ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT t There Is No Rose [2.47] y That Yongë Child [1.58] Belinda Morley alto 1 Away in a Manger W.J. Kirkpatrick, arr. [3.05] u Balulalow [1.30] 2 In Dulci Jubilo arr. Robert Pearsall [3.14] Andrea Pringle soprano 3 O Come All Ye Faithfull John Francis Wade [5.26] i As Dew In Aprille [1.04] descant o This Little Babe [1.33] 4 Hope Finds a Way * Jonathan Roberts [3.50] p Interlude [4.22] 5 Stille Nacht Franz Gruber [3.36] a In Freezing Winter Night [4.32] 6 Sussex Carol arr. David Willcocks [1.46] Anna Bolton soprano 7 Mistletoe * Jonathan Roberts [4.03] Belinda Morley alto s 8 Once in Royal David’s City Henry John Gauntlett [4.30] Spring Carol [1.10] Elizabeth Edwards soprano James O’Donnell descant Kzinia Reynolds soprano 9 O Magnum Mysterium Morten Lauridsen [6.41] d Adam Lay I-Bounden [1.12] 0 God Rest You Merry Gentlemen Traditional [3.27] f [1.58] David Willcocks descant Recession q Ding Dong Merrily On High arr. Charles Wood [1.50] * World Premiere Recordings w Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin, arr. Peter Gritton [2.55] Total timings: [69.53]

A Ceremony of Carols, Op.28 Benjamin Britten e Procession [1.54] ARMONICO CONSORT CHRISTOPHER MONKS MUSICAL DIRECTOR r Wolcum Yole [1.29] www.signumrecords.com ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT The tune of In dulci Jubilo (In sweet rejoicing) voices with harp. The second carol is appropriately The arrangement by Sir David Wilcocks heard on first appears in the Codex 1305, a manuscript entitled Mistletoe. this recording is especially fine. The word ‘carol’ or rather ‘carole’ is of dating from about 1400 preserved in Leipzig medieval origin from French and Anglo-Norman University, but may date from an earlier time. Silent Night is originally from Austria (Stille Once in Royal David’s City began life as a poem tradition and usually meant a dance-song Using a macaronic text (a blend of Latin and nacht, heilige Nacht), composed by Franz by Cecil Frances Alexander (also responsible or circle dance accompanied by singing. In German) it was printed widely in collections Gruber in 1818 and possibly the most famous for All Things Bright and Beautiful) The carol French, the equivalent word is Noel and in from the 1530s onwards. Robert Pearsall’s carol of all, having been translated into over was first published in 1848 in Miss Cecil German, Weihnachtslied, both of which mean lovely arrangement of 1837 is the version 140 languages. It was even awarded the Humphreys’ hymnbook Hymns for Little a song for Christmas. It became closely most often used today. curious title of Intangible Cultural Heritage by Children and a year later, the organist Henry associated with the Christmas season from UNESCO in 2011. In this anniversary year of John Gauntlett set it to music. Since 1919, about 1500 onwards and the traditional carol O Come All Ye Faithful is a cornerstone of the the centenary of the Great War, it is worth the Festival of on developed, irrespective of changing musical 18th century carol tradition and was originally remembering that Silent Night was sung Christmas Eve at Kings College, Cambridge, styles, over the next 400 years. The present sung in Latin as Adeste Fidelis. John Francis simultaneously in French, English and German has used this famous carol as its Processional. collection groups some of the most famous Wade (1711-1786) is the composer, although by troops, during the famous Christmas truce carols from the 18th and 19th centuries, some sources attribute the melody to King of 1914, as it was the one carol that soldiers O Magnum Mysterium is a responsorial chant together with more recent examples, and John IV of Portugal from the mid 16th century. on both sides of the conflict actually knew. from the medieval Choral Matins for Christmas. concludes with one of the great 20th century The English words are by a Roman Catholic A large number of composers have reworked choral masterworks - Benjamin Britten’s A Priest, Frederick Oakley and date from 1841, The Sussex Carol does not appear to have the chant into a contemporary setting and Ceremony of Carols. while the harmonisation used today comes from its origins in Sussex. Its words were first there are famous examples by Byrd, Victoria, the English Hymnal of 1906. published by the Rev Luke Wadding, a 17th- Gabrieli, Palestrina, Poulenc and many others. Away in a Manger is one of the most famous of century Irish bishop, in a work called Small The work recorded here is by the modern all and, like many carols, is of German origin. Two very recent carols by the young English Garland of Pious and Godly Songs (1684). Its American composer Morten Lauridsen (born At one time it was even spuriously attributed composer Jonathan Roberts (born 1983) were later association with Sussex appears to be 1943) and dates from 1994, although it respects to Martin Luther and was called ‘Luther’s written expressly for the Armonico Consort, as through Ralph Vaughan Williams, who heard its ancient stylistic antecedents. Cradle Song’. However its melody is definitely part of their regular educational workshops, with it being sung by a Harriet Verrall of Monk’s Gate, from the mid 19th century and it first appeared which he has been much involved. Hope Finds near Horsham, Sussex (hence “Sussex Carol”). God Rest You Merry Gentlemen is a traditional in print as late as 1884. a Way is to a deeply felt text by Jonathan’s The tune to which it is generally sung today English carol first published in its present father, the Rev Vaughan Roberts, and like is the one Vaughan Williams took down form in 1833 by William B. Sandys, though Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, is scored for treble from Mrs. Verrall and then published in 1919. its author is unknown. The earliest known

