Choir of Clifton Cathedral
Christopher Walker (conductor)
John Gibbons (organ)

This collection of Christmas carols and organ music mixes together both the well-known and the relatively unknown. It ranges across the centuries – from the ancient Coventry Carol through to Poulenc’s radiantly beautiful setting of O Magnum Mysterium. The inclusion of Jacob Handl’s Resonet In Laudibus, Sweelinck’s Hodie Christus Natus Est and In Dulci Jubilo reflects the choir’s consistent championship of music from the Renaissance era as well as more modern influences.
The remainder of the programme is made up of largely well-known carols, though occasionally in an arrangement that throws unexpected new light on to these favourites. Spread amongst the choir items are four Chorale Preludes by J.S.Bach. Two from the Schübler collection and two from the Orgelbuchlein – a large collection of Chorale Preludes for every season of the year. The two chorale preludes from the Schübler collection are not Christmas pieces but instead call people to prepare for the birth of Christ. They are both arrangements by Bach of movements from two of his Cantatas. The final piece is a Noël by Daquin, a Parisian who wrote a collection of twelve Noëls based on ancient country dances.