Here is a new Christmas recording with something for everyone old or young, traditional or modernist, classical or romantic. Scenes of an Irish Christmas features a selection of seasonal favourites which evoke memories of a traditional Christmas in Ireland: the special atmosphere of midnight ceremonies, the candle in the window to welcome the Holy Family, a fireside gathering of family and friends to share a festive drink, children's eager anticipation of Christmas morning.
The music is conducted by Blánaid Murphy the well-known conductor of the Faith of Our Fathers CDs and sung by the RTÉ children's choir Cór na nÓg RTÉ, showcasing boy soprano Macdara Ó Seireadáin together with the Chamber Choir Canzona. The recording also features the organist Paul McKeever, the Irish Brass Consort and harpist Andreja Malir.
Traditional tunes are presented in fresh and exciting arrangements written specially for the album, bringing a new dimension to well-known carols and hymns, the familiar melodies accompanied by unfamiliar yet beautiful and compelling harmonies. The moods range from the triumphant Adeste Fideles to the poignant simplicity of the Irish setting of Don Oíche úd i mBeithil for boy soprano and harp, and the serene mysticism of John Tavener's The Lamb, the low bass notes giving it a Greek Orthodox feel, Jingle Bells which, in its sparkling new arrangement, brilliantly conveys the excitement of a sleigh ride in a frosty landscape, will be a particular favourite with the children as will Howard Blake's popular song from The Snowman.
As this is an Irish Christmas album, special effort has been made to present carols sung in Ireland. The Wexford Carol shares the tradition which lives on in Kylemore Quay, where generations of the Devereux family have brought ancient carols such as Jerusalem my Happy Home safely through the years. Another Irish carol is the beautiful lullaby Rug Mhuire Mac do Dhia in an atmospheric setting for women and boy soprano.
The children's choir and boy soloist with traditional Irish Harp accompaniment are a charming feature of the recording; the Irish Brass Consort plays wonderfully exuberant fanfares which, again, were specially arranged for this recording and the whole choir's evident enjoyment of their singing is particularly infectious, greatly enhancing our listening pleasure.
This uplifting recording is guaranteed to send anyone's Christmas spirits soaring!