Vox Musica is a 13-strong, women's choral ensemble from Sacramento, CA, directed by Daniel Paulsen, and "Christmas Colours" was recorded in Sacramento's St. Paul's Episcopal Church. We could tell we were hearing something very special here with the first of 12 Christmas tunes, John Tavener's difficult, soaring and often dissonant "A Nativity" and Cesar Carrillo's "Ave Maria," which the group handled beautifully and easily. A very sweet 17th Century German Carol, "Es Sungen Drei Engel," the lilting, joyous "Gaudete, a 16th Century Finnish Carol, Franz Biebl's lovely "Zundet An Das Licht," Tavener's "The Lord's Prayer," the 16th Century Irish melody "Love Came Down At Christmas," Nancy Telfer's 4-part "Missa Brevis" and "Silent Night," nicely arranged by Paulsen, completed the album. Many of these songs are new to us, and we were surprised and delighted to hear them. Listen to the echoing, soaring song of angels, "Love Came Down At Christmas," and you will see what we mean! |
