Choir and also features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra the album includes the moving A Spotless Rose and Ubi Caritas, performed at the Royal Wedding. "Paul Mealor has a deep connection with our choral heritage yet his works have immediacy and modernity. He has the rare gift of being able to create joyous melody within music that is both sincere and profound. This is an album with hints of Celtic mystery, moments of great solemnity, splendiferous singing and above all sumptuous tunes." - Gareth Malone - Choir Master and BAFTA Award-winning BBC Presenter of The Choir Songlist: Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal, Lady, When I Behold The Roses Sprouting, Upon A Bank, A Spotless Rose, She Walks In Beauty, O Vos Omnes, Stabat Mater, Salvator Mundi: Greater Love, Locus Iste, Ave Maria, Ubi Caritas
Tredegar Orpheus Male Choir : the Voice Of WalesReview: The rich blend of Tenors, Baritones and Basses in the male voice choir has an appealing homogeneity and power, one that has flourished in Wales hymn-singing festivals for centuries. 15 memorable tunes: "God Bless the Prince of Wales," written in 1862 gets the CD off to a rousing start, and the two best-loved Welsh hymns "Cvm Rhondda" (Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah"), and "The Lord Is My Shepherd," now known as the tune "Crimond" are well done here. "Fantasia on Famous Welsh Airs," the dramatic "The Lost Chord," "See, The Conquering Hero Comes," "The Ash Grove," the exciting "Hunting the Hare," and two spirituals, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Nobody Knows The Trouble I See Lord," are particularly wonderful. Some organ, harp and piano accompaniment. The Tredegar Orpheus Male Voice Choir, directed by Ieuan Davies, and the Rhos Orpheus Male Voice Choir are as good as they come, with a visceral, ancient wall of sound that hits us where we live. "Voice of Wales" is powerful and wonderful! Songlist: God Bless The Prince Of Wales, David Of The White Rock, The Rising Of The lark, All Through The Night, Hunting The Hare, Fantasia On Famous Welsh Airs, The Lost Chord, See The Conquering hero Comes, The ash Grove, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah, Crimond, Praise Ye The Lord, Nobody Knows The Trouble I See Lord, And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed
Various Artists : Take Me Home - The Male Choirs of WalesReview: A beautiful collection of favourite songs by the Welsh Male Voice choirs from Porth Tywyn, Godre'r Aran, Bangor, Llangwm, Dyffryn Tywi, Caernarfon, Lleisiau'r Frogwy, Dyffryn Tywi, Hogia'r Ddwylan, Llanelli, Cwmbach, Brythoniaid, Dyffryn Peris, Pendyrus & Maesteg Gleemen. Songlist: Take Me Home, Dawnsio'r Ffandango, Lily Of The Valley, Bytholwyrdd, Hen Fenyw Fach Cydweli, When The Saints Go Marching In, Gwenno Penygelli, Un Dydd Ar Y Tro, The Rhythm Of Life, Gweddi Dros Gymru (Finlandia), Cwm Rhondda, Pan Fo'r Nos Yn Hir, La Vergine, Dyffryn Peris, Morte Criste, The Lonely Steppe, Kalinka, Myfanwy, Llongau Caernarfon, You'll Never Walk Alon
Various Artists : Welsh Choirs Sing FolkReview: Two great Welsh tradition have been brought together on this recording: the Male Choir tradition on the one hand, and the wealth of traditional folk songs on the other. Two traditions of the Welsh people, - two "folk" tradition in the true sense of that over-used word. It is very difficult to say precisely how old these songs are, though it is evident tat some are considerable older than others. They mainly reflect the rural way of life, though there are more recent and urban connections to songs such as "Ffarwel i ddociau Lerpwl" ("Farewell to Liverpool docks") and "Sosban Fach", known the world over as Llanelli's rugby anthem. Two recurring themes are romance and the battle for Welsh independence, and there are also a lullaby and children's songs such as "Hen fenyw fach Cydweli" ("The old woman of Kidwelly"). 24 traditional songs in all, - arranged for Male Choirs in four-part harmony. Songlist: Deryn Y Bwn O'r Banna, Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn, Tair Alaw Werin Gymreig-Rew-Di-Ranno/Mae 'Nghariad I'n Fenws/Hela'r Sgyfarnog, Y Pren Ar Y Bryn, Tros Y Garreg, Fantasia On Famous Welsh Airs, Si Hei Lwli 'Mabi, Ffarwel I Ddociau Lerwpl, Dacw 'Nghariad, Gwn Dafydd Ifan, Lisa Lan, Hen Ferchetan, Ar Lan Y Mor, Cadwyn O Alawon-Ar Hyd Y Nos/Dafydd Y Garreg Wen/Sosban Fach, Titrwm, Tatrwm, Hen Fenyw Fach Cydweli
Various Choirs : Ultimate Welsh ChoirsReview: Enjoy the sound of Wales with this extensive collection performed by some of the country's most cherished choirs. Featuring traditional Welsh songs, West End musical classics and popular standards this collection is full of spirit and charm. A beautifully packaged 2 CD set. Songlist: Love Changes Everything, Take Me Home, Sailing, Lily of the Valley, Do You Hear the People Sing?, The Sound Of Silence, Gloria, I Have a Dream, With a Voice of Singing, The Wonder of You, Solitare, There's A Valley Called the Rhondda, Battle Hymn of the Republic, The Lost Chord, Where Shall I Be?, Abide With Me, Passing By, Love Could I Only Tell The, Sunrise Sunset, Amen, The Crusaders, Pilgrims Chorus, Softly As I Leave You, Rhythm of Life, Myfanwy, Deryn Y Bwn o'r Banna, Speed Your Journey, Beautiful Dreamer, Calm is the Sea, Amazing Grace, and more
