COMPOSERS: Early Christmas Music and Carols for the British Isles
LABELS: Carpe Diem Records
ALBUM TITLE: On A Cold Winter's Day
WORKS: Early Christmas Music and Carols for the British Isles
PERFORMER: Quadriga Consort
CATALOGUE NO: XM12026
Music-wise, it’s hard to do something genuinely different at Christmas, so this fascinating collection of pieces by the early music ensemble Quadriga Consort (recorders, viola da gamba, cello, percussion and harpsichord) is hugely refreshing. Traditional English tunes from the medieval era rub shoulders with hauntingly beautiful examples from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic traditions. Stand-out tracks include the lullaby Tàladh ar Slànaighear and a lively group of seasonal jigs and reels from Ireland, featuring jaunty recorder contributions. Elisabeth Kaplan is the deliciously pure-toned soprano soloist.