1 I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In Simon Preston 2.05 15 I Sing of a Maiden Arnold Bax 4.19 Soloists: Emilia Morton soprano, Christopher Watson tenor 16 No Small Wonder Paul Edwards 2.42 2 There Is No Rose Simon Preston 2.54 17 There Is No Rose Jonathan Lane 2.39 3 Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day John Gardner 2.31 18 Come Rock His Cradle Richard Knight 4.27 4 Love Came Down at Christmas Richard Lloyd 2.32 Soloist: Stephen Kennedy baritone

5 Rejoice and Be Merry Christopher Robinson 1.55 19 I Sing of a Maiden Alec Redshaw 2.10

6 The Birds Richard Hickox 1.55 20 Balulalow John Gardner 2.37 Soloist: Grace Davidson soprano Soloist: Katie Trethewey soprano

7 Benedicamus Domino Peter Warlock 1.21 21 Mary Walked Through a Wood of Thorn Philip Radcliffe 2.01 Soloists: Grace Davidson soprano, Christopher Watson tenor 8 Adam lay ybounden Peter Warlock 1.20 22 A Gallery Carol John Gardner 2.13 9 I Saw a Fair Maiden Peter Warlock 3.47

10 Balulalow Peter Warlock 2.05 Total Timing 55.35 Soloist: Grace Davidson soprano

11 As Dew in Aprylle Peter Warlock 1.52

12 Adam lay ybounden Philip Ledger 2.01 Soloist: Nicholas Madden tenor

13 On Christmas Day Simon Preston 3.49 Soloist: Joanna Forbes L’Estrange soprano

14 On Christmas Night Philip Ledger 2.16

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2 3 Introduction from Nigel Short Love is always at the heart of the Christmas message the length and breadth of the country by either and it became clear to all of us involved with this providing beautiful music for choirs to sing My love of Christmas music stems from my own recording that all of the composers represented or by devoting themselves in some way to experience as a chorister, singing all the traditional had/have a deep felt love for both their subject choirs singing beautifully. congregational carols, their descants, many new matter and the beautiful, transporting sound of arrangements of well-known tunes and of course a fine choir. After I had come to London to study Singing this collection of Christmas music an ever increasing number of new compositions. in 1983, I started to meet and work for a variety was such a fun and rewarding experience and At a lunch with one of Tenebrae Patrons, Richard of people, some of whose names when uttered in together with my wonderful team of singers Baker (himself a former chorister and choral the company of anyone who has been involved who so positively embraced this project we scholar at King’s College, Cambridge), a discussion with our glorious heritage of Cathedral and would like to thank Richard Baker who so was taking place regarding repertoire for a future Church music were met with an almost reverential kindly supported this recording. Tenebrae recording. Rather rashly I said that having affection. One such was Simon Preston, for whom already done two Christmas recordings, I wasn’t I have an enduring admiration and was fortunate entirely sold on the notion of doing another one, enough to sing for in the choir of Westminster but Richard began asking me if I knew this or that Abbey when I was just 20 years old. His music carol: the list seemed endless. I knew the names making was incredibly exhilarating and perhaps of many of the composers and arrangers he was a little terrifying too, maybe that was part of the Nigel Short mentioning, but some only as choir masters or excitement! In more recent years we have sadly lost organists, not as composers. Eventually we decided John Gardner, Philip Ledger and Richard Hickox. I there was more than enough wonderful repertoire had the pleasure of singing for Richard as a soloist that would provide a musical breath of fresh air on several occasions and was always struck by come Christmas time and also give us a chance his convivial manner, whilst managing to make to herald the extraordinary talents of some of the everyone realise they had to give him everything. most dedicated and less well-known individuals Christopher Robinson was Director of Music at from the world of English choral music in the 20th the other great shining beacon of choral music in century, thus ‘A Very English Christmas’ came to be. Cambridge, St John’s College, and is another whose name will for ever be associated with English choral music at its very best. All the other names on the disc have played their part too in inspiring choirs

