Tidings (Choir of Wellington Cathedral of St Paul)

With yuletide expressions both traditional and contemporary, this CD from the choir of Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Wellington, New Zealand, explores a vast musical landscape. Nestled snugly among perennial carol favorites are works by 20th-century British choral masters, luminous modern American classics, and recently composed works by New Zealand composers Andrew Baldwin and Geoffrey Coker. Glorious cathedral acoustics complement solid foundations provided by organ and brass. Michael Fulcher directs the choir; Richard Apperley plays most of the accompaniments; Thomas Gaynor, organ scholar, accompanies “Once in Royal David’s City.”

Audio samples:

Tidings - Choir of Wellington Cathedral of St Paul by organism-nz

Tidings, tidings that be true (Peter Aston, b. 1938)
Once in royal David’s city (arr. James O’Donnell, b. 1961)
The angel Gabriel (arr. Pettman, 1865-1943)
A maiden most gentle (Andrew Carter, b. 1939)
God is with us (John Tavener, b. 1944)
O magnum mysterium (Andrew Baldwin. b. 1986)
O magnum mysterium (Morten Lauridsen, b. 1943)
Splendours of nature (Geoffrey Coker, b. 1949)
Lux aurumque (Eric Whitacre, b. 1970)
Sing lullaby (Herbert Howells, 1892-1983)
Lullay my liking (Andrew Baldwin)
Away in a manger (arr. David Hill, b. 1957)
The Salutation (Geoffrey Coker, b. 1949)
Bethlehem Down (Peter Warlock, 1894-1930)
Hark, the herald angels sing (arr. David Hill)
For Him all stars have shone (Bob Chilcott, b. 1955)
O come, all ye faithful (arr. David Hill)