by Paul Matheson

SONG OF THE NATIVITY by The Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers (Coro COR16146 www.thesixteen.com)

The Sixteen are well-known as one of the world’s great vocal ensembles and performers of sacred choral music. Founded by their director Harry Christophers in 1979, they have acquired a large and devoted following since they started their much-loved annual Choral Pilgrimage in the year 2000, which has brought the ensemble to Britain’s great cathedrals and abbeys to perform sacred music in the spaces for which it was composed.

In this 74 minute-long recording of songs for Advent and Christmas, The Sixteen present a selection of beautiful Christmas carols that were composed in the 20th and 21st centuries in continuation of an ancient tradition. In his selection for this programme, Harry Christophers showcases recently composed ‘modern classics’, some of which have become staples of Christmas carol services, and contrasts them with a number of very old traditional Christmas carols. In doing so he reveals the deep wellspring of cultural and religious tradition that has continued to inspire contemporary composers.

In the CD’s accompanying booklet (which I have drawn upon for this review), music historian Andrew Stewart observes that generations of writers, poets, artists, singers and worshippers since early medieval times have been inspired by the Feast of the Nativity (Cristes masse / Christmas): ‘the moment when Christ the True Sun (Sol Verus) brought eternal light to illuminate the dark earth’.

Paul Matheson is a music reviewer and diversity officer with the police.