4 5 1. I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In Simon Preston And all the angels in Heaven shall sing, The angels sungen the shepherds to: Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass, On Christmas day, on Christmas day, Gloria in excelsis deo: To call my true love to my dance: I saw three ships come sailing in And all the angels in Heaven shall sing, Gaudeamus. Sing O my love ... On Christmas day, on Christmas day, On Christmas day in the morning. I saw three ships come sailing in Leave we all this worldly mirth, Then afterwards baptized I was; On Christmas day in the morning. And all the souls on earth shall sing, And follow we this joyful birth; The Holy Ghost on me did glance, On Christmas day, on Christmas day, Transeamus. My Father’s voice heard from above, And what was in those ships all three? And all the souls on earth shall sing, To call my true love to my dance. On Christmas day, on Christmas day, On Christmas day in the morning. Alleluia, res miranda, Sing O my love ... And what was in those ships all three? Pares forma, gaudeamus, On Christmas day in the morning. Then let us all rejoice amain, Transeamus. Words: Anonymous On Christmas day, on Christmas day, Our Saviour, Christ, and His Lady, Then let us all rejoice amain, Words: Anonymous, c.1420 4. Love Came Down at Christmas Richard Lloyd On Christmas day, on Christmas day, On Christmas day in the morning. Our Saviour, Christ, and His Lady, 3. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day John Gardner Love came down at Christmas, On Christmas day in the morning. Words: Anonymous, c.17th century Love all lovely, Love divine, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: Love was born at Christmas, Pray, whither sailed those ships all three? 2. There Is No Rose Simon Preston I would my true love did so chance Star and angels gave the sign. On Christmas day, on Christmas day, 17. There Is No Rose Jonathan Lane To see the legend of my play, Pray, whither sailed those ships all three? To call my true love to my dance: Worship we the Godhead, On Christmas day in the morning. There is no rose of such virtue Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; Love incarnate, love divine, As is the rose that bare Jesu; This have I done for my true love. Worship we our Jesus, O, they sailed to Bethlehem, Alleluia. But wherewith for sacred sign? On Christmas day, on Christmas day, Then was I born of a virgin pure, O, they sailed to Bethlehem, For in this rose contained was Of her I took fleshly substance; Love shall be our token, On Christmas day in the morning. Heaven and earth in little space; Thus was I knit to man’s nature, Love shall be yours and love be mine, Res miranda. To call my true love to my dance: Love to God and all men, And all the bells on earth shall ring, Sing O my love ... Love for plea and gift and sign. On Christmas day, on Christmas day, By that rose we may well see And all the bells on earth shall ring, That he is God in persons three, In a manger laid and wrapped I was, Words: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) On Christmas day in the morning. Pares forma. So very poor this was my chance,

6 7 5. Rejoice and Be Merry Christopher Robinson And when they were come, A dove settled down upon Nazareth, In hoc festo determino 22. A Gallery Carol John Gardner they their treasures unfold, Tsucroo, Eya, nobis annus est! And unto him offered And tenderly chanted with all his breath, Benedicamus Domino! Rejoice and be merry Myrrh, incense and gold. Tsucroo: Gloria... In songs and in mirth! So blessed for ever ‘To you,’ he cooed, ‘so good and true, O praise our Redeemer; Be Jesus our King, My beauty do I give to you A boy comes forth, All mortals on earth! Who brought us salvation, Tsucroo, Tsucroo, Tsucroo.’ Eya, this is our time, For this is the birthday His praises we’ll sing! From the womb of a virgin. Of Jesus our King, Words: Percy Dearmer (1867-1936) Glory! Praise! Who brought us salvation, Words: Anonymous God is made man and immortal. His praises we’ll sing! 7. Benedicamus Domino Peter Warlock 6. The Birds Richard Hickox Without the seed of a man A heavenly vision Procedenti puero Eya, this is our time, Appeared in the sky; From out of a wood did a cuckoo fly, Eya, nobis annus est! He is born of a virgin. Vast numbers of angels Cuckoo, Virginis ex utero Glory! ... The shepherds did spy, He came to a manger with joyful cry, Gloria! Laudes! Proclaiming the birthday Cuckoo; Deus homo factus est et immortalis. Without the means of a man, Of Jesus our King, He hopped, he curtsied, round he flew, Eya, this is our time, Who brought us salvation, And loud his jubilation grew, Sine viri semine He is born of Mary His praises we’ll sing! Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo. Eya, nobis annus est! Glory! ... Natus est de virgine Likewise a bright star A pigeon flew over to Galilee, Gloria... On this appointed feast, In the sky did appear, Vrercroo, Eya, this is our time, Which led the wise men He strutted, and cooed, and was full of glee, Sine viri copia Let us bless the Lord. From the East to draw near; Vrercroo, Eya, nobis annus est! Glory! ... They found the Messiah, And showed with jewelled wings unfurled, Natus est ex Maria Sweet Jesus our King, His joy that Christ was in the world, Gloria... Words: Latin Mass Who brought us salvation, Vrercroo, Vrercroo, Vrercroo. His praises we’ll sing!

