Sing Round the Year
Donald Swann gathers eighteen carols and kindred songs of worship and praise, arguing that a carol need not be confined to Christmas. School choirs, organ and his own piano and voice share the programme.
Boys of Westminster School Choir choir
Girls of Mayfield School Choir choir
Nicholas Jackson organ
Susan MacDonald vocals
Peter Wilson vocals
Helen Denniston vocals
Sylvia Junge conductor
Donald Swann composer
David Marsh composer
Paul Townsend composer
Michael Hoban composer
John Betjeman composer
Eleanor Hull composer
Charles Wesley composer
Clemens non Papa composer
Sydney Carter arranger
Recorded at St Mark’s Church in London’s West End in May 1968, the set mixes Swann’s own settings with songs by Sydney Carter and a handful of traditional and liturgical pieces. Boys of Westminster School and girls of Mayfield School, Putney, join him, with Nicholas Jackson at the organ.
Carter’s ballads sit beside canticles, a spiritual, a hymn and a round, all aimed at young singers and household listening as much as church use.
A simple animation from Carter’s 1972 Australian tour accompanies one of the songs.
The songs on this record represent the sum of my musical wanderings in this uncertain field of the carol. Because of the latitude I have allowed myself, two canticles, a spiritual, a hymn, and a round augment the list, which are, in their various moods of worship and praise, as good as the several songs of Sydney Carter which he himself describes as songs, ballads or carols.
Reviews
…A charming record, one which would be appreciated by young people interested in church activities.
Swann’s carols… are peculiarly Swann-ish, crisp, right on target in their thrust of meaning, and witty to boot. He is aided in many by the excellent children’s voices of the boys of the Westminster School, and the girls of Mayfield School, Putney…
…There is much variety in the actual performances. Swann solos occur, but there are unaccompanied choruses, a girls’ chorus with triangle and piano, boys’ chorus with guitars and double bass, and so on...
…The music is bright and tuneful, yet has more quality and depth than much of to-day’s “modern” church music. The 18 songs are ideal for choirs (including those which whistle), congregations and children, but are specially suitable for apply listening in your own home...
Artists
Donald Swann
Donald Ibrahím Swann (30 September 1923 – 23 March 1994) was a British composer, musician and entertainer. He is best known to the general public for his partnership of writing and performing comic songs with Michael Flanders (a.k.a. Flanders and Swann).
Sydney Carter
Sydney Carter (1915–2004) was an English poet, folk singer and songwriter. He is often called a hymn-writer for Lord of the Dance, though his songs range across faith, protest, doubt and ordinary life.
Audio previews
Tracks
- Here we go up to Bethlehem Sydney Carter (Traditional) :36
- Standing in the Rain Sydney Carter 1:48
- Every Star shall sing a Carol Sydney Carter 2:58
- Jesu Parvule Donald Swann Michael Hoban 2:36
- The Storke Carol Donald Swann (Anonymous) 2:05
- Jubilate Domino Donald Swann David Marsh 1:24
- Christmas Donald Swann John Betjeman 2:40
- The Devil wore a Crucifix Sydney Carter 1:19
- Psalm 95: Venite Donald Swann (Book of Common Prayer) 2:31
- The Clock Carol Donald Swann Paul Townsend 1:35
- Sanctus Clemens non Papa 1:08
- Judas and Mary Sydney Carter 2:02
- Praise the Lord who reigns above Donald Swann Charles Wesley 2:03
- The Fruit of the Tree Donald Swann David Marsh 1:35
- Dust, Dust and Ashes (Traditional) 2:47
- I Lie down with God Donald Swann Eleanor Hull 1:16
- Lord of the Dance Sydney Carter (Traditional) Arr: Sydney Carter 2:18
- Benedictus Donald Swann (Book of Common Prayer) 2:47
Performers
- Donald Swann · piano, vocals · all except tracks 1, 4, 11, 13 and 15
- Boys of Westminster School Choir · all except tracks 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 and 16
- Girls of Mayfield School Choir · all except tracks 3, 4, 7, 12, 15–17
- Nicholas Jackson · organ · tracks 4, 6, 13 and 18
- Susan MacDonald · vocals · tracks 3 and 16
- Peter Wilson · vocals · track 3
- Helen Denniston · vocals · track 16
- Sylvia Junge · all except tracks 7, 12 and 16
Composers
Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley's hymns still carry congregations and choirs: bold doctrinal verse made for singing, from Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Christ the Lord Is Risen Today to Love Divine and Jesu, Lover of My Soul.
Eleanor Hull
Eleanor Hull wrote the English versification of the Old Irish prayer Rop tú mo baile, known as the hymn Be Thou My Vision. The 1912 text is sung as standard congregational hymnody on recordings of favourite hymns.
Clemens non Papa
Clemens non Papa’s motets are high Renaissance polyphony at full stretch: Marian devotion in O Maria, vernans rosa, Christmas wonder in the six-voice O magnum mysterium, and the stark grief of Vox in Rama.
Where to listen
Sing Round the Year is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Sing Round the Year 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 3002
- List price
- $15.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 35 minutes 28 seconds
- Release date
- May 1968
- Musical work
copyright - © 1968 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1968 Move Records
- Categories
- Choral, Christmas
- Genres
- Choral & Sacred, Children's, Christmas
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574300222
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