A very good rendition, notwithstanding my preference for a somewhat faster tempo. I cannot understand why people continue to use the alternative Holst setting, other than that it is more easily singable for a congregation, because in my view it is just plain boring and soulless. This absolutely isn't. I first heard this setting at a London Inter-Faculty Christian Union carol service in December 1975. By far the best performance I've heard of it was by the choir of Liverpool Cathedral, but that recording is long since 'out of print' as they say. Pity. But, this comes close and is marvellously clear in spite of the facemasks ... and having myself had to sing in an FFP2 facemask I appreciate the challenge. Lovely work by the organist, too, and a nice instrument by the sound of it. The continual changes in time signature in this arrangement seem offputting at first, unless one appreciates that broadly speaking they follow natural speech rhythms, which is always my preference in regard to my compositions. Well done, once again. Best wishes, Stuart Brown (composer / arranger, UK)
One of my favorite Christmas anthems! Thanks for doing this. This is one of those anthems that seems that a lot of people have forgotten about.
Glad you enjoyed it!
A very good rendition, notwithstanding my preference for a somewhat faster tempo. I cannot understand why people continue to use the alternative Holst setting, other than that it is more easily singable for a congregation, because in my view it is just plain boring and soulless. This absolutely isn't. I first heard this setting at a London Inter-Faculty Christian Union carol service in December 1975. By far the best performance I've heard of it was by the choir of Liverpool Cathedral, but that recording is long since 'out of print' as they say. Pity. But, this comes close and is marvellously clear in spite of the facemasks ... and having myself had to sing in an FFP2 facemask I appreciate the challenge. Lovely work by the organist, too, and a nice instrument by the sound of it. The continual changes in time signature in this arrangement seem offputting at first, unless one appreciates that broadly speaking they follow natural speech rhythms, which is always my preference in regard to my compositions. Well done, once again. Best wishes, Stuart Brown (composer / arranger, UK)