Bob Chilcott: Christmas Oratorio
Neal Davies (bass-baritone), Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), Nick Pritchard (tenor), The Choir of Merton College, Oxford, Benjamin Nicholas
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 1st December 2023
Chilcott uses the Evangelist, and Olivia Jageurs’s accompanying nimble harp, to give us those moments of rapt stillness that mark that certain Christmas magic, and also to change the flow amidst...
Bob Chilcott: Christmas Oratorio
Neal Davies (bass-baritone), Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), Nick Pritchard (tenor), The Choir of Merton College, Oxford, Benjamin Nicholas
Purchase product
Awards:
-
Presto Recording of the Week, 1st December 2023
Chilcott uses the Evangelist, and Olivia Jageurs’s accompanying nimble harp, to give us those moments of rapt stillness that mark that certain Christmas magic, and also to change the flow amidst...
About
Hailed as ‘a palpable success … and utterly new’ at its premiere performance, Bob Chilcott’s Christmas Oratorio brings the magic, wonder and joy of a centuries-old story to modern-day life. This first recording reassembles the glittering cast of soloists from the premiere: Nick Pritchard’s Evangelist, intimately accompanied by harp and flute, is joined by mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly and bass Neal Davies. Benjamin Nicholas’s award-winning Choir of Merton College, Oxford enrich the Christmas story with carols that are sure to become instant favourites. The composer is delighted with the recording, describing it as ‘elegant, well paced and poised … The choir is fabulous – confident and sure’.
Contents and tracklist
- Choir of Merton College Oxford, Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia
- Benjamin Nicholas
- Nick Pritchard (tenor), Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), Ciara Williams, Neal Davies (baritone), Tim Burton, Chloe Vincent, Olivia Jageurs
- Choir of Merton College Oxford, Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia
- Benjamin Nicholas
- Choir of Merton College Oxford, Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia
- Benjamin Nicholas
- Francois Cloete
- Choir of Merton College Oxford, Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia
- Benjamin Nicholas
Spotlight on this release
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Bob Chilcott's Christmas Oratorio
1st Dec 2023
Benjamin Nicholas and the choir of Merton College, Oxford perform Bob Chilcott's new Christmas Oratorio - filled with lyrical solo writing, beautiful choral numbers and sweeping congregational tunes.
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Bob Chilcott on his Christmas Oratorio
1st Dec 2023
The composer talks about his new choral work, setting a range of traditional texts to re-tell the Christmas story and just released by the choir of Merton College, Oxford on Delphian Records.
Awards and reviews
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Presto Recording of the Week1st December 2023
Christmas 2023
Chilcott uses the Evangelist, and Olivia Jageurs’s accompanying nimble harp, to give us those moments of rapt stillness that mark that certain Christmas magic, and also to change the flow amidst some lovely settings - particularly 'A Carol to the King'.
December 2023
Chilcott speaks with his customary freshness, with eloquent vocal lines and pared-down accompaniments, ideal to help put across the message.
1st December 2023
Much of Chilcott’s music conveys a sense of comfort and reassurance...His sweeping new tunes for the hymns remind me a little of Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light: A Requiem; not rousing per se, but gently uplifting. They’re finely-crafted, memorable and perfectly suited to audience participation.
25th November 2023
Chilcott’s substantial telling of the New Testament narrative, Christmas Oratorio is expertly performed by the choir of Merton College, Oxford, with top soloists.
