Jackson Berkeys Cantorum Christmas - The Anniversary Carols

Product Review

Why another recording of carols? Jackson Berkey's Anniversary Carols; are as unusual as they are familiar. Berkey's surprises in rhythm, meter, voicing and harmonies bring refreshing sparkle to these familiar melodies, presenting you, the listener, with songs that are at once dear and traditional, yet delightfully new again. Almeda Berkey again draws superb singing from the voices of Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum in this Christmas work that has been compared to the Britten Ceremony of Carols;. And no wonder! The instrumentation is for solo harp (with SDG Records® artist Kathy Bundock Moore) with occasional tambour, finger cymbals, triangle and bass viol. Instrumental combinations highlight the voices in unexpected surprises: imagine the French carol, Il est né; flavoured with the texture of a bolero. Or in keeping with the composer's diverse background, think of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen4; with a Mannheim Steamroller/Renaissance backbeat on the harp! Look for choral influences of Arvo Pärt in The Silent Word. Sound intriguing? Watch and listen for it during the 1998 Holiday Season!

Title Tracks for Jackson Berkey's Cantorum Christmas - The Anniversary Carols

1. O, Come All Ye Faithful
2. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
3. Still, Still Night (Silent Night)
4. Baby Jesus, Asleep in my Arms
5. Joy to the World
6. Jesu, Son Most Sweet and Dear
7. The Silent Word (What Child is This?)
8. Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus
9. A Day in a Manger
10. A Day in a Manger (Harp solo)
11. Angels We Have Heard on High
12. Il est ne le divin enfant

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review

(1 customer review)

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Interesting to listen to, December 22, 2009

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jackson Berkey's Cantorum Christmas - The Anniversary Carols (Audio CD)

This one gives the ears a work out. The harp, the timing, and the interwoven melodies are extremely interesting.