Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
An Oxford Christmas
Arrangements from The Oxford Book of Carols
Joshua Ryan (organ)
Choir of the Chapel of the Royal Hospital Chelsea/William Vann
rec. 2020/21, St. Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London
Texts included
Albion Records ALBCD050 [68]

In his 2021 review, John Quinn supplied a detailed background to, and assessment of, this fine recording. He commented on the carols and gave his opinion on performances. I will not offer a detailed commentary.

The programme majors on a selection from The Oxford Book of Carols (OBC) published in 1928. The volume was edited textually by the Anglican High Church priest, Christian socialist and liturgist Percy Dearmer, and musically by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Martin Shaw. Four of the carols had original tunes by RVW, and he arranged numerous others. At that time, the book was seen as crucial in the revival of plainchant and folksong. With its more than two hundred numbers, it was a companion to the exceptional English Hymnal. Hidden among these carols lie many undiscovered gems, which demand a fresh audience. The advertising flyer suspects that ten out of the twenty-two tracks are making their debut recordings on the disc.

The OBC contains a valuable preface, more than twenty pages: the lore, the history of the carol as genre and a dissertation on their use. Footnotes to many numbers often give details about text and tune. The preface lays out the overarching ethos of performance: “Variety in the method of singing is even more important than with hymns, and the verses should never be sung straight through all in the same way.” To this end, William Vann and the choir perform these carols with a mixture of accompanied, unaccompanied and solo verses. I consider this a masterclass in sensitive performance, precise diction and excellent balance. I agree with John Quinn that “there isn’t a dud among them”.

The performers are no strangers to Albion Records. Recent contributions include Carols from Herefordshire (ALBCD064) and A Christmas Fantasia: Carols and Fantasies (ALBCD063). In 2019, A Vaughan Williams Christmas was released (ALBCD035, review).

The booklet includes Jeremy Summerley’s valuable introduction to the OBC. John Francis supplies the detailed notes on each carol. All texts are included. The CD cover features a picture of the Coming of the Magi from the ceiling of St. Jude’s Church, painted by Walter Starmer between 1909 and 1935. There are details on the choir and their director.

At first, I wondered why the four carols with original RVW tunes were not included. I realised that they were included in A Vaughan Williams Christmas. Two other carols, not in the OBC, are O My Dear Heart God from 1943 and Bless the Master of This House published in 1946.

It is fair to assume that no congregation or wassailers in the street may ever sing many of these carols. For a fine rendition, they require a body of trained singers. And let us not forget organist Joshua Ryan: he participates faithfully in about half of these carols.

This is an enjoyable account of (mainly) Christmas carols, old favourites in new guises and some hidden gems.

John France

Previous review: John Quinn (October 2021)

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Contents
Sussex Mummers’ Carol
Hereford Carol
Solo: Tom Castle
A Virgin Most Pure
Solo: Eloise Irving
Sussex Carol (Second Tune)
Solo: Angus McPhee
Gloucestershire Wassail
Solos: Leah Jackson, Jonathan Hanley
The Salutation Carol
Solos: Eloise Irving, Jonathan Beatty
The Bellman’s Song (Third Tune)
Solo: Angus McPhee
Job (Come All You Worthy Christian Men – Third Tune)
This Endris Night
Solo: Angus McPhee
Sussex Carol (First Tune)
Coverdale’s Carol
Song of the Crib
Solos: Katy Hill, Jonathan Hanley, Adrian Horsewood
Children’s Song of the Nativity
Solo: Katy Hill
If Ye Would Hear the Angels Sing
Solo: Katy Hill
Quem Pastores – Shepherds Left Their Flocks A-Straying
The Bellman’s Song (Second Tune)
Solo: Eleanor Minney
Joseph and Mary
Solo: Thomas Stoddart
Job (Come All You Worthy Christian Men – Fourth Tune)
The Seven Virgins
Solos: Jenni Harper and Jonathan Hanley
Psalm of Sion
Solo: Katy Hill
O My Dear Heart
God Bless the Master of This House