The First Nowell: Christmas Carols Through the Ages The Edison Singers & Noel Edison

• 1 Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day (Arr. S. Nicholson for Choir & Organ) 02:41
• 2 In the Bleak Midwinter (Arr. O. Gjeilo for Choir) 05:15
• 3 I Wonder As I Wander (Arr. M. O'Donovan for Choir & Organ) 04:35
• 4 Hodie Christus natus est, SwWV 163 (Arr. N. Edison for Choir & Organ) 03:58
• 5 Sans Day Carol (Arr. J. Rutter for Choir & Organ) 03:27
• 6 Adam Lay Ybounden 01:07
• 7 Go Tell It on the Mountain (Arr. P. Halley for Choir) 03:46
• 8 Lux Arumque 03:08
• 9 5 English Folk Songs: No. 5, Wassail Song 02:42
• 10 In the Stillness 01:49
• 11 Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Arr. C. Wood and M. Larkin for Choir & Organ) 02:23
• 12 A Virgin Most Pure (Arr. C. Wood for Choir) 02:51
• 13 Hodie, Christus natus est 01:58
• 14 Coventry Carol (Arr. M. Shaw for Choir) 02:07
• 15 Ave Maria (Version for 2 Mixed Choirs) 06:53
• 16 My Dancing Day (Arr. B. Chilcott for Choir) 01:54
• 17 Silent Night (Arr. S. Chinsen for Choir & Organ) 03:08
• 18 The First Nowell (Arr. P. Halley and J. Stainer for Choir & Organ) 05:38
• Total Runtime 59:20

Info for The First Nowell: Christmas Carols Through the Ages

Die Ursprünge des Weihnachtsliedes liegen im Mittelalter, aber seither hat es eine große Vielfalt an musikalischen Hintergründen angenommen. Auf diesem Album wird die religiöse Stimmung in viele verschiedene Kontexte eingebettet – von Mysterienspielen bis hin zu einem afroamerikanischen Spiritual, von den Ursprüngen des gregorianischen Gesangs und dem weltlichen Tanz des 16. Jahrhundert bis hin zu traditionellen Beispielen, die in der Poesie verwurzelt sind. Einige der berühmtesten und schönsten Beispiele sind neben energiegeladenen zeitgenössischen Weihnachtsliedern zu hören, um einen Überblick über das Genre im Laufe der Jahrhunderte zu geben.

The Edison Singers
Noel Edison, Leitung

Dr. Noel Edison
is a versatile and charismatic conductor who has long been recognised as one of the leading choral conductors in Canada. As past artistic director and conductor of Canadian ensembles the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, The Elora Singers and the fully-professional Parish choir of St John’s Anglican Church Elora, and current artistic director and conductor of The Edison Singers, Edison is widely recognised for his skilful interpretive work with both choir and orchestra.

Dr. Edison is the recipient of numerous distinguished awards including the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Edison has produced over 26 recordings under the Naxos international label with his various choirs, and many of these recordings have earned nominations for both GRAMMY and JUNO awards.

Matthew Larkin
One of Canada’s leading liturgical musicians for many years, Matthew Larkin has served as director/associate director of music at a number of significant Canadian parishes, including St John’s Church, Victoria; St Matthew’s Church, Ottawa; St James Cathedral, Toronto; Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa and St Thomas’s Church, Toronto.

He attended the University of Toronto (as organ scholar of Trinity College), and the Royal College of Music (UK), with studies in organ performance, choral direction, conducting and composition. A Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Larkin is known worldwide as a recitalist, accompanist and recording artist, and is currently the artistic director of Caelis Academy Ensemble (which he founded in 2016), and custodian of music at St Andrew’s Church, Ottawa.

He maintains a full calendar of engagements, and divides his time between Ottawa and Toronto. Larkin has been featured on both the Naxos and ATMA Classique labels, and is represented by Domoney Artists.

Booklet for The First Nowell: Christmas Carols Through the Ages