You have to be a little more creative these days if you want to compile a unique choral Christmas music program–traditional carols and their various popular arrangements and the classic original Christmas works, from Bach to Britten, are more than generously represented in the CD catalog. The excellent St. Martin’s Chamber Choir handily solved that problem on its first A Marian Christmas recording (type Q9402 in Search Reviews) with a performance of Distler’s rarely-heard variations on Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, along with a number of worthy but lesser-known gems, both arrangements and recently composed original works. With this new follow-up, it’s safe to say that the choir and its director Timothy Krueger have done it again, this time highlighted by Glen McGrath’s beautiful Three Marian Carols. Written in 2000, these lovely, at times gentle, poignant, and powerful settings capture the mystery and magnificence of their subject through careful attention to the poetic texts and an artful joining of both ancient and modern harmonic/melodic/rhythmic techniques.
Geoffrey Bush’s Make we Merry is a challenging yet thoroughly modern, infectious treatment of an old carol, as is M. Susan Brown’s melding of Two French Carols into a lively, eminently repeatable arrangement (although I wish it had ended about 20 seconds before it does!). You may never have heard John White’s Maria Laudate, but if you know the beloved Britten setting of this text, titled Hymn to the Virgin, you’ll appreciate White’s unique and equally compelling version, which contains an additional verse.
There’s much more to savor here, all of it first rate and very well sung (although there are some rare moments where soprano intonation is just slightly under-pitch)–and you’ll be certain to appreciate the discovery of many new and rarely-heard works unduplicated elsewhere in your choral Christmas library. Highly recommended! [10/7/2009]
