Following on from the Choir’s success in promoting new and exciting repertoire, its most recent festive recording features works from composers including Michael Finnissy, who’s piece John the Baptist was commissioned for the Choirs’ well-known Advent broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Bob Chilcott’s The Shepherd’s Carol was commissioned by Stephen Cleobury, who along with John Scott – composer of Creator of the Stars of Night – were once Organ Scholars at St John’s.

The traditional seasonal classics have not been overlooked, however, as the recording includes many favourites such as Ding Dong! Merrily on High, O Little Town of Bethlehem and The Holly and the Ivy.

The disc has been both a critical and commercial success, remaining in the Classical Specialist charts throughout the festive period in 2016. Acclaim of the disc includes accolades from the following publications:

‘A meticulously sung carol collection from the always classy choir... Most arresting is O Oriens, by Cecilia McDowall, a beautiful setting of an Advent antiphon, its shimmering tone clusters and delicious suspensions evoking the morning star as it slowly rises through the heavens’ The Observer

‘Proving yet again, they are as good as it gets’ Classic FM

‘Nethsingha’s programming is eclectic… there are superb 20th and 21st Century carols’ The Sunday Times

‘[A] classy and successful programme… [they] invest John Rutter’s Dormi Jesu with the throbbing glow for which this ensemble and its acoustic is famous’ Gramophone

‘[A] rapt performance of Cornelius’s The Three Kings, where Peter Lidbetter is an eloquent soloist, and a delicately inflected, touching account of Elizabeth Poston’s Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree. Excellent engineering captures evocatively the atmosphere of St John’s College Chapel.’ BBC Music Magazine

Whatever your preference, this recording will serve as a marvellous soundtrack to your festive season.