- 4 - - 5 - publication of the carol appears on a rare altered and it has recently become a favourite berthed at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where Britten vocal effects are clearly designed to reflect the 1760 broadsheet, where it is described as a item for choirs, for concert use. The present came across a book of medieval poems and considerable acoustic possibilities afforded “new ”, suggesting its origin is a capella arrangement by composer Peter immediately began to set them, but without by a traditional church space, rather than a actually from the mid-18th century. It became Gritton, director of music at St Paul’s School, any fixed plan of the work as we know it today. concert hall. The remarkable variety of moods famous after it was referred to in Dickens’ dates from 1989. and the exciting contrast in his frenetic A Christmas Carol in 1843, when: “...at the The unusual addition of the harp may have been rhythms, together with the complex melodic first sound of ‘God bless you, merry gentlemen! A Ceremony of Carols, Opus 28 - because Britten had intended to write a harp interplay between the individual lines makes May nothing you dismay!’, Scrooge seized the Benjamin Britten concerto at this time and had been studying A Ceremony of Carols one of the most difficult ruler with such energy of action that the singer Britten’s first published choral work was A the instrument. The harp solo which comes and rewarding 20th century choral works fled in terror...... ” Boy was Born in 1933 and it heralded the about half way through, is based on the same to perform. arrival of a major figure in the setting of opening plain chant, along with a few other Ding Dong Merrily on High is another carol from words to music, who would eventually become motifs from the first carol, Wolcum Yole, to The first (incomplete) performance took place the 16th century that has become synonymous a worthy successor to Henry Purcell. It is further unify the composition. In addition (not under Britten’s direction) on December with the festive season. The tune first appeared interesting that his next major choral work the later movements This Little Babe and Deo 5, 1942 at Norwich Castle by the Fleet Street in print in a book entitled Orchésographie, would also focus on the story of the Nativity, Gracias have the choir declaiming harp-like Choir. In 1943, Britten added That yonge child circa 1550, although the words by George clearly a theme which resonated with Britten. effects, by employing imaginative and complex and the solo harp interlude. It is interesting to Ratcliffe Woodward date from the 20th century. canonical devices. note that originally, Britten specified women’s Charles Wood harmonised the famous tune A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28, is scored for voices. Only somewhat later did he become when it was first published with Woodward’s text three-part treble or soprano chorus, solo voices, The collection only became a cycle when Britten convinced that it would be better suited to in The Cambridge Carol Book in 1924. and harp and consists of eleven movements, added a framing processional and recessional boys, perhaps to underline the innocence with texts drawn from medieval and 16th chant, sung in unison, based on the Gregorian and freshness of the story and its special Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is not century poems. Most of it was written in antiphon Hodie Christus natus est (Today, importance for children, the world over. He a Christmas Carol as such, having started 1942, about the same time as the Hymn to St Christ is born). Incidentally, this framing also seems to have been influenced in this by life in a famous Hollywood musical of the mid Cecilia (with which the work shares certain device is reminiscent of Holst’s Hymn of several fine rehearsal-performances in the run 1940s - Meet Me in St Louis - in which it was stylistic similarities) and it was actually Jesus written some 20 years earlier, a work up to its London premiere at Christmas 1943. sung by Judy Garland. It was written by Hugh composed while Britten was at sea, returning undoubtedly known to Britten. Martin and Ralph Blane and has been recorded from the United States to England after a As he wrote to his friend Margaret Mayer: by almost every major popular singer since. fairly unhappy period of self-imposed exile in Throughout, Britten is most particular in his “(the carols) have had a series of thrilling Over the years, its lyrics have been frequently California. During the long voyage, the ship focus on choral resonance and many of his shows by a choir of little Welsh boys....!” This

