Here are some!Ralph Vaughan Williams' contributions to the Oxford Book of Carols is an important part of modern musical history. The reason I know so many British carols here across the Atlantic is no doubt due to the composer's involvement, not to mention that book's proliferation.
Do I want to sit down and listen to an hour's worth of church hymns? That is the only problem with this recording.
The performers are absolutely beautiful in this music, however, and they do their darnedest to vary the music without taking too much into their own hands. At least the pipe organ changes its registrations and conductor William Vann alternate verses with vocal solos and reassigning portions of the choir instead of repeating verse after verse ad nauseam. And joyous too it is to hear some of the familiar amongst the less familiar.
This is great for Vaughan Williams fans especially, but if you want more flash and flair with your Christmas music, you won't find it here.
A review from 2023
An Oxford Christmas is a sister recording to the earlier A Vaughan Williams Christmas, also on Albion. Intuitively, Oxford primarily focuses on RVW’s contributions to the Oxford Book of Carols.
Most
of these carols are very similar to church hymns, with multiple verses
of simple, accessible tunes and harmonies. The final two selections of
the recording are more diverse choral settings, and they are the
standout works here.
Director William Vann varies each carol by
assigning solos from within the ensemble, sharing verses across gendered
sections of the choir, singing in either unison or in parts, and
choosing a cappella vs accompanied textures. Organist Joshua Ryan gives a
nice variety of registration settings too, aiding the choir in making
the carols sound different throughout.
The Chapel Choir of the
Royal Hospital Chelsea is a boon to each Albion recording they appear
on. With something as simple as carol-hymns, a recording could become
monotonous or boring. Not here, as the Chelsea singers are sweet-toned
and eager to present each carol in their best, most musically beautiful
light. Albion’s sonics are splendid as well, as are the physical media
liner notes.
Sitting down and listening to over an hour’s worth
of hymn-like Christmas carols could be akin to listening to someone
reading a phonebook. Luckily, these performances are closer to having
James Earl Jones read the telephone directory.
Work
Oxford Book of Carols
Ensembles
Joshua Ryan, organ
Royal Hospital Chelsea Chapel Choir
William Vann, conductor
Label: Albion
Year: 2021
Timing: 68.12
Simple carol settings from Vaughan Williams sung by a beautiful-sounding British choir.
Tastes will decide whether or not this recordings gets repeated over the Yuletide season.
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