Christmas Regifted

This new CD of festive music is being sold in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The Redbridge Youth Choir recorded a stunning Christmas LP back in 1980. These recordings, made in the church of St Alban the Martyr in London, have been digitally remastered and form the basis of this new CD. In October 2021, founder members of the Redbridge Youth Choir reformed to record some extra tracks for this CD. This was promoted by a desire to hear the original tracks in all their glory and also to honour a much-loved member of the choir who lost her struggle with cystic fibrosis in the summer of 2020. These new tracks were recorded in the beautiful surroundings of Brentwood Cathedral.

Redbridge Youth Choir, Redbridge Youth Choir Veterans Stephen King organ, Joanna Smith piano directed by Roderick Elms.

FULL TRACK LISTING Hark! the herald angels sing  Mendelssohn arr. David Willcocks Adam lay ybounden  Boris Ord God rest you merry, gentlemen  trad. arr. David Willcocks In the bleak mid-winter Harold Darke soloists: verse 1 - John Wallace treble, verse 2 - Timothy Everett baritone Torches  John Joubert It came upon the midnight clear  Sullivan arr. Roderick Elms soloist: verse 3 - Helen Richards mezzo-soprano Ding dong! merrily on high  16thC arr. Charles Wood O little town of Bethlehem  trad. arr. Philip Ledger; descant, Thomas Armstrong Christmas Day  Gustav Holst   soloists: Susan Stokes (mezzo-soprano), Karen Noble soprano     Madeleine Cuming contralto, Hilary Mabbitt mezzo-soprano Once in royal David’s city  Gauntlett harmonised A.H. Mann; arr. Philip Ledger soloist: verse 1 - John Wallace treble While shepherds watched  descant trad; last verse arr. Roderick Elms Away in a manger Kirkpatrick arr. Roderick Elms soloist: verse 2 - Laura Watson contralto Nativity Carol  John Rutter † soloist: Debbie Mittell soprano Sussex Carol  arr. Philip Ledger † Unto us is born a Son  arr. David Willcocks † The holly and the ivy  John Gardner † Somerset Wassail  arr. Hywel Davies † (first recording) I wonder as I wander  arr. Jonathan Venner † (first recording) soloist: Carole Bowerman See amid the winter's snow  arr. David Willcocks † New Year Carol  arr. Benjamin Britten † The First Nowell  arr. David Willcocks † Deck the hall  arr. Roderick Elms † Shepherd's Pipe Carol  John Rutter † Come all you worthy gentlemen (Somerset Carol) † arr. Roderick Elms † (first recording) O come, all ye faithful trad. arr. David Willcocks † recorded in October 2021 with Stephen King organ      Total  playing time: 77:02