- 6 - - 7 - was the boys’ choir of Morriston School, TEXTS O Jesu parvule, 3 O Come All Ye Faithfull Swansea and the work indeed finally received I yearn for thee alway! its first complete performance by them, on 1 Away in a Manger Hear me, I beseech Thee, O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! December 4 that year, at the Wigmore Hall, O puer optime; O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; with Britten conducting. A few days later, Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, My praying let it reach Thee, Come and behold him, born the King of Angels: in a letter to Mary Behrend, one of his wealthy The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; O princeps gloriae. O come, let us adore Him, patrons (she commissioned the String Quartet The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, Trahe me post te. Christ the Lord. No 2 in 1945) Britten wrote “I think the The little Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay. little boys were enchanting - the occasional O patris caritas! God of God, light of light, roughness was easily overweighed by their The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes. O Nati lenitas! Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb; freshness and naiveté....”. In fact, this happy But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. Deeply were we stained. Very God, begotten, not created: experience was to influence Britten towards I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky. Per nostra crimina: O come, let us adore Him, writing for boys’ voices on numerous subsequent And stay by my bedside until morning is nigh. But Thou has for us gained, Christ the Lord. occasions. Nowadays of course, it has been Coelorum gaudia, sung by a wide variety of different vocal Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, O that we were there! See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle, ensembles and A Ceremony of Carols, one of Close by me forever, and love me, I pray! Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze Britten’s most successful and almost instantly Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care Ubi sunt gaudia, We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps, popular compositions at the time, has taken And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there If that they be not there? O come, let us adore Him, its rightful place as a masterwork, whose There are angels singing Christ the Lord. Text: Anonymous popularity has never diminished. Nova cantica, There the bells are ringing Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, 2 In Dulci Jubilo © 2014, Brendan G Carroll In Regis curia. Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above! O that we were there, Glory to God, glory in the highest: In dulci jubilo O come, let us adore Him, Let us our homage shew: Text: Anonymous, translation by Robert Lucas de Pearsall Christ the Lord. Our heart’s joy reclineth (1795-1856) In praesepio; Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; And like a bright star shineth Jesus, to thee be glory given! Matris in gremio, Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! Alpha es et O!

- 8 - - 9 - O come, let us adore Him, 5 Stille Nacht Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia; All out of darkness we have light, Christ the Lord. Christ the Saviour is born. Which made the angels sing this night: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, “Glory to God and peace to men, Text: Anonymous, translation by Frederick Oakley Alles schläft, einsam wacht Silent night, holy night, Now and for evermore, Amen!” Nur das traute hochheilige Paar, Son of God, love’s pure light. 4 Hope Finds a Way Text: Anonymous Holder Knab’ im lockigen Haar. Radiant beams from thy holy face, Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh’, With the dawn of redeeming grace; Counting the stars on a silent night 7 Mistletoe Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Touch the joy that sets hearts alight Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht. Christ was born so we could see Text: Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) Sitting under the mistletoe Hirten erst kundgemacht That God’s love is setting us free. (Pale-green, fairy mistletoe), Durch der Engel Hallelujah, 6 Sussex Carol One last candle burning low, Tönt es laut von Fern und Nah: Hope finds a way of entering our world All the sleepy dancers gone, Christ der Retter ist da. When all is lost we build up our walls On Christmas night all Christians sing Just one candle burning on, But there’s no frontier God’s love can’t cross. To hear the news the angels bring. Shadows lurking everywhere: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht! News of great joy, news of great mirth, Some one came, and kissed me there. Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht Backs are drawn to keep out the cold News of our merciful King’s birth. Lieb’ aus deinem göttlichen Mund, Hands are open to offer up gold Tired I was; my head would go Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’, Christ was born where animals sleep Then why should men on earth be so sad, Nodding under the mistletoe Christ in deiner Geburt. But God’s love is setting us free. Since our Redeemer made us glad, (Pale-green, fairy mistletoe), When from our sin he set us free, No footsteps came, no voice, but only, Silent night, holy night, Hope finds a way ... All for to gain our liberty? Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely, All is calm, all is bright. Stooped in the still and shadowy air Round yon virgin mother and child, See the pain on the face with no hope When sin departs before His grace, Lips unseen - and kissed me there. Holy infant so tender and mild; Heal the hate in the heart with no love Then life and health come in its place. Sleep in heavenly peace. Text: Walter de la Mere (1873-1956) Christ was born a refugee Angels and men with joy may sing But God’s love is setting us free. All for to see the new-born King. Silent night, holy night, Hope finds a way ... Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar, Text: Vaughan Roberts

