Sumptuous performances, and perfectly judged sound
– BBC Music Magazine
A Very English Christmas
Revel in the yuletide spirit with this wonderful collection of repertoire that provides a musical breath of fresh air at Christmas, heralding the extraordinary talents of some of the most dedicated and less well-known individuals from English choral music.
Sumptuous performances, and perfectly judged sound
– BBC Music Magazine
- Release Date: 16 October 2015
- Record Label: Bene Arte
- Catalogue Number: SIGCD902
- Location of Recording: St Augustine's Church, Kilburn, London
- Total Running Time: 00:55:35
- View/Download Liner Notes
Purchase Options
You have the option to purchase the physical CD for delivery, or download the full recording or individual tracks, in a choice of audio formats.
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Individual Tracks
Add individual tracks to your shopping cart by ticking their boxes in the track listing table below.
| Buy | # | Title | Composer | Duration | Price | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In | Simon Preston | 02:05 | £ | Listen | |
| 2 | There is No Rose | Simon Preston | 02:54 | £ | Listen | |
| 3 | Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day | John Gardner | 02:31 | £ | Listen | |
| 4 | Love Came Down at Christmas | Richard Lloyd | 02:32 | £ | Listen | |
| 5 | Rejoice and Be Merry | Christopher Robinson | 01:55 | £ | Listen | |
| 6 | The Birds | Richard Hickox | 01:55 | £ | Listen | |
| 7 | Benedicamus Domino | Peter Warlock | 01:21 | £ | Listen | |
| 8 | Adam Lay Ybounden | Peter Warlock | 01:20 | £ | Listen | |
| 9 | I Saw a Fair Maiden | Peter Warlock | 03:47 | £ | Listen | |
| 10 | Balulalow | Peter Warlock | 02:05 | £ | Listen | |
| 11 | As Dew in Aprylle | Peter Warlock | 01:52 | £ | Listen | |
| 12 | Adam Lay Ybounden | Philip Ledger | 02:01 | £ | Listen | |
| 13 | On Christmas Day | Simon Preston | 03:49 | £ | Listen | |
| 14 | On Christmas Night | Philip Ledger | 02:16 | £ | Listen | |
| 15 | I Sing of a Maiden | Arnold Bax | 04:19 | £ | Listen | |
| 16 | No Small Wonder | Paul Edwards | 02:43 | £ | Listen | |
| 17 | There is no Rose | Jonathan Lane | 02:39 | £ | Listen | |
| 18 | Come Rock His Cradle | Richard Knight | 04:27 | £ | Listen | |
| 19 | I Sing of a Maiden | Alec Redshaw | 02:10 | £ | Listen | |
| 20 | Balulalow | John Gardner | 02:37 | £ | Listen | |
| 21 | Mary Walked Through a Wood of Thorn | Philip Radcliffe | 02:00 | £ | Listen | |
| 22 | A Gallery Carol | John Gardner | 02:19 | £ | Listen |
It’s an astute amalgam, with the common denominator of Tenebrae’s superb singing.
– The Telegraph – Best Classical CDs for Christmas
Every voice part is constantly alert to the expressive possibilities of the music and crafts it all with care and musicality… [Tenebrae’s] peerless blend and ensemble is made all the more impressive by the variety and individuality of colour in each voice part.
– Sinfini Music
The programme has been shrewdly chosen and though it includes a sprinkling of familiar pieces there is a pleasing amount of music that is less well-known. More pleasing still, all the latter pieces prove to be well worth hearing. It is probably superfluous to say that the performances by Tenebrae are top class – but they are.
The choir’s small size and distinctive timbre lend a totally fresh sound to these lovely carols, something I found utterly beguiling… impeccably blended and beautifully shaped at every turn.
– MusicWeb International
One of the best discs to cross my desk this year, ‘A Very English Christmas’ features the beautiful voices and excellent musicianship of the British choir Tenebrae. The musical selections, by composers including Simon Preston, Richard Hickox, Peter Warlock and Philip Ledger, among others, are all first-rate, and so are the performances.
– St. Louis Post-Dispatch
All the items are beautifully performed in Tenebrae’s trademark style.
– Planet Hugill
… this uplifting album captures all the passion and precision for which the choir is renowned.
– The Lady Magazine