Best Christmas Carol CD?

[Wolsey]

Someone has just sent me a text message asking for the "best God rest you merry, Gentlemen" on CD. I'm flummoxed. I have only two Christmas carols CDs - both recorded in 1984: the Abbey label recording made by St George's Chapel Choir, Windsor (Christopher Robinson/John Porter) - traditional pot-boiler stuff, and the DG recording of the Westminster Abbey Choir (Simon Preston/Christopher Herrick) with more items off the beaten track; I feel inclined to recommend the Windsor recording.

As a matter of interest, what recordings would other forum members recommend as their definitive "traditional sound of Christmas"?

[Simon Biazeck]

CAROLS FROM NEW COLLEGE (1985)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carols-New-College-Choir-Oxford/dp/B000060K7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353969682&sr=8-1

Magical singing and my introduction to many of the classics. Committed, vibrant, musical and every word is crystal clear.

[Philip]

The John Rutter Christmas Album.

*ducks for cover*

:p

[Simon Biazeck]

BTW - I know the W-Abbey one you mention (and like it very much!) but not the Windsor compilation, which I must now investigate!

[Petrushka]

Many years ago I picked up a Christmas Carol CD with the choir of York Minster and Francis Jackson (my old choirmaster was a pupil of his).

All the usial suspects are there, nothing off the beaten track, but the organ is given plenty of welly and this is in the CD player each Christmas morning.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Many years ago I picked up a Christmas Carol CD with the choir of York Minster and Francis Jackson (my old choirmaster was a pupil of his).

All the usial suspects are there, nothing off the beaten track, but the organ is given plenty of welly and this is in the CD player each Christmas morning.

Whole-heartedly agreed. It was on Chandos Collect and titled 'On Christmas Night'.

[Bryn]

[Petrushka]

Whole-heartedly agreed. It was on Chandos Collect and titled 'On Christmas Night'.

Yes, that's the one. And a terrific God rest you merry for Wolsley!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Carols-Minister-Choir-Minster/dp/B000050437/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1353971421&sr=1-2

[ardcarp]

A brilliant Hyperion compilation CD, Christmas Through the Ages, always blasts out through our house on Christmas morn. It's just full of joy and all the performances are A1. It hasn't got GRYMG on it....so maybe it doesn't fit the criteria.

[Barbirollians]

I am still very fond of this one - though my LP from 1984 is getting rather cracklyhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/O-Come-All-Y...3975233&sr=1-3

It seems that the whole album is included on this collection as well with some David Willcocks versions of others thrown in .

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Carol-Collection-Various-Artists/dp/B0000252YI/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1353975428&sr=1-1

[Miles Coverdale]

As a matter of interest, what recordings would other forum members recommend as their definitive "traditional sound of Christmas"?

In no particular order, the Bach Collegium Japan Christmas Oratorio, the Westminster Cathedral/David Hill Ceremony of Carols and the Gabrieli Consort CD of Praetorius Mass for Christmas Morning.

[teamsaint]

Gabriels Message on Naxos, from Worcester and Tewkesbury is a lovely CD IMO.

[DracoM]

I'd endorse the New College Ox recommendation.

[antongould]

I know it doesn't exactly fit the bill/requirement but this got a very good press hereabouts last year. IMHO most excellent

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terra-Pax-Christmas-Anthology-Leighton/dp/B002QEXBYA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323986703&sr=8-1

[Nick Armstrong]

I know it doesn't exactly fit the bill/requirement but this got a very good press hereabouts last year. IMHO most excellent
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terra-Pax-Ch...3986703&sr=8-1

Thank you for reminding me, anton - I acquired this about a year ago, and enjoyed it last festive season: must place it prominently on the shelf for listening from next week onwards, it's a lovely disc