Advent at Merton Choir of Merton College, Oxford, Benjamin Nicholas, Peter Philips

• Matthew Martin (1976):
• 1 Ecce concipies 02:10
• David Blackwell (1919 - 2010):
• 2 Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming (Es ist ein Ros entsprungen) (arr. D. Blackwell) 03:26
• William Byrd (1543 - 1623):
• 3 Rorate coeli 04:13
• James MacMillan (1959):
• 4 Advent Antiphon 04:13
• Judith Weir (1954):
• 5 Drop Down, Ye Heavens, from Above 01:47
• Michael Praetorius (1571 - 1621):
• 6 Hymnus in adventu domini: Alvus tumescit virginis 01:49
• Howard Skempton (1947):
• 7 7 Advent Antiphons: No. 1. O Sapientia (H. Skempton) 01:24
• John Tavener (1944 - 2013):
• 8 7 Advent Antiphons: No. 2. O Adonai (J. Tavener) 01:20
• Rihards Dubra (1964):
• 9 7 Advent Antiphons: No. 3. O Radix Jesse (R. Dubra) 02:25
• Gabriel Jackson (1921):
• 10 7 Advent Antiphons: No. 4. O Clavis David (G. Jackson) 03:36
• Cecilia McDowall (1951):
• 11 7 Advent Antiphons: No. 5. O Oriens (C. McDowall) 04:26
• Matthew Martin (1976):
• 12 7 Advent Antiphons: No. 6. O Rex Gentium (M. Martin) 03:45
• Ēriks Ešenvalds (1977):
• 13 7 Advent Antiphons: No. 7. O Emmanuel (E. Esenvalds) 02:29
• Anton Heiller (1923 - 1979):
• 14 Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen 03:18
• William Byrd (1923 - 1979):
• 15 Ecce virgo concipiet 01:35
• Michael Praetorius (1571 - 1621):
• 16 Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (arr. J. Sandstrom) 04:29
• Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548 - 1611):
• 17 Ave Maria 04:17
• James MacMillan (1959):
• 18 The Strathclyde Motets: O Radiant Dawn 03:59
• Total Runtime 54:41

Info for Advent at Merton

The beginning of Advent is celebrated with a particular solemnity at Merton. For its second recording the college choir explores the musical riches that adorn this most special time in the church’s year, centring on a newly commissioned sequence of Magnificat antiphons from seven leading composers. Founded in 2008, the new Choir of Merton College, Oxford is led by newly appointed Organist and full-time Director of Music Benjamin Nicholas, and Reed Rubin Director of Music Peter Philips. The choir is rapidly emerging as a major force in collegiate choral music. The disc is recorded in the beautiful environs of Merton College Chapel, which has stood at the heart of the College as a place of worship for almost 750 years.

“At the heart of this Advent service is a set of seven antiphons specially commissioned from seven composers for Merton College chapel. They work splendidly as a sequence...Peter Phillips and Benjamin Nicholas elicit high levels of technical and expressive achievement from their student charges.” (BBC Music Magazine)

“The most notable chapel choir offering [this Christmas]...All the music is radiant, all of it is unexpected, including a set of seven Advent antiphons commissioned by the chaplain...and comes from a choir that's gone from being a minor player in Oxbridge choral music to becoming one of the most exciting groups in its area” (Gramophone Magazine)

“The singing is fresh and opulent, and delivered with a clarity and precision that sits pleasingly with the resonant ambience of the recordings.” (The Scotsman)

“an absorbing programme including seven Advent Antiphons commissioned for the choir by the Revd Dr. Simon Jones … The quality of the singing throughout is very high – this is an immensely accomplished and responsive mixed-voice choir … This disc is an impressive achievement in every way … Delphian’s recorded sound is beautiful.” (International Record Review)

Anna Steppler, organ
Choir of Merton College, Oxford
Benjamin Nicholas, director
Peter Phillip, director

No biography found.

This album contains no booklet.