8 9 8. Adam lay ybounden Peter Warlock 9. I Saw a Fair Maiden Peter Warlock 10. As Dew in Aprylle Peter Warlock 11. Balulalow Peter Warlock 12. Adam lay ybounden Philip Ledger 20. Balulalow John Gardner I saw a fair maiden sitten and sing, I syng of a mayden Adam lay ybounden, She lulled a little child, a sweetë lording. That is makeles, O my dear hert, young Jesus sweet, Bounden in a bond; Lullay, mine liking, my dear son, mine sweeting, King of alle kynges Prepare thy creddil in my spreit, Four thousand winter, Lullay, my dear heart, mine own dear darling. To here sone che ches. And I sall rock thee in my hert Thought he not too long. And never mair from thee depert. That same lord is He that made allë thing, He cam al so stylle And all was for an apple, Of allë lordis He is lord, of allë kingës king. Ther his moder was, But I sall praise thee evermore An apple that he took. Lullay, mine liking ... As dew in Aprylle With sangis sweet unto thy glor: As clerkes finden, That fallyt on the gras. The knees of my hert sall I bow, Written in their book. There was mickle melody at that child’ës birth, And sing that richt Balulalow. All that were in Heaven’s bliss they made mickle He cam al so stylle Ne had the apple taken been, mirth. To his moderes bowr Words: Attrib. James, John & Robert Wedderburn, c.1567 The apple taken been, Lullay, mine liking ... As dew in Aprille Ne had never our ladie, That fallyt on the flour. 13. On Christmas Day Simon Preston Abeen heav’ne queen. Angelys bright they sung that night and saiden to that child: He cam al so stylle Make me pure, Lord: Thou art holy; Blessed be the time ‘Blessed be thou and so be she that is both meek Ther his moder lay Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly; That apple taken was, and mild.’ As dew in Aprille Now beginning, and alway: Therefore we moun singen. Lullay, mine liking ... That fallyt on the spray. Now begin, on Christmas day. Deo gratias! Pray we now to that Child, and to His mother dear, Moder and maydyn Moonless darkness stands between. Words: Anonymous, 15th Century Grant them His blessing that now maken cheer, Was never non but che; Past, the Past, no more be seen! Lullay, mine liking ... Wel may swych a lady But the Bethlehem-star may lead me Godes moder be. To the sight of Him Who freed me Words: Anonymous, 15th Century From the self that I have been. Words: Anonymous, Sloane Manuscript, c.1450

10 11 Make me pure, Lord: Thou art holy; All out of darkness we have light Mother and maiden 18. Come Rock His Cradle Richard Knight Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly; Which made the angels sing this night; Was never none but she; Now beginning, and alway: All out of darkness we have light Well may such a lady Come, rock His cradle lowly, Now begin, on Christmas day. Which made the angels sing this night: Godës mother be. The throne of God all-holy; Glory to God and peace to men, Come worship and adore Him, Words: Gerard Manley Hopkins (1884-1889) Now and forevermore. Amen. Words: Anonymous, Sloane Manuscript, c.1450 And kneel we down before Him. Sweet little Jesu, Sweet little Jesu. 14. On Christmas Night Philip Ledger Words: Anonymous 16. No Small Wonder Paul Edwards And sing, for music-number On Christmas night all Christians sing, 15. I Sing of a Maiden Arnold Bax Small wonder the star. Will lull the Babe to slumber: To hear the news the angels bring; 19. I Sing of a Maiden Alec Redshaw small wonder the light, Your strain be sweet and airy, On Christmas night all Christians sing, the angels in chorus, Like that of blessed Mary. To hear the news the angels bring: I sing of a maiden the shepherds in fright; Sweet little Jesu, Sweet little Jesu. News of great joy, news of great mirth, That is makeless; but stable and manger for God - News of our merciful king’s birth. King of all kings no small wonder! Do nothing to annoy Him, To her son she ches. But everything to joy Him; Then why should men on earth be so sad, Small wonder the kings, For sin, by night or morrow, Since our Redeemer made us glad: He came all so still small wonder they bore Would cause Him pain and sorrow. Then why should men on earth be so sad, There his mother was, the gold and the incense, Sweet little Jesu, Sweet little Jesu. Since our Redeemer made us glad: As dew in April the myrrh to adore; When from our sin He set us free, That falleth on the grass. but God gives his life on a cross - So at your hour of dying, All for to gain our liberty. no small wonder! This Babe, in cradle lying, He came all so still For He is King supernal When sin departs before his grace, To his mother’s bower, Small wonder the love, Shall give you rest eternal. Then life and health come in its place; As dew in April small wonder the grace, Sweet little Jesu, Sweet little Jesu. When sin departs before his grace, That falleth on the flower. the power, the glory, Then life and health come in its place; the light of his face; Words: Rev. George Ratcliffe Woodward (1843-1934) Angels and men with joy may sing, He came all so still but all to redeem my poor heart – All for to see the newborn king. There his mother lay, no small wonder! As dew in April That falleth on the spray. Words: Paul Wigmore (1925-2014)

