Reginald Jacques
Reginald Jacques's arrangements of traditional Christmas carols have become fixtures of the choral repertoire. Settings such as Good King Wenceslas, The Holly and the Ivy and Angels from the Realms of Glory still ring out in churches and concert programmes every December.
An English choral and orchestral conductor, he led the Bach Choir for nearly three decades and founded the Jacques String Orchestra, which built a morning series at the early Edinburgh Festival around Baroque core repertoire and also took up contemporary English scores. With David Willcocks he compiled the first Carols for Choirs volume, carrying several of his clear, singable arrangements into everyday choir use. On record those carols sit easily beside other festive standards, whether for mixed choir, children's and men's voices, or even mandolin ensemble.
Compositions by Reginald Jacques appear on
Mandolin Christmas
Christmas songs for mandolin orchestra. Arguably Australia’s most acclaimed mandolinist, Kurt Jensen leads an international programme of sparkling carols, from mediaeval favourites to modern classics.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
The Choir of Ormond College, directed by Douglas Lawrence, presents a varied selection of twenty-eight Christmas carols. Familiar favourites sit beside Bach and Pachelbel organ pieces and twentieth-century settings.
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.