- 10 - - 11 - 8 Once in Royal David’s City Not in that poor lowly stable, 0 God Rest You Merry Gentlemen Where oxen feed on hay; With the oxen standing by, His mother Mary kneeling, Once in royal Davids city, We shall see Him; but in heaven, God rest you merry, gentlemen, Unto the Lord did pray: Stood a lowly cattle shed, Set at God’s right hand on high; Let nothing you dismay, O tidings ... Where a mother laid her Baby, Where like stars His children crowned, For Jesus Christ our Saviour In a manger for His bed: All in white shall wait around. Was born upon this day, Now to the Lord sing praises, Mary was that mother mild, To save us all from Satan’s power All you within this place, Text: Cecil Frances Alexander (1818 - 1895) Jesus Christ, her little Child. When we were gone astray: And with true love and brotherhood O tidings of comfort and joy. Each other now embrace; 9 O Magnum Mysterium He came down to earth from heaven, This holy tide of Christmas Who is God and Lord of all, From God our heavenly Father All other doth deface: O magnum mysterium And His shelter was a stable, A blessed angel came, O tidings ... et admirabile sacramentum, And His cradle was a stall: And unto certain shepherds ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, Text: Anonymous With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Brought tidings of the same, jacentum in præsepio. Lived on earth our Saviour holy. How that in Bethlehem was born Beata Virgo, cujus viscera q Ding Dong Merrily On High The Son of God by name: meruerunt portare And through all His wondrous childhood O tidings ... Dominum Christum. Alleluia! Ding Dong! merrily on high He would honor and obey, In heav’n the bells are ringing Love and watch the lowly maiden, The shepherds at those tidings O great mystery Ding, dong! verily the sky In whose gentle arms He lay: Rejoiced much in mind, and wondrous sacrament, Is riv’n with angel singing Christian children all must be And left their flocks a-feeding that animals should see the new-born Lord Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis Mild, obedient, good as He. In tempest, storm and wind, lying in their manger. And went to Bethlehem straightway, Blessed is the Virgin whose womb E’en so here below, below For He is our childhood’s pattern; This blessed Babe to find: was worthy to bear Let steeple bells be swungen Day by day, like us, He grew; O tidings ... the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia! And i-o, i-o, i-o He was little, weak, and helpless, By priest and people be sungen Tears and smiles, like us He knew; Text: Responsory for Matins on Christmas Day But when to Bethlehem they came, Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis And He feeleth for our sadness, Whereat this Infant lay, And He shareth in our gladness. They found Him in a manger,

- 12 - - 13 - Pray ye dutifully prime A Ceremony of Carols, Op.28 Wolcum be ye good Newe Yere, The aungels sungen the shepherds to: Your matin chime, ye ringers e Procession Wolcum, Twelfthe Day both in fere, Gloria in excelsis! May ye beautifully rime Wolcum seintes lefe and dere, Gaudeamus. Your evetime song, ye singers Hodie Christus natus est: Wolcum Yole! Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis. Hodie Salvator apparuit: Leave we all this werdly mirth, Hodie in terra canunt angeli, Candelmesse, Quene of bliss, And follow we this joyful birth. Text: George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934) Laetantur archangeli. Wolcum bothe to more and lesse. Transeamus Hodie exsultant justi dicentes: w Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Text: Anonymous, C.14th century Gloria in excelsis Deo. Alleluia! Wolcum be ye that are here,