12 13 21. Mary Walked Through a Wood of Thorn TENEBRAE Tenebrae is dedicated to supporting contemporary Philip Radcliffe composers having worked with Judith Bingham, Described as “phenomenal” (The Times) and Alexander Levine, Paul Mealor, Joby Talbot, Hilary Mary walked through a wood of thorn “devastatingly beautiful” (Gramophone Magazine), Tann, John Tavener and Will Todd, in addition to Kyrie eleison. award-winning choir Tenebrae, under the direction upcoming releases with Ola Gjeilo and Alexander Mary walked through a wood of thorn, of Nigel Short, is one of the world’s finest vocal L’Estrange. Furthermore, the choir is renowned for its Which seven long years no leaf had borne; ensembles renowned for its passion and precision. highly-acclaimed interpretations of the choral canon Jesus and Mary. with repertoire ranging from the hauntingly As the first-ever ensemble to be multi-nominated passionate works of Gesualdo and Victoria to the What bare Mary beneath her heart? in the same category for the BBC Music Magazine beautiful choral masterpieces of Poulenc and Tavener. Kyrie eleison. Awards (2012), Tenebrae’s recording of Victoria’s Alongside A Very English Christmas, 2015 also sees A little child without any smart Requiem Mass, 1605 secured the accolade for Tenebrae release a disc of Brahms and Bruckner Mary bare beneath her heart, Best Choral Performance. The choir’s recording motets in benefit of Macmillan Cancer Support. Jesus and Mary. of Fauré’s Requiem with the London Symphony Orchestra was nominated for the Gramophone Tenebrae has performed at some of the world’s most Then roses sprang from out the thorn; Awards (2013), having been described as “the very renowned festivals including the BBC Proms, City Kyrie eleison. best Fauré Requiem on disc”, so too was Mother and of London Festival, Edinburgh International Festival As the Christ child through the wood was born, Child (2003) for Choral Disc of the Year featuring (UK) and Montreux Choral Festival (Switzerland). Roses sprang from out the thorn; sacred music by living British composers. Tenebrae’s In 2015 the choir will perform across the UK in Jesus and Mary. ever-increasing discography has brought about Guildford, Hexham, Lammermuir, London, collaborations with Signum, Decca, Deutsche Newbury, Oxford, Reading, Sherborne, Stour and Words: Anonymous, Old German translated by E. Herborn Grammophon, EMI Classics, LSO Live and Warner Thaxted, as well as engagements throughout Europe Classics, with the choir’s recent recording of Russian and a USA tour in the autumn. Orthodox music being launched on its own label, Bene Arte, receiving glowing reviews and reaching ‘Passion and Precision’ is Tenebrae’s motto, and number 1 on the UK Classical Chart. through its continued dedication to performance of the highest quality, audiences around the world experience the power and intimacy of the human voice.

14 15 NIGEL SHORT

Award-winning conductor Nigel Short has built up an enviable reputation for his recording and live performance work with leading orchestras and ensembles across the world.

A singer of great acclaim, Nigel was a member of the world-renowned vocal ensemble The King’s Singers from 1994–2000. Upon leaving the group, he formed Tenebrae, a virtuosic choir that embraced his dedication to passion and precision. Tenebrae is the first-ever ensemble to be multi-nominated in the same category for the BBC Music Magazine Awards (2012), securing the accolade of Best Choral Performance for the choir’s recording of Victoria’s Awards (2013) having been described as Requiem Mass, 1605. Under his direction, Tenebrae “devastatingly beautiful... the very best Fauré has enjoyed collaborations with orchestras and Requiem on disc”. Since then, he has conducted instrumentalists of various musical genres and the orchestra alongside Tenebrae for a sold-out now enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s performance in St. Paul’s Cathedral as part of the finest choral ensembles. City of London Festival (UK). Other orchestral recordings include Mozart’s Requiem and Ave To date, Nigel has conducted the Aurora Orchestra, Verum Corpus with the Chamber Orchestra of Chamber Orchestra of Europe, English Chamber Europe and two discs of music by Will Todd Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal with the English Chamber Orchestra. Philharmonic Orchestra, Scottish Ensemble and, for Baroque repertoire, The English Concert. He Nigel has conducted recordings for many of has directed the London Symphony Orchestra the world’s major record labels including Decca with Tenebrae in a live recording of Fauré’s Requiem, Records, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI Classics, which was nominated for the Gramophone LSO Live, Signum and Warner Classics.

