Nativity: Christmas Music from Georgian England (English Orpheus 49)

Featuring

Peter Holman
Luke Green
Claire Tomlin
Timothy Kenworthy-Brown
Patrick McCarthy
Philippa Hyde

Julian Perkins
Psalmody
The Parley of Instruments
John Fawcett (of Bolton)
Joseph Stephenson
William Marsh
John Hill (of Rugby)
Thomas Oliver
Benjamin Cooke
Thomas Adams
Joseph Key
Richard Taylor (of Chester)
Thomas Tremain
Anonymous (18th century)
William Matthews (of Nottingham)
Lowell Mason
Anonymous (Christmas)
John Wainwright
Stephen Storace

Did you know?

1/7

Compositional Technique

Early psalmody groups often sang unaccompanied, using a lively and idiosyncratic repertory of 'fuguing tunes' that alternated homophonic and contrapuntal sections.

Recording & Production

The organ used in this recording was made in 1789 by Hugh Russell of London and has been restored to a virtually original condition.

Interpretation

The performers have imagined the accompaniment of some pieces by wind bands drawn from local militias, as there is evidence this occurred in provincial choirs.

Historical Context

This album features 'gallery' music, a term for the repertory performed by amateurs in parish churches and nonconformist chapels during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Composer Biography

Many provincial composers, such as Joseph Key (an excise officer) and Joseph Stephenson (a chapel clerk), were artisans who provided music for local groups.

Performer Biography

The Parley of Instruments, founded in 1979, is known for its trail-blazing work in 18th-century English music and has made over sixty broadcasts for BBC Radio 3.

Historical Context

Christmas celebrations were low-key in early 18th-century England, with 'While shepherds watched their flocks by night' being the only seasonal hymn authorized by the Church of England.