Ralph Vaughn Williams: Hodie, A Christmas Cantata; Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Elizabeth Gale, Robert Tear, Stephen Roberts, London Symphony Chorus, Choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral, London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Richard Hickox
Musical Heritage Society (MHS 514727F)

Christmas with the Robert Shaw Chorale
Christmas Hymns and Carols, Volumes I & II
Benjamin Britten, A Ceremony of Carols; Festival Te Deum;
Rejoice in the Lamb
Robert Shaw Chorale, Robert Shaw, conductor
Musical Heritage Society (MHS 524314Y; 2 CDs)

The Ralph Vaughn William's works celebrating Christmas were written 40 years apart. "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" is scored for baritone, choir and orchestra. Based on four traditional Christmas Carols, the Fantasia echoes RVW's love for the English folk song and music of the Tudor period. "Hodie," is RVW's second tribute to the Spirit of Christmas. It is a more ambitious piece set with a richer musical palette to a wealth of texts including an anthology of poems ranging from the 17 ^th to 20 ^th centuries, The King James Bible, The Book of Common Prayer, and a poem written by RVW's wife, Ursula. Richard Hickox leads an accomplished ensemble of fine musicians. Both pieces are performed with a festal exuberance which faithfully captures the many moods of RVW's musical language. The sound is rich and full without blurring the orchestral and vocal textures which are remarkably clear. Texts and translations are included.

The incomparable homogenous blend of voices that was a trademark of the Robert Shaw Chorale's vocal magic is perfect for these two collections of traditional Christmas carols and hymns and they are sung with fervent Holiday spirit. The first collection (stereo) dates from 1957; the second (mono) is from 1952. The Benjamin Britten works were composed before and around the time of his opera Peter Grimes. Rejoice in the Lamb and the Festival Te Deum and were written for specific church anniversaries. Set to poems by Southwell, Cornish, the Wedderburns and unknown authors, The Ceremony of Carols expresses the joy and mystery of Christmas with a decided medieval touch. The Shaw Chorale is sympathetic to Britten's sometimes deceptively simple and very British musical idiom performing the three Britten pieces with excellent, sensitive musicianship. The sound engineers have done an outstanding job in transferring the original master tapes to CD with only a minimum of microphone distortion and hum. Texts and translations are included, along with Mark Stenroos' enlightening interview with Robert Shaw.


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