CMQ September 2002

CHRISTMAS ACROSS THE CENTURIES

St Albans Chamber Choir/Roger Judd (organ)/David Hansell (director) Lammas, LAMM 128D

This is an important recording that shows an approach to the carol repertoire that may become increasingly common. It is ten years since the appearance of the New Oxford Book of Carols, which conveniently put into a single volume original and contemporary versions of a major part of the carol repertoire. On this CD, David Hansell directs idiomatic performances of different versions of the same carol, so that, for example, the thirteenth-century setting of Angelus ad virginem can be compared with David Willcocks's approach in 1978, the plainchant Hodie Christus natus est with Poulenc's 1951 setting, and the sixteenth-century setting of The Coventry Carol with that of Kenneth Leighton in 1956. The later versions are not always twentieth-century: Ne timeas Maria is sung in plainchant and in Victoria's setting, and Vom Himmel hoch is sung in settings a single century apart by Michael Praetorius and J S Bach.

The stimulus for the recording was a performance that the choir gave in 1999 of Mathias's 1970 Ave Rex carol sequence, and the discovery that medieval melodies survived for the four pieces: Ave rex angelorum, Alleluia: A new work, There is no rose, and Sir Christèmas (in the form of Nowell: Dieus wous garde). The 45 voices of the St Albans Chamber Choir give a thrilling performance of the Mathias (with organist Roger Judd in sparkling form), followed by David Willcocks's setting from the same year of Resonemus laudibus, which form the climax of the sequence of carols on this CD. Buy it, even if it is the only Christmas CD you buy this year!

Judith Markwith

ORGANISTS' REVIEW November 2002

LAMMAS RECORDS, the company based in St Albans, has issued St Albans Nowell, recorded by the Cathedral choir [all-male 17 4 5 6] on home ground. As well, the company celebrate Christmas Across The Centuries with St Albans Chamber Choir [adult mixed-voice 19 13 5 8], recorded at Aldenham School Chapel in Elstree. Every participant is named in both recordings; but no attempt is made to give any details whatever of the organs. Organ contributions are in the safe and able hands of Simon Johnson and Roger Judd respectively.

Mercifully, we are not Ruttered to death in all the carol arrangements and twentieth-century compositions which comprise about half of the 45 items to be found on the two CDs. Eyebrows may be raised at the inclusion of Silent Night in the Cathedral. Never fear: it has been elegantly Willcocksed by Barry Rose. By far the most imaginative choice made by Andrew Lucas is the inclusion of a wonderfully atmospheric treatment of Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen by the contemporary Swedish composer Jan Sandström. But what persuaded him to accompany a first-rate treble soloist at the piano in the building's resonant acoustic? This is an unfortunate misjudgement in a release which will assuredly and deservedly be very popular.

A careful study of the notes provided by David Hansell will give an insight into the non-too-obvious rationale which underpins his eclectic choices, performed by the valiant St Albans Chamber Choir. This recording grew from a performance of Mathias' Ave Rex in 1999. Certainly the choir members have the confidence and energy to give a memorably committed performance of the Mathias in particular. Signs of strain are apparent elsewhere in the demanding programme. Greatly to be admired generally is the strength of purpose. Eyes are always on the ball. Interest never flags.

CATHEDRAL MUSIC October 2002

CHRISTMAS ACROSS THE CENTURIES

St Albans Chamber Choir. Director: David Hansell. Organ: Roger Judd. LAMM 128 D

There are too many Christmas CDs to review each in full or even give details of what repertoire is being sung in the ribbon above. All are worthy contenders for you to purchase. However, a comment on each is appropriate.

St Albans Chamber Choir is more eclectic in its choice of music. Although not a cathedral choir it contains music not often heard from the 13th century to the 20th. Music by da Victoria, Praetorius Smert and Sweelinck rub shoulders with Poulenc, Richard Rodney Bennett and Mathias's Carol Sequence: Ave rex. This one is worth exploring for repertoire.

GRAMOPHONE December 2002

The St Albans Chamber Choir, conducted by David Hansell, offers Christmas Across the Centuries ( LAMM128D). The central work is Mathias's carol sequence Ave Rex, which is preceded by treatments of the original medieval melodies as chosen by Mathias. The texts are reclothed in 'modern' fashion by Messrs Leighton, Poulenc, Willcocks and Richard Rodney Bennett. A distinctive approach, performed sonorously and with relish by the Choir and organist Roger Judd.

Malcolm Riley

CROSS RHYTHMS

Christmas Across The Centuries

Lammas LAMM128 CD

This fascinating collection grew out of a performance of Mathias' Ave Rex (1970) that is based on several medieval melodies. The choir's repertoire has been extended back in time to the roots of Mathias' sequence so we have plainchant, Renaissance and Baroque through to the 20th century (including Poulenc and, of course, Willcocks). It is amazing that so many marvellous hymns have been based on just a few chapters of the New Testament but then, of course, the whole concept of the incarnation is amazing. If your knowledge of Christmas hymns goes back only as far as the Wesleys this is a good place to start exploring further.

Steven Whitehead