Wolcum Yole! Have yourself a merry little Christmas, y That Yongë Child Today Christ is born: Wolcum alle and make good cheer Let your heart be light Today the Saviour has appeared: Wolcum alle another yere, Next year all our troubles will be out of sight That yongë child when it gan weep Today the angels sing on earth, Wolcum Yole! With song she lullèd him asleep: The archangels rejoice. Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Text: Anonymous, C.14th century That was so sweet a melody Today the righteous exult, saying: Make the Yule-tide gay, It passèd alle minstrelsy. Glory to God on high! Alleluia! From now on, our troubles will be miles away. t There Is No Rose The nightingalë sang also: r Wolcum Yole Once again as in olden days, There is no rose of such vertu Her song is hoarse and nought thereto:

Happy golden days of yore. As is the rose that bare Jesu. Whoso attendeth to her song Wolcum be thou hevenè king, Faithful friends who are dear to us Alleluia. And leaveth the first then doth he wrong. Wolcum Yole! Will be near to us once more. Wolcum, born in one morning, Text: Anonymous, C.14th century For in this rose conteinèd was Wolcum for whom we sall sing! Someday soon, we all will be together, if the Heaven and earth in litel space, fates allow Res miranda. Wolcum be ye, Stevene and Jon, Until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow Wolcum, Innocentes every one, So have yourself a merry little Christmas now By that rose we may well see Wolcum, Thomas marter one, There be one God in persons three, Text: Ralph Blane (1914-1995) Wolcum Yole! Pares forma.

- 14 - - 15 - u Balulalow He came also stille Of shepherds he his muster makes; The persons in that poor attire There his moder lay, And thus, as sure his foe to wound, His royal liveries wear; O my deare hert, young Jesu sweit, As dew in Aprille The angels’ trumps alarum sound. The Prince himself is come from heav’n; Prepare thy creddil in my spreit, That falleth on the spray. This pomp is prizèd there. And I sall rock thee to my hert, My soul, with Christ join thou in fight, And never mair from thee depart. Moder and mayden was never none but she: Stick to the tents that he hath pight. With joy approach, O Christian wight, Well may such a lady Goddes moder be. Within his crib is surest ward, Do homage to thy King, But I sall praise thee evermoir This little Babe will be thy guard. And highly praise his humble pomp, Text: Anonymous, C.14th century With sanges sweit unto thy gloir; If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy, Wich he from Heav’n doth bring. The knees of my hert sall I bow, o Then flit not from this heavenly Boy. And sing that richt Balulalow! This Little Babe Text: Robert Southwell (c.1561–1595) Text: Robert Southwell (c.1561–1595) Text: James, John and Robert Wedderburn, c.16th Century This little babe so few days old s Spring Carol Is come to rifle Satan’s fold; a In Freezing Winter Night i As Dew In Aprille All hell doth at his presence quake Pleasure it is to here iwis, the Birdès sing, Though he himself for cold do shake; Behold, a silly tender babe The deer in the dale, the sheep in the vale, the corn I sing of a maiden For in this weak unarmèd wise In freezing winter night, springing. That is makèles: The gates of hell he will surprise. In homely manger trembling lies King of all kings Alas, a piteous sight! God’s purvayance for sustenance. It is for man. To her son she ches. With tears he fights and wins the field, Then we always to him give praise, and thank His naked breast stands for a shield; The inns are full; no man will yield him than. He came also stille His battering shot are babish cries, This little pilgrim bed. Text: William Cornysh (1465-1523) There his moder was, His arrows looks of weeping eyes, But forced he is with silly beasts As dew in Aprille His martial ensigns Cold and Need In crib to shroud his head. That falleth on the grass. And feeble Flesh his warrior’s steed. This stable is a Prince’s court, He came also stille His camp is pitchèd in a stall, This crib his chair of State; To his moder’s bour, His bulwark but a broken wall; The beasts are parcel of his pomp, As dew in Aprille The crib his trench, haystalks his stakes; The wooden dish his plate. That falleth on the flour.

- 16 - - 17 - d Adam Lay I-Bounden f Recession ARMONICO CONSORT

Deo gracias! Deo gracias! Hodie Christus natus est: Soprano Tenor Hodie Salvator apparuit: Eloise Irving George Pooley Adam lay ibounden, Hodie in terra canunt angeli Kate Ashby Matthew Vine bounden in a bond; Laetantur archangeli: Ellie Gregory Four thousand winter Hodie exsultant justi dicentes: Dani May Bass thought he not to long. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Reuben Thomas Alleluia! Alto Francis Brett Deo gracias! Deo gracias! Jonathan Darbourne Today Christ is born: Felicity Buckland Charles Matthews Organist And all was for an appil, Today the Saviour has appeared: an appil that he tok, Today the angels sing on earth, As clerkès finden The archangels rejoice. written in their book. Today the righteous exult, saying: Glory to God on high! Alleluia! Deo Gracias! Deo Gracias!

