COMPOSERS: Bach,Mendelssohn,Vaughan Williams
LABELS: LPO
WORKS: Vaughan Williams: The First Nowell; JS Bach: Cantata No. 63; Mendelssohn: Vom Himmel hoch
PERFORMER: Milne (soprano), Donose (mezzo), Staples (tenor), Maltman (baritone); London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra/Vladimir Jurowski
CATALOGUE NO: LPO 0050
Vaughan Williams loved Christmas, and his late work The First Nowell, a 30-minute carol compendium written for a nativity play, is lovingly performed live here by Vladimir Jurowski’s London Philharmonic forces. The choir is well prepared and warmly expressive, and there is sympathetic solo work from baritone Christopher Maltman. Mendelssohn’s cantata Vom Himmel hoch is tenderly shaped by Jurowski, while Bach’s Christen, ätzet diesen Tag, though slightly heavy-heeled compared to the best period instrument renditions, works well in context. Terry Blain