Their second Christmas album on Signum Records, Armonico Consort and Christopher Monks return with a new album featuring a collection of carols both old and new. They have created the perfect soundtrack for those who love an atmosphere at Christmas. Featuring world premiere recordings by Composer Toby Young and the first ever recording of ‘Star Song’ by Jonathan Dove on a Christmas album, there are also exquisitely sublime versions from ‘Silent Night’ to ‘Away in a Manger’.
“It is ten years since our last carols recording, and we have collected some incredible works we have been so keen to record, including several commissioned from our composer in residence. Christmas somehow manages to inspire composers to write the most imaginative, both in terms of creativity and melodiousness, and Toby is an expert at making Christmas music sound just as we want it to be!” – Christopher Monks
“This [“O Adonai”] is a beautiful, shimmering, numinous opener sung by soprano Emily Wenman. I could imagine this stilling the most restless of congregations at the start of a carol service and leading them into worship. There is a splendid selection of material… there is nothing that is not worth hearing in this collection, but my favourite is Elizabeth Poston’s “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree”. All the singing by the Armonico Consort is first-rate and ably supported by Edward Picton-Turberville on the organ of St Jude’s Church, Hampstead. This is a well-chosen and well sung collection that should lift the hearts of all who hear it.” – Cross Rhythms