John Mason Neale
John Mason Neale's hymn translations and carols remain staples of English-speaking worship and Christmas repertoire, from Good King Wenceslas to O come, O come, Emmanuel and other medieval texts he brought into common use.
An English Anglican priest and scholar, he translated a wide range of Western and Eastern Christian hymnody from Latin and Greek, giving congregations access to texts that had long sat outside ordinary English use. Original hymns sit beside those versions in the seasonal cycle, and his Christmas pieces still turn up in carol programmes and cathedral acoustics. On these discs his words appear among traditional carols and hymns that trace Advent through Easter and All Saints, carried by choir, brass and the familiar shapes of congregational song.
Compositions by John Mason Neale appear on
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
The Choir of Ormond College presents a wonderfully varied selection of Christmas carols, 28 joyous tracks in all. Directed by Douglas Lawrence
Hymns For All Seasons
16 more hymns from Cantus Choro, sung in the grand acoustic of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. The hymns start with Advent and trace the great events of the Christian year. With Norman Kaye and the Melbourne Brass Ensemble.
Ding Dong Merrily on High
A baker's dozen of well-loved traditional Christmas carols featuring children's and men's voices. Recorded in the magnificent acoustics of St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne.
Move Two Mix: Music for the Contemporary Church
Move Two Mix is a collection of religious songs with music composed by Jim Minchin. Originally released in the late 1960s this pioneering recording is now available again. 'I moved for the spirit of it and I mixed the two, old words and new settings, jazz/folk and traditional music,' says Jim Minchin.