Listen & tracks
15 works · 35:00
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1 While shepherds watched 1:29
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2 Unto us is born a son 2:05
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3 Sussex carol 1:47
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4 We three kings 2:37
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5 Hark! The herald angels sing 2:38
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6 Sing aloud on this day 2:10
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7 It came upon the midnight clear 2:47
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8 Es ist ein’ Ros’ entsprungen 2:26
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9 Once in royal David’s city 1:43
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10 The first nowell 2:38
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11 The Coventry carol 3:07
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12 Silent night 2:16
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13 O come all ye faithful 2:10
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14 Angels from the realms of glory 2:52
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15 God rest you merry, gentlemen 2:15
This out-of-the-ordinary programme is scored for tubular bells, glockenspiel, brass and organ. Christopher Willcock arranged every carol for the recording and conducts. Douglas Lawrence plays the organ of St Patrick’s Cathedral; Dal Barbare the tubular bells and glockenspiel; the Festival Brass Ensemble supplies the brass. The glockenspiel and organ tracks were recorded at Ormond College Chapel.
Reviews
The quality of the sound on the disc is high. The recording is particularly successful in catching the full flavour of the organ in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne as played by Douglas Lawrence. … Once in Royal David’s City is provided with a running counterpoint to break up the steady chug from chord to chord.
Artists
Christopher Willcock
conductor
Christopher Willcock (born 1947) is an Australian Jesuit priest and composer of liturgical and concert music. His sacred writing ranges from congregational psalm settings to large-scale choral cycles.
Dal Barbare
tubular bells, glockenspiel
A versatile percussionist. He was a member of the Australian Percussion Ensemble, and performed frequently with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Festival Brass Ensemble
brass
The Festival Brass Ensemble is a group of three trumpet players and two trombonists, active in Melbourne during the seventies.
Douglas Lawrence
organ
Melbourne organist Douglas Lawrence is Director of Music at The Scots' Church and Teacher of the Organ at the University of Melbourne. He founded the Choir of Ormond College and directed it from 1982 to 2006.
Performers
- Christopher Willcock · conductor
- Dal Barbare · tubular bells, glockenspiel
- Festival Brass Ensemble · brass
- Douglas Lawrence · organ
More to explore
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The music on this CD is a historical Christmas “pick of the pops”, from the late 1400s to the end of the Baroque period. Directed by Douglas Lawrence, the Australian Chamber Choir offers a programme recorded live in concert during their 2019 European tour. The 17 tracks are drawn from lesser-known seasonal works, championing a sublime repertoire that is all too often neglected.
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