16 17 Recorded at the Church of St Augustine, Kilburn on 21-22 January 2015 Producer: Nicholas Parker Balance Engineer: Andrew Mellor Assisted by: George Pierson Edited and Mastered: Andrew Mellor

Special thanks to those who have contributed to the creation of this recording: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ALTO BASS Richard Baker Nigel Short Hannah Cooke A Geoff Clapham A Martha McLorinan James Holliday B Design and Artwork: Woven Design SOPRANO Eleanor Minney Greg Skidmore C www.wovendesign.co.uk Grace Davidson Simon Whiteley D Joanna Forbes L’Estrange TENOR Stephen Kennedy Photography: Chris O’Donovan www.chrisodonovan.com Emilia Morton A Benjamin Alden A Richard Savage A Katie Trethewey Nicholas Madden © 2015 Tenebrae Records Ltd. Christopher Watson P 2015 Tenebrae Records Ltd.

James Sherlock, Organ - Performs on tracks 1, 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 A – Performs on all works except for tracks 4, 12, 17, 19, 21 B – Performs on tracks 4, 5, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21 C - Performs on tracks 1, 3, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 D - Performs on tracks 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

18 19 Tenebrae Nigel Short

Russian Treasures Medieval Chant, Tallis Lamentations Bene Arte SIGCD900 (2014) Bene Arte SIGCD901

“Tenebrae is current master of the Russian Sound” “... the performance of Tallis’s Lamentations is Classic FM majestically dark and intense, displaying this group’s famous sensitivity toward musical structure, as well as their exquisite harmonic control” BBC Music Magazine

www.tenebrae-choir.com CTP Template: CD_INL1 COLOURS Compact Disc Back Inlay CYAN MAGENTA Customer: Tenebrae YELLOW Catalogue No.SIGCD902 BLACK Job Title: A Very English Christmas

SIGCD902 A Very English Christmas

1 I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In Simon Preston 2.05 2 There Is No Rose Simon Preston 2.54 3 Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day John Gardner 2.31 4 Love Came Down at Christmas Richard Lloyd 2.32 A VERY ENGLISH CHRISTMAS TENEBRAE / SHERLOCK / SHORT CHRISTMAS TENEBRAE ENGLISH VERY A 5 Rejoice and Be Merry Christopher Robinson 1.55 6 The Birds Richard Hickox 1.55 7 Benedicamus Domino Peter Warlock 1.21 8 Adam lay ybounden Peter Warlock 1.20 9 I Saw a Fair Maiden Peter Warlock 3.47 10 Balulalow Peter Warlock 2.05 11 As Dew in Aprylle Peter Warlock 1.52 12 Adam lay ybounden Philip Ledger 2.01 13 On Christmas Day Simon Preston 3.49 14 On Christmas Night Philip Ledger 2.16 15 I Sing of a Maiden Arnold Bax 4.19 16 No Small Wonder Paul Edwards 2.42 17 There Is No Rose Jonathan Lane 2.39 18 Come Rock His Cradle Richard Knight 4.27 19 I Sing of a Maiden Alec Redshaw 2.10 20 Balulalow John Gardner 2.37 21 Mary Walked Through a Wood of Thorn Philip Radcliffe 2.01 22 A Gallery Carol John Gardner 2.13 A VERY ENGLISH CHRISTMAS TENEBRAE / SHORT / SHERLOCK Total Timing 55.35

© 2015 Tenebrae Records Ltd. P 2015 Tenebrae Records Ltd. SIGCD902 Made in the EU / SIGCD902 www.tenebrae-choir.com 6 35212 09022 0 CTP Template: CD_INL4 COLOURS Compact Disc Inside Inlay (clearcase) CYAN MAGENTA Customer: Tenebrae YELLOW Catalogue No.SIGCD902 BLACK Job Title: English Christmas © 2015 Tenebrae Records Ltd. P 2015 Tenebrae Records Ltd. Made in the EU SIGCD902 www.tenebrae-choir.com