My Kind of Carol

This CD was commissioned by The Tablet and features its readers’ favourite carols and music specially selected by Exmoor Singers. The most popular carol as voted for by The Tablet's readers was O Holy Night. This compilation also includes a first recording of James Lavino's Peaceful was the night and a first recording of a carol based on an Alsatian cradle song At the Nativity. Other highlights include Jonathan Dove's The Three Kings and Malcolm Sargent's beautiful arrangement of Stille Nacht.

Audio extracts from five of the tracks are available as shown below.

This new CD is out now. It can be ordered through The Tablet.

  1. Of the Father’s Love Begotten
    Arr. David Willcocks (b.1919),
    from “Piae Cantiones” (1582)

  2. A Spotless Rose
    Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

  3. Gabriel’s Message (The Angel Gabriel)
    Arr. David Willcocks, Basque carol

  4. Bethlehem Down
    Peter Warlock (1894-1930)

  5. O Come, O come, Emmanuel
    (Veni, Veni, Emmanuel)
    Arr. David Willcocks,
    adapted from fifteenth-century French
    Franciscan Processional

  6. In the Bleak Midwinter
    Harold Darke (1888-1976)

  7. Christe, Redemptor Omnium
    Trad. sixth century

  8. O Little Town of Bethlehem
    Arr. R.Vaughan Williams

  9. Peaceful Was The Night
    James Lavino (b.1973)
    (first recording)

  10. Once in Royal David’s City
    H.J. Gauntlett (1805-76), harmonized by A.H.Mann (1850-1929), Arr. David Willcocks

  11. O Little One Sweet [listen]
    Old German melody harmonised by J.S.Bach


  12. O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël / Christmas Song) [listen]
    Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)


  13. Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
    Franz Gruber (1818), arr. Malcolm Sargent (1948)

  14. Candlelight Carol
    Words and Music by John Rutter (b. 1945)

  15. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
    Trad. English tune adapted by Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) Arr. David Willcocks

  16. At the Nativity (Gloomy Night) [listen]
    Alsatian cradle song (Cantiques de Strasbourg. 1697), New descant by Edward Batting


  17. Good King Wenceslas
    Arr. Reginald Jacques (1894-1969), tune from “Piae Cantiones”

  18. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) [listen]
    German traditional


  19. Coventry Carol [listen]
    anon., 1591 or earlier


  20. The Three Kings
    Jonathan Dove (b.1959)

  21. Sans Day Carol
    John Rutter (b.1945)

This new CD is out now. It can be ordered through The Tablet.