Joy to the World
Christmas at the Sydney Town Hall, presented annually by the City of Sydney, began in 1978 when Robert Ampt became the fourth Sydney City Organist. The event has since grown into one of the city’s major Christmas celebrations.
Christopher Wrench organ
The Brisbane Chorale choir
Emily Cox conductor
Canticum Chamber Choir choir
Brisbane Festival Brass ensemble
Christmas at the Sydney Town Hall gathers a massed choir, children’s choir, vocal and instrumental soloists, brass and percussion, and the legendary William Hill and Son pipe organ, played by Robert Ampt, who also conceives and plans each year’s programme. Poems and short narratives alternate with music, framed by pageantry, special lighting and the grandeur of the hall itself.
The music, much of it driven by the great organ, is why the hall fills year after year. The capacity audience joins the thrilling carol arrangements and listens closely to the choral and solo works. Much of this repertoire was composed or arranged by Ampt. This recording gathers, for the first time, a selection of his Christmas music, most of it first heard in the Sydney Town Hall.
Reviews
This CD is something of a revelation. Recorded in the magnificent acoustics of St John's Cathedral, with a superb organ, the arrangements by Robert Ampt are truly wonderful and a joy to listen to. … there are many moments of excitement, exquisite beauty and sheer joy.
Perhaps the most striking characteristic of each choir is the clarity of the diction: you can hear every word. … Anyone looking for interesting, imaginative and well-crafted new arrangements and harmonizations as a change from the usual 'Carols for Choirs' versions, need look no further.
Artists
Robert Ampt
Robert Ampt is the Sydney City Organist and Organist/Choirmaster of Sydney's German Lutheran Church. An active recitalist, teacher and composer for the organ, he has written children's introductions to the instrument and an extensive history of the Sydney Town Hall organ.
The Brisbane Chorale
The Brisbane Chorale is a symphonic choir of over 100 voices with a reputation for excellence in choral performance. Its repertoire is broad and extensive; in recent years this has included the great oratorios – Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and St Paul and Handel’s Messiah – and compelling performances of 20th century works: Orff’s Catulli Carmina and Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony (celebrating the Queensland Conservatorium’s 50th anniversary), and Carmina Burana and Kancheli’s Styx with The Queensland Orchestra.
Emily Cox
Emily Cox AM is a leading Australian choral conductor and music director. She directs Canticum Chamber Choir and Brisbane Chorale, and lectures in choral studies at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.
Canticum Chamber Choir
Canticum Chamber Choir is an independent semi-professional choir based in Brisbane. Formed in 1995 with Emily Cox as its founding Music Director, its members are skilled amateur musicians, some with formal musical training and others professionals in other fields.
Tracks
- Joy to the World Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 2:48
- Once in Royal David's City Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 4:25
- Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 2:52
- God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 4:18
- All Poor Men and Humble Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 2:40
- Sing with Joy, O Earth and Sky Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 2:35
- Beside Thy Manger Here I Stand Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 4:15
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 3:00
- Mary the Virgin Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 4:45
- Lord, Now Lettest Thou Thy Servant Depart in Peace Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 2:28
- Manyfold Amen Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 2:15
- A Babe is Born in Bethlehem Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 1:53
- Coventry Carol Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 3:31
- Angels from the Realms of Glory Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 3:53
- Silent Night Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 4:05
- Christmas Night Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 3:45
- While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 2:53
- Kookaburra Sits in the Christmas Tree Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 1:06
- Christmas Day Robert Ampt Arr: Robert Ampt 2:23
Performers
- Amy Johansen
- Christopher Wrench
- The Brisbane Chorale
- Emily Cox
- Canticum Chamber Choir
- Brisbane Festival Brass
Where to listen
Joy to the World is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Joy to the World is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3359
- List price
- $15.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 59 minutes 50 seconds
- Venue
- St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane
- Release date
- Dec 2012
- Musical work
copyright - © 2012 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 2012 Move Records
- Category
- Christmas
- Genres
- Christmas, Choral & Sacred
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574335927
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