A Cavalier Christmas

Following on from  Music for Troubled Times, we present  a companion album of music for Christmas from the time of the English Civil War.
With A Cavalier Christmas, the choir are joined by the Chelys Consort of Viols in exploring this fascinating, yet turbulent, period in music as Charles I sought to continue to observe the festive season in style, contrary to attempts by England’s Puritan- influenced parliament to ban such celebrations.
 
Organ - David Pipe
Chelys Consort of Viols
Directed by Paul Gameson
 
REVIEWS
The programme was brilliantly executed and beautifully sung (The Sunday Times)
Fine singing and playing (The Times)
A fascinating disc, beautifully performed, and of very high quality. (Classic FM)
'[...] the best of the bunch [...] The Ebor Singers and the Chelys Consort of Viols combines fascinating repertoire with joyous, bustling musicianship' (Gramophone)
'What Christmas music was sung during the English Civil War period? The York-based Ebor Singers answer that question in this fine anthology' (BBC Music Magazine)
'A surprise seasonal hit for me' (BBC Radio 3 Record Review)
'Orlando Gibbons’ anthem “See, see the Word is Incarnate” is magnificent, its severity offset by a sublime viol consort backing. Byrd’s unaccompanied “Behold I bring you glad tidings” is also beautiful. The instrumental numbers, immaculately played by the Chelys Consort of Viols, include a quirky work commemorating the 1644 Siege of Newark.' (The Arts Desk)
'Stuff Santa’s sack with lots of these. Anyone with taste – and not yearning for Christmas ‘standards’ – would love it. Peaceful, happy, positive, it’s all of these.'
(The York Press)
'In every way it is an outstanding release' (Yorkshire Post)
'It is always good to see imaginative themed releases such as this fascinating CD' (Lark Reviews)
'There are those who like to dress up in period costume and re-enact Civil War battles over a weekend and our conductor, Paul Gameson, is a musical historian, currently an associate lecturer at the University of York, leads the Ebor Singers along a similar path. [...] I am very glad to have heard it.' (Cross Rhythms)
'The choir makes a fine flexible sound, with clear young voices. An imaginative disc which offers different fare to the typical Christmas menu.' (Planet Hugill)