In this beautifully chosen program of mostly a cappella arrangements, Robert Shaw and the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers deliver the Christmas story in tones of gentle and moving splendor. The carols and sacred settings recorded here are all of an intimate sort, and the rapturous, gently expressive realizations Shaw and his singers give them prove unfailingly appealing. Particularly moving is the newest work on the disc, a setting of "O magnum mysterium" by the American composer Morten Lauridsen. Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria" is another gem, as is the arrangement by Healy Willan of the French carol "What Is This Lovely Fragrance?" The offering includes a pair of chorales from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and two wonderful Christmas works by Benjamin Britten: "A Hymn to the Virgin" and A Ceremony of Carols, both well done, even if the sound of sopranos and altos (rather than boy trebles) in the latter takes some getting used to. --Ted Libbey
1 O Come, Emmanuel
2 Alleluia
3 The First Nowell
4 The Carol Of The Birds
5 Allon, Gay Bergeres
6 A Hymn To The Virgin
7 O Magnum Mysterium
8 Christmas Oratorio: Rejoice And Sing
9 Ave Maria
10 What Is This Lovely Fragrance?
11 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
12 Sing Lullaby
13 While By My Sheep
14 Christmas Oratorio: Break Forth, O Wondrous Heavenly Light
15 Heavenly Light
16 Adeste Fideles
17 Ceremony Of Carols: Procession - Hodie Christus Natus Est
18 Ceremony Of Carols: Wolcum Yole!
19 Ceremony Of Carols: There Is No Rose
20 Ceremony Of Carols: That Yonge Child
21 Ceremony Of Carols: Balulalow
22 Ceremony Of Carols: As Dew In Aprille
23 Ceremony Of Carols: This Little Babe
24 Interlude (Harp Solo)
25 Ceremony Of Carols: In Freezing Winter Night
26 Ceremony Of Carols: Spring Carol
27 Ceremony Of Carols: Deo Gracias
28 Ceremony Of Carols: Recession: Hodie Christus Natus Est