O Holy Night: A Merton Christmas

Kelham, Oliver; Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra; Hicks, Eleanor; Nicholas, Benjamin; Little, Alexander; Webb, Clare; Choir of Merton College, Oxford; Shepherd, Peter; Willcocks, David

The Choir of Merton College joins forces with the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra for a recording of director Benjamin Nicholas’s favorite popular carols. Two of John Rutter’s most exquisite works are complemented by orchestral versions of well-loved traditional fare. From the ecstatic brass fanfares that introduce O come, all ye faithful and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing to the intimate performances of Elizabeth Poston’s beautiful Jesus Christ the apple tree and Morten Lauridsen’s O magnum mysterium, Christmas old and new is celebrated with a fresh sense of all its magic and glory. The choir and orchestra loved making this recording, and it shows. The Choir of Merton College is one of Oxford’s leading mixed-voice choirs and sings the services, during term-time, in the thirteenth century chapel. The choir consists of thirty undergraduates and post-graduates, many of whom hold choral scholarships at Merton College.

Price: $28.98