Men Aloud : Live From WalesReview: Fresh off their Platinum album debut, and on the heels of their stunning victory on BBC's television smash hit show, Last Choir Standing , Britain's favorite choir MEN ALOUD is set to bring their unique music making to North America. The choir, led by Tim Rhys-Evans, features 20 tremendous vocal talents from across Wales. In addition, Men Aloud is also a recent winner of the Classical Brit Album of the Year award for their second album, Band of Brothers. The program was produced in association with the BBC and was filmed in the Wales Millennium Center with featured performances by opera star Bryn Terfel, John Owen Jones (leading man of Broadway and London's West End's Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera & Showboat) and pop icon, Bonnie Tyler. Men Aloud was formed in 2000 by Tim Rhys-Evans. Tim s primary aim was to encourage young men to get involved with one of Wales oldest and best loved traditions, male voice singing. The group are unafraid to tackle music not normally associated with male voice choirs, and their repertoire ranges from the 17th Century to the present day. Songlist: O Verona, It Ain't Necessarily So, Don't Rain on My Parade, Macarthur Park, Bridge Over Troubled Water, All by Myself, Bui-Doi, Sit Down You'Re Rocking the Boat, Rhythm of Life, Cwm Rhondda, Gwahoddiad, Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Hilary Tann : Wales, Our Land (Cymru, ein gwlad)Review: Wales, Our Land was composed during late summer 2002 in response to a commission from the Welsh Heritage Program at Green Mountain College, Vermont. This lilting, beautiful choral work sets text by an unknown Welsh-American slate quarryman which speaks of the poet's love of his country of origin, perhaps, even, his longing to return. It is this sense of longing for the homeland (in Welsh, hiraeth) which infuses the composition. The work is sung in English but the words "Wales, our land," may be substituted for the three recurring Welsh words, "Cymru, ein gwlad."
Margery Hargest Jones : Songs of WalesReview: Bumper collections of folk songs with manageable piano accompaniments, guitar chords and background notes. Ideal for solo singers of all ages or for classroom singing and cross-curricular activities. Songlist: A Lovely Lady Softly Sighed, All The Day (North Wales Version), All The Day (South Wales Version), All Through The Night, As The Night Is Approaching, David Of The White Rock, Fair Country, Farewell My Dear Country, Forth To The Battle, From Your Slumber Arise!, God Bless The Prince Of Wales, If She Were Mine, In The Vale Of Llangollen, Land Of My Fathers, Let Now The Harp, Loudly Proclaim, Megan's Fair Daughter, Men Of Harlech, My Heart, My Lady Is More Fair, New Year's Eve, O Mountain White, On this day, Once A Farmer And His Wife, One Bright Summer Morning, Over The Stone, Sad Was The Day, So Early In The Morning, Springtime Is Returning, The Ash Grove, and more Style: World / Folk
Review: A Tender Light is a collection of new choral music by the Welsh composer Paul Mealor, including the Ubi caritas, made famous by its inclusion in the Royal Wedding Ceremony of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey in April 2011. 2.5 billion people (the largest audience in broadcasting history) heard his Motet on that day and since then it has topped the Classical singles charts in the USA, UK, Australia, France and New Zealand and has already entered the standard repertoire for many choirs. For singers wanting to explore further the music of Mealor, this book also contains the luminous She Walks in Beauty, the contemplative O vos omnes and the madrigal sequence Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal. Locus iste and Ave Maria are modern yet timeless settings of well-known texts. This is a must-have collection for any mixed voice choir wanting to explore the latest and best in choral repertoire. Songlist: She Walks in Beauty, Locus iste, Ave Maria, Ubi caritas
Paul Mealor : Now Sleeps the Crimson PetalReview: Four madrigals on rose texts for unaccompanied SATB (with divisi). Commissioned by John Armitage Memorial and first performed by the joint choirs of the University of St. Andrews Chapel Choir, University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir and the Edinburgh University Chamber Choir, conducted by Michael Bawtree. Songlist: Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal, Lady, When I Behold The Roses Sprouting, Upon A Bank With Roses About, A Spotless Rose
Review: Paul Mealor's setting of the Latin hymn, Ubi Caritas, was composed for the royal wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton and first performed by the Choirs of Westminster Abbey and Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, St. James' Palace, conducted by James O'Donnell, at the wedding service at Westminster Abbey. Songlist: Ubi Caritas
Simon Halsey : Five Welsh CarolsReview: These lyrical and atmospheric carols for the Christmas season offer choirs the chance of exploring treasures from one of the most musical of nations. The Welsh texts are accompanied by new English singing translations. Songlist: The Shepherds Were Keeping Their Watch (Roed Yn Y Wlad Honno), Come from Ev'ry Land (Tua Bethl'em Dref), Come All Christians, Singing (O Deued Pob Cristion), Dark the Night (Seren Bethlehem), Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly (Oer Yw'r Gwr Sy'n Methu Caru) |
