Richly textured songs of Christmas ranging 500 years are unified by the central theme of celebrating God’s incarnation and wondrous vocals by the Ora Singers.
Directed by Suzi Giby, the seven sopranos, altos, five tenors, four basses as well as baritone soloist Roderick Williams and percussionist Joby Burgess take you through medieval moods with wondrous leads by Hanna Cooke/sop, Jeremy Budd/ten and Richard Bannon on a trio of “Anonymous” pieces while the chorus is lovely and textured on William Byrd’s O Magnum Mysterium” a few centuries hence. 20th Century material is well featured with Steven Sametz’s celebrative “Gaudete” as well as Joh Rutter’s “Zuzi’s Carol.” Serenity is in abundance on the pulsating “Coventry Carol” and deep meditations close out the service with Morten Lauridsen’s”O Magnum Mysterium.” Hark! The herald angels are singing on this album!