Ne had the appil takè ben The appil takè ben, Ne haddè never our lady A ben hevenè quene.

Blessèd be the time That appil takè was. Therefore we moun singen, we moun singen,

Deo gracias! Deo gracias!

Text: Anonymous, C.15th century © Peter Marsh @ ashmorevisuals - 18 - - 19 - Sally Pryce Harp The group works with the finest musical talent Over 100,000 children have benefitted from and a tour of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with using authentic period instruments, performing the AC Academy thus far, and the scheme Nicola Benedetti. A Ceremony of Carols up to fifty concerts a year across the country currently reaches 15,000 young people a Sopranos and beyond. They regularly work with the best year. AC Academy works in partnership with Armonico Consort is grateful to many funders Anna Bolton solo musicians in the world, with recent the Royal Albert Hall, in a relationship which for making these ventures possible. Arts Jane Byrne partnerships including Sir Willard White, Nicola saw 1300 young singers perform at the venue Council England, Youth Music and many Elizabeth Edwards Benedetti, Dame Emma Kirkby and Elin Manahan in March 2013. Directly tackling music regional authorities across the UK are just Tammy James Thomas. They have received critical acclaim education cuts, one of AC Academy’s biggest some of the statutory funders who invest in Claire Monks for their performances and recordings, with successes is its ‘choir creation’ scheme. This our work. However, our work would not be Andrea Pringle several five star reviews from The Times and sees teachers trained as music leaders, possible without the generous support of many Ksynia Reynolds The Independent. mentored by the group’s specialist facilitators, charitable trusts, businesses and individuals, Mandy Roberts leaving behind the legacy of a choir in every and we are enormously grateful to all of them. Highlights of Armonico Consort’s past work school. In the next five years, the charity Altos include performing The Magic Flute at The intends to create 200 choirs, which will see up CHRISTOPHER MONKS Kate Broadhurst Barbican, joining forces with Nicola Benedetti to half a million children benefit from access to Belinda Morley for Vivaldi’s Violin Concertos at the Hampton choral singing. A dynamic and innovative conductor and Matthew Reeve Court Palace Festival and Carmina Burana with keyboard player, Christopher Monks is the Mary Turner AC Academy singers at the Royal Shakespeare The group is proud to announce Russell founder and Artistic Director of Armonico Theatre. The group has worked with many Watson, the UK’s number one selling classical Consort. In addition to work for the group, he Armonico Consort is one of the largest and inspirational names over the years, including artist, as the official Ambassador for AC has conducted other ensembles including the most innovative organisations of its kind in Jeremy Irons, Dame Judi Dench, former- Academy. This special partnership was launched Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia the UK, existing to inspire audiences with its Royal correspondent Jenny Bond and Dame with a concert at Symphony Hall Birmingham and European Union Chamber Orchestra. unique programmes. Through concerts such as Evelyn Glennie. on 14 July 2014, where Russell performed ‘Supersize Polyphony’ and ‘Naked Byrd’, and alongside 700 AC Academy singers. Christopher has conducted at many of the operas in new English translations including The proudest achievement of Armonico Consort major concert halls in the UK, including The ‘Too Hot to Handel’, ‘Baroque around the Block’ is the foundation of the AC Academy, an Armonico Consort’s future plans include a Barbican, Wigmore Hall and Cadogan Hall in and ‘Monteverdi’s Flying Circus’, Armonico seeks initiative which seeks to provide free, UK tour of family opera ‘Baroque around the London, the Bridgwater Hall in Manchester, to facilitate access to exceptional and exciting first-class music education opportunities to Block’, performances of Brahms Requiem in St David’s Hall in Cardiff, the Royal music for as broad an audience as possible. children from all backgrounds across the UK. tribute to the centenary of the start of WWI Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

