Something a little different

[MickyD]

For those of you a little weary of the usual Christmas choral offerings, I would urge you to snap up this pair of fascinating discs (still available cheaply on Amazon) that appeared some years ago of Georgian Christmas music from Peter Holman, Psamoldy and the Parley of Instruments. There are quite a few surprises to be had - not only are they scholarly but highly enjoyable, too.

[W.Kearns]

I have 'While shepherds watched...', Micky, and share your enthusiasm. Exploration of the 'Parley of Instruments' website suggests that they may no longer be active, since there appear to be no listings since 2011. As for 'Psalmody', my brief google-trawl produced a certain amount of web-info about the use of the psalms in the liturgy, but nothing for Peter Holman's chamber group. It would be a shame if neither group is currently extant. Perhaps I have missed something....

[teamsaint]

Thanks Micky.
West Gallery music is something of interest to me, so I’ll have a dabble with “Nativity”.

[MickyD]

Glad that this has provoked some interest!

I should also add that the notes by Peter Holman in each of these discs are first class, they make for fascinating reading.

I looked at the website for the Parley of Instruments and come to the same conclusions, W.Kearns...it would be really sad if they had stopped playing. They made so many wonderful discs of forgotten or neglected English music for Hyperion..I am still in the process of trying to fill gaps in my collection.

[W.Kearns]

Agree on both points, Micky. Peter Holman's notes were intriguing and full of wise insights. As for the Parley of Instruments and Psalmody, if they are no longer performing, it is a great loss. Their achievement was terrific.

[teamsaint]

My used copy of Nativity turned up today, and very good it is. Not got round to reading the notes yet, but the whole thing is a nice package.

And mine had an unintended freebie of a Vivaldi Gloria and Bach Magnificat from the Atlanta SO and Chamber Chorus under Robert Shaw, which was also for some reason in the box. That ought to be quite good, I would think?

[rauschwerk]

Agree on both points, Micky. Peter Holman's notes were intriguing and full of wise insights. As for the Parley of Instruments and Psalmody, if they are no longer performing, it is a great loss. Their achievement was terrific.

Psalmody are still very much alive and appearing regularly at the Suffolk Villages Festival.

[Pulcinella]

My used copy of Nativity turned up today, and very good it is. Not got round to reading the notes yet, but the whole thing is a nice package.

And mine had an unintended freebie of a Vivaldi Gloria and Bach Magnificat from the Atlanta SO and Chamber Chorus under Robert Shaw, which was also for some reason in the box. That ought to be quite good, I would think?

You might find out in Saturday's BaL.

[teamsaint]

You might find out in Saturday's BaL.

14 for Xmas lunch, and all but one staying here from Saturday/ Sunday .

There won’t be time for BaL type stuff. Best I’ll manage is checking the result on the teleprinter I reckon !!


i’ll have a listen to the Atlanta asap though.

[W.Kearns]

Psalmody are still very much alive and appearing regularly at the Suffolk Villages Festival.

That's great, Raushwerk, and thanks for this welcome news. Floreant Psalmody!

[MickyD]

Thanks Micky.
West Gallery music is something of interest to me, so I’ll have a dabble with “Nativity”.

So glad you enjoyed the disc, teamsaint. I meant to mention this older disc, too, which I guess would be of interest to you.
Still available.

[Triforium]

Saydisc has several Christmas discs that fall under the 'something a little different' category.

I am rather fond of this disc - http://www.wyastone.co.uk/enchanted-...el-organs.html

I normally run whenever handbells are mentioned, but the few pieces on this disc which make use of them are done extremely well.

From the Saydisc site:

"One of the most delightful & imaginative Christmas records I have ever come across" commented the record reviewer in the Oxford Times and we think this is a fair assessment of our biggest selling album.

I already owned Nativity, and just received and listened to While shepherds watched. Thanks MickyD, for the recommendations.

[MickyD]

I missed this disc when it came out two years ago - it is absolutely delightful. A selection of music for female voices by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms and Wagner based on the legends of the Rhine, accompanied by period horns and harp. A lovely warm acoustic, too.

[gurnemanz]

Thanks, Micky, for pointing to the Rheinmädchen disc above. Looks right up my street. I have also just come across a fine disc which I missed the first time round. "Love Songs" is a beautiful and wide-ranging compendium from the sublime Arleen Auger, accompanied on the piano by Dalton Baldwin. Coincidentally, I believe a certain love-related day is just coming up. This disc will do nicely.

I went cheapskate and acquired it second hand from Amazon. Also revives memories of seeing her in recital in the 70s. She was, of course, later to die tragically young in her early 50s.

[MickyD]

Thanks, Micky, for pointing to the Rheinmädchen disc above. Looks right up my street. I have also just come across a fine disc which I missed the first time round. "Love Songs" is a beautiful and wide-ranging compendium from the sublime Arleen Auger, accompanied on the piano by Dalton Baldwin. Coincidentally, I believe a certain love-related day is just coming up. This disc will do nicely.

I went cheapskate and acquired it second hand from Amazon. Also revives memories of seeing her in recital in the 70s. She was, of course, later to die tragically young in her early 50s.

I hope you enjoy the Rheinmadchen disc, gurnemanz..it really is a treat, some beautiful sounds - really surprising is the opening of Die Walkure with just vocal and horn accompaniment, quite magical.

I was a fan of Arleen Auger, too - did you ever hear this disc of Haydn arias and cantatas with Hogwood? Now available very cheaply, too..;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-Arias-Cantatas/dp/B00000E43F/ref=sr_1_65?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1548921605&sr=1-65&keywords=Arleen+Auger