The First Nowell: Christmas Carols Through the Ages The Edison Singers & Noel Edison
Album info
Album-Release:
2022
HRA-Release:
15.11.2022
Album including Album cover Booklet (PDF)
- 1Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day (Arr. S. Nicholson for Choir & Organ)02:41
- 2In the Bleak Midwinter (Arr. O. Gjeilo for Choir)05:15
- 3I Wonder As I Wander (Arr. M. O'Donovan for Choir & Organ)04:35
- 4Hodie Christus natus est, SwWV 163 (Arr. N. Edison for Choir & Organ)03:58
- 5Sans Day Carol (Arr. J. Rutter for Choir & Organ)03:27
- 6Adam Lay Ybounden01:07
- 7Go Tell It on the Mountain (Arr. P. Halley for Choir)03:46
- 8Lux Arumque03:08
- 95 English Folk Songs: No. 5, Wassail Song02:42
- 10In the Stillness01:49
- 11Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Arr. C. Wood and M. Larkin for Choir & Organ)02:23
- 12A Virgin Most Pure (Arr. C. Wood for Choir)02:51
- 13Hodie, Christus natus est01:58
- 14Coventry Carol (Arr. M. Shaw for Choir)02:07
- 15Ave Maria (Version for 2 Mixed Choirs)06:53
- 16My Dancing Day (Arr. B. Chilcott for Choir)01:54
- 17Silent Night (Arr. S. Chinsen for Choir & Organ)03:08
- 18The First Nowell (Arr. P. Halley and J. Stainer for Choir & Organ)05:38
Info for The First Nowell: Christmas Carols Through the Ages
The Christmas carol has its origins in the Middle Ages but it has since embraced a wide variety of musical backgrounds. In this album, religious sentiment is set in many different contexts – from the mystery plays to an African American spiritual, from its origins in Gregorian Chant and 16th-century secular dance to traditional examples rooted in poetry. Some of the most famous and beautiful examples are heard alongside energising contemporary carols to present a tapestry of the genre across the centuries.
The Edison Singers
Noel Edison, direction
Dr. Noel Edison
is a versatile and charismatic conductor who has long been recognised as one of the leading choral conductors in Canada. As past artistic director and conductor of Canadian ensembles the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, The Elora Singers and the fully-professional Parish choir of St John’s Anglican Church Elora, and current artistic director and conductor of The Edison Singers, Edison is widely recognised for his skilful interpretive work with both choir and orchestra.
Dr. Edison is the recipient of numerous distinguished awards including the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Edison has produced over 26 recordings under the Naxos international label with his various choirs, and many of these recordings have earned nominations for both GRAMMY and JUNO awards.
Matthew Larkin
One of Canada’s leading liturgical musicians for many years, Matthew Larkin has served as director/associate director of music at a number of significant Canadian parishes, including St John’s Church, Victoria; St Matthew’s Church, Ottawa; St James Cathedral, Toronto; Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa and St Thomas’s Church, Toronto.
He attended the University of Toronto (as organ scholar of Trinity College), and the Royal College of Music (UK), with studies in organ performance, choral direction, conducting and composition. A Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Larkin is known worldwide as a recitalist, accompanist and recording artist, and is currently the artistic director of Caelis Academy Ensemble (which he founded in 2016), and custodian of music at St Andrew’s Church, Ottawa.
He maintains a full calendar of engagements, and divides his time between Ottawa and Toronto. Larkin has been featured on both the Naxos and ATMA Classique labels, and is represented by Domoney Artists.