- 20 - - 21 - In addition to this, his work at venues abroad Dream of Gerontius with Armonico Consort and includes those in Tel Aviv, Naples, Paris, Dublin The Philharmonia and Verdi’s Requiem with Sir Dedications and Sardinia. Willard White. Future plans include a tour to Once in Royal David’s City the USA. recorded in grateful and loving memory of Douglas Gordon Bagg. He has worked regularly with many of the major UK festivals including Hampton Court Christopher is also founder of the AC Hope Finds A Way Palace, The Henley Festival, Brighton, Bath, Academy education network, which has recorded in memory of Chris Gallimore, a dear husband, father, teacher and Chelsea, Cambridge, Oxford and Canterbury. delivered free first class musical opportunities friend. His recordings, which have earned him critical to over 100,000 children. acclaim, are played every week on Classic FM Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and BBC Radio 3 in addition to radio stations recorded in memory of Phillip Monks, a wonderful father who gave so much. across the globe. In Dulci Jubilo Prior to his work with Armonico Consort, recording dedicated to Malcolm Welsh. Christopher studied music at the University of Cambridge and then with David Hill at Recorded in St Mark’s Church, Leamington Spa, UK on 14th November 2011 Winchester Cathedral, before collaborating Producers – John Taylor and Christopher Monks with many of the world’s greatest conductors Recording Engineer & Editor – John Taylor as a keyboard player with the CBSO. Cover Image – Shutterstock Design and Artwork - Woven Design www.wovendesign.co.uk

Specialising in the performance of music P 2014 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd from the Renaissance and the Baroque, © 2014 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd

Christopher’s concerts and recordings have Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of Signum Compact Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and earned him several five star reviews in The will render the infringer liable to an action by law. Licences for public performances or broadcasting may be obtained from Phonographic Performance Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, Times and The Independent over the past mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd. two years. He has commissioned many new SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middx UB6 7JD, UK. works, including the epic Prodigal Son by +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected] Girling, premiered with Dame Evelyn Glennie. www.signumrecords.com Other major conducting projects include Elgar’s

- 22 - - 23 - ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics

Naked Byrd Two Let the Bright Seraphim Armonico Consort Elin Manahan Thomas soprano Christopher Monks musical director Crispian Steele-Perkins trumpet SIGCD235 Armonico Consort, Christopher Monks SIGCD289

“...vocal lines can float, suspensions can melt and the listener “... the whole thing seems suffused with light reflected from can relax and marvel at the singers’ superb breath control and Manahan Thomas’ voice, and Steele-Perkins’ effortlessly rock-steady intonation … this disc of unending delight” projected trumpet.” Gramophone BBC Radio 3 CD Review

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- 20 - CTP Template: CD_INL1 COLOURS Compact Disc Back Inlay CYAN MAGENTA Customer SignumClassics YELLOW Catalogue No.SIGCD386 BLACK Job Title: On Christmas Night

SIGNUM

On Christmas Night CLASSICS SIGCD386

1 Away in a Manger Kirkpatrick, arr. Willcocks [3.05]

2 In Dulci Jubilo arr. Pearsall [3.14]

3 O Come All Ye Faithfull John Francis Wade [5.26] NIGHT CHRISTMAS ON 4 Hope Finds a Way * Jonathan Roberts [3.50] 5 Stille Nacht Franz Gruber [3.36] 6 Sussex Carol arr. Willcocks [1.46] 7 Mistletoe * Jonathan Roberts [4.03] 8 Once in Royal David’s City Henry John Gauntlett [4.30] 9 O Magnum Mysterium Morten Lauridsen [6.41] 0 God Rest You Merry Gentlemen Traditional [3.27] q Ding Dong Merrily On High arr. Wood [1.50] w Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Blane, Martin, arr. Gritton [2.55] ARMONICO CONSORT / MONKS / CONSORT ARMONICO

ARMONICO CONSORT / MONKS A Ceremony of Carols, Op.28 Benjamin Britten e Procession [1.54] o This Little Babe [1.33] r Wolcum Yole [1.29] p Interlude [4.22] t There Is No Rose [2.47] a In Freezing Winter Night [4.32] y That Yongë Child [1.58] s Spring Carol [1.10] u Balulalow [1.30] d Adam Lay I-Bounden [1.12] i As Dew In Aprille [1.04] f Recession [1.58] * World Premiere Recordings Total timings: [69.53] ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT ARMONICO CONSORT

CHRISTOPHER MONKS Musical DIRECTOR LC15723

Signum Records Ltd, Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, SIGCD386

CLASSICS Perivale, Middx UB6 7JD, United Kingdom. P 2014 Signum Records DDD SIGCD386 © 2014 Signum Records www.signumrecords.com 24 bit digital recording 6 35212 03862 8 SIGNUM