Track Listing

1. In Dulci Jubilo
2. Adam Lay Ybounden
3. Christmas Night
4. Once, as I Remember
5. A Spotless Rose
6. In the Bleak Midwinter
7. There Is a Flower
8. The Cherry Tree Carol
9. I Wonder as I Wander
10. Candlelight Carol
11. O Tannenbaum
12. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
13. A Virgin Most Pure
14. I Sing of a Maiden
15. Lute-Book Lullaby
16. The Three Kings
17. Myn Lyking
18. O Little One Sweet
19. All My Heart This Night Rejoices
20. I Saw a Maiden
21. Away in a Manger
22. Nativity Carol

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2730 in Music
• Brand: Cambridge
• Released on: 1993-01-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Album Description
An incredible collection of 22 carols, old and new, including I Wonder As I Wander, Away In A Manger, O Tannenbaum, and In Dulci Jubilo. "In the field of choral Christmas CDs, Christmas Night shines brightest of all." David Vernier – Classics Today

Amazon.com
"The theme of this album is the birth of Christ, reflected in the words and music of 22 carols spanning more than six centuries." This description might also say that the program contains some of the best and best-loved Christmas choral pieces of all time, presented in a pleasing mix of familiar carols and lesser-known original works. Among the best-known selections are Darke's "In the bleak mid-winter" and Howells's "A spotless rose." Several original pieces by John Rutter appear here for the first time--"Christmas Night," "There is a flower," and "Nativity Carol." Other notable highlights are Peter Cornelius's "The three kings" and the lively Willcocks arrangement of "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day." Of course, the singing is among the best on the planet--in fact, there may even be a few heavenly angels in the soprano section. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews

Rutter and The Cambridge Singers definitive Chritmas album.
Of all the myriad Christmas albums available, this gem stands out as one of the finest. The Cambridge Singers cement their place as one of the world's finest choral groups and John Rutter's beautifully written Christmas music truly captures the meaning and wonder of the season. If you had to own only one Christmas abum, this would be a wonderful choice.

The recording is warm and reverberant, with good depth and space, marred only by a certain amount of vocal siblance. The best recorded of all the Rutter Christmas albums to date. I cannot recommend the disc highly enough.

An absolutely HEAVENLY Christmas CD
Of the 4 John Rutter/Cambridge Singers Christmas CD's that I own, this is my favorite, although they are all unspeakably lovely. I think it is the tone of the entire CD that makes it so special. It posesses a quality of tranquility and peace that I personally find mesmerizing and ethereal. Although only 3 of the carols could be considered familiar in both lyric and melody, (there are 22 carols in all) they are all beautiful. The texts and melodies range in age from 14th century to the present day. Some have ancient texts/new melodies, and some are the reverse. Most have a lullaby quality which is very calming and hypnotic, but never boring. The entire effect is haunting and almost other-worldly. One of the nicest things about this CD (practically speaking) is that each carol is not only written out in full text in the front booklet insert, but a brief description of its history is given (composer, arranger, national origin, age of both text and melody). Interesting facts are included as well. I feel that this selection's universal appeal transcends stylistic preferences that might divide many. It is impossible to listen to "Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity" without being captivated by it.

Breathtakingly beautiful --an absolute must buy.
I have owned this CD for three Christmas seasons now, and never tire of it. If you love traditional music, this will open your ears to so many new (and very old) tunes. John Rutter is a masterful conductor, and his original compositions are among the most uplifting on this disc. If you buy no other new Christmas CD, BUY THIS ONE. You will fall in love with every gorgous melody, as my entire family has. The words to each are included -- and some bring tears to your eyes. Times have changed, but love for the meaning of Christ's birth and expressions of that love, awe and wonder, have not.