Composer James Kirkby has given us a fun and rollicking setting of I Saw Three Ships—replete with hints of a sea-going chantey. Arranged for choir and organ, it evokes the joy of the birth of Jesus in its lively rhythms and clear, traditional lyrics. Sprightly—and with a wicked organ part—it reminds us that not all Christmas carols are lullabies.

Robert Cohen's luxurious setting of the poem Before the Paling of the Stars by Christina Rossetti uses close harmonies, and contracted melodies. The English Horn brings a warmth of timbre that contrasts nicely with some of the mild dissonances used in the organ and the accompanying choral parts beneath the soprano part. The crescendo at the end using tonal clusters that lead to a high C in the soprano and full organ underneath is an unusual, but highly effective conclusion to Rossetti's poignant text.

Paul Gibson’s Noel, Noel, Noel, in a jaunty 6/8, sets a traditional English text that spans all the way from the Annunciation to the Epiphany. Men’s voices sound wonderful paired with a solo English horn, and the minor/modal feel gives the whole piece a sort of Medieval spin that suits the words exactly and adds to their enjoyment.

Fraser Wilson has made a wonderful, fresh, and exciting setting of the old English tune The Sussex Carol for SATB choir and drum. Sopranos open the anthem like vocal trumpets, announcing the birth of the King of Kings in this fast-paced setting of the familiar melody—sung so quickly that it sounds more like a rolling duple meter than a measure with six beats.

Paul Gibson’s Star of Heavenly Grace is the familiar text, “What star is this which beams so bright, more lovely than the noonday light.” The music, however, is original, unusual, and sublime. An introspective chant melody weaves its way through the text as the English horn (the sole accompaniment) dialogue, foreshadows, and comments. Starting with unison, then two part, and then a rich TTBB texture, the vocal writing is stunning.

The Italian-American Pietro Yon was known primarily as a virtuoso organist. He held positions at the Vatican and later served as organist and choir director at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York for nearly twenty years. His most famous work, the lovely carol Gesù Bambino, resembles an old Italian pastoral carol, with its long melodic line, dotted rhythms and triple meter. And it borrows the refrain from Adeste fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful), also transformed into triple meter. The gently lulling melody cradles us in musical wonder as the solo violin sings above the lilting melody and simple harmonies in the choir.

One of today’s more prolific and accomplished composers, Malcolm Archer’s setting of The Desert Shall Rejoice, is perhaps our choir’s favorite anthem on this CD. The lush, warm accompaniment in the organ part is echoed in the choral parts, along with a melody that transcends the ordinary and leads us all to a musical zenith that then slowly returns to the humble and touching mood of the beginning. This is truly a masterpiece of choral writing, and Archer at his best.