Gloria [Box set]

The Choir of Christ Church (Artist), Oxford (Artist), The Choir of New College (Artist), The Choir of Magdalen College (Artist), Benjamin Britten (Composer), Kenneth Leighton (Composer), William Mathias (Composer), Grayston Ives (Composer), John Taverner (Composer), Orlando Gibbons (Composer), Thomas Tallis (Composer), and others (Composer), Stephen Darlington (Conductor), by Bill Ives (Conductor), Edward Higginbottom (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: Stephen Darlington, by Bill Ives, Edward Higginbottom
• Composer: Benjamin Britten, Kenneth Leighton, William Mathias, Grayston Ives, John Taverner, et al.
• Audio CD (March 3, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Connoisseur Collection
• ASIN: B000K2UI50
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #363,171 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Coventry carol - 16th century - The Choir of Christ Church, Oxford

2. A boy was born in Bethlehem - Benjamin Britten - The Choir of New College, Oxford

3. Balulalow from A Ceremony of Carols - Benjamin Britten - The Choir of New College, Oxford

4. There is no rose - Benjamin Britten - The Choir of New College, Oxford

5. As dew in April - Benjamin Britten - The Choir of New College, Oxford

6. Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child - Kenneth Leighton - The Choir of New College, Oxford

7. Wassail - William Mathias - The Choir of New College, Oxford

8. Quem vidistis pastores - Francis Poulenc - The Choir of New College, Oxford

9. In the bleak midwinter - Harold Darke - The Choir of New College, Oxford

10. What sweeter music can we bring - Kenneth Leighton - The Choir of New College, Oxford

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The truth sent from above - Traditional arranged Ralph Vaughan Williams - The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford

2. Joseph lieber, Joseph mein - Hieronymus Praetorius - The Choir of New College, Oxford,

3. Riu, riu chiu - Mateo Flecha - The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford

4. Es ist ein' Ros entsprungen - Michael Praetorius - The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford

5. Unto us is born a Son - arranged David Willcocks - The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford

6. All sons of Adam - Anonymous Scottish 15th century - The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford

7. Christe Jesu, pastor bone - John Taverner - The Choir of Christ Church, Oxford

8. This is the record of John - Orlando Gibbons - The Choir of Christ Church, Oxford

9. Of the father's heart begotten - from Piae Cantiones 1582 arranged David Willcocks - The Choir of New College, Oxford

10. How beautiful upon the mountains - John Stainer - The Choir of Magdalen College

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Gloria
Christmas Music from England's great choral tradition featuring Oxford's top boys choirs

2 CD set in an elegant, book-like package.

Choral music has flourished in Oxford for over 600 years, and principally in the ancient foundations at New College, Magdalen College, and Christ Church. New College, founded in 1379 with sixteen choristers and three singing-men, was first on the scene, and was the sole major choral foundation in Oxford until the choir at Magdalen was established just over a hundred years later in 1480. Both institutions were founded by bishops of Winchester (William of Wyckham and William of Waynflete, respectively), although the choir at Magdalen was conceived at a time when musical composition and the role of the choir were fundamentally different: the medieval music of the late 14th and early 15th centuries was small scale, mostly in three and (more rarely) four parts, and the vocal compass of each composition rarely exceeded two octaves. By the second half of the 15th century, however, there was a veritable explosion in compositional endeavour; works were conceived on a broad canvas, single works lasting up to 10 or 15 minutes in performance, and vocal ranges extending to three octaves. To this end, Waynflete endowed Magdalen with sixteen choristers and eight singing-men capable of tackling the most elaborate music of the time, such as that preserved in the Eton Choirbook. The last, and most elaborate choral foundation was that of Cardinal College (now Christ Church). Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a Magdalen man, set up his own Oxford college in 1526 and, according to his nature, demanded the best. The collegiate buildings were constructed on the grandest scale, and the choir, with sixteen choristers and twelve men and led by the great John Taverner, contained some of the finest singers in England, some hand-picked by Wolsey himself.

A refined selection from the best of our Christmas music, performed by the pick of the traditional Oxford choirs on our label. There is music from the Middle Ages to modern times (including some twentieth century favourites), with an emphasis on the English choral tradition. Gloria comes with detailed notes on the history of Christmas music in England.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic Oxford Choir Music, January 31, 2009

By 

T. M. Weddle (Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gloria (Audio CD)

I heard this at a friend's house and was able to find it here at Amazon. The above description is right-on. There are some pieces here that we've never heard before.