Neal Davies, Sarah Connolly, Nick Pritchard, The Choir of Merton College – Bob Chilcott: Christmas Oratorio (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Neal Davies, Sarah Connolly, Nick Pritchard, The Choir of Merton College – Bob Chilcott: Christmas Oratorio (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:12:08 minutes | 1,10 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Delphian Records

Hailed as ‘a palpable success… and utterly new’ at its premiere performance, Bob Chilcott’s Christmas Oratorio brings the magic, wonder and joy of a centuries-old story to modern-day life. This first recording reassembles the glittering cast of soloists from the premiere: Nick Pritchard’s Evangelist, intimately accompanied by harp and flute, is joined by mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly and bass Neal Davies. Benjamin Nicholas’s award-winning Choir of Merton College, Oxford enrich the Christmas story with carols that are sure to become instant favourites. The composer is delighted with the recording, describing it as ‘elegant, well paced and poised… The choir is fabulous – confident and sure’.

Tracklist:
01. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – Jesus Christ the Apple Tree (02:50)
02. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – Christmas Oratorio: I. Lo! How a Rose, e’er blooming (03:26)
03. Nick Pritchard – Christmas Oratorio: II. The Angel Gabriel (05:12)
04. Sarah Connolly – Christmas Oratorio: III. Magnificat (06:56)
05. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – Christmas Oratorio: IV. Hymn: Thou whose almighty word (02:40)
06. Nick Pritchard – Christmas Oratorio: V. And it came to pass in those days (03:27)
07. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – Christmas Oratorio: VI. A Boy was born (02:29)
08. Nick Pritchard – Christmas Oratorio: VII. And there were in the same country shepherds (04:00)
09. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – Christmas Oratorio: VIII. Hymn: Shepherds in the field abiding (03:09)
10. Nick Pritchard – Christmas Oratorio: IX. And they came with haste (01:52)
11. Sarah Connolly – Christmas Oratorio: X. Love came down at Christmas (04:07)
12. Nick Pritchard – Christmas Oratorio: XI. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem (05:22)
13. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – Christmas Oratorio: XII. A Carol to the King (03:12)
14. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – Christmas Oratorio: XIII. Hymn: As with gladness men of old (03:26)
15. Nick Pritchard – Christmas Oratorio: XIV. And when eight days were accomplished (03:33)
16. Neal Davies – Christmas Oratorio: XV. Nunc dimittis (03:38)
17. Nick Pritchard – Christmas Oratorio: XVI. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things (02:00)
18. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – Christmas Oratorio: XVII. Hymn: A great and mighty wonder (03:21)
19. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – The Pear Tree Carol (03:59)
20. Choir of Merton College, Oxford – Welcome, all wonders in one sight! (03:20)

Personnel:
Neal Davies, baritone
Sarah Connolly, mezzo-soprano
Nick Pritchard, tenor
Choir of Merton College Oxford
Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia
Benjamin Nicholas, conductor

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