Our Favorite Carols

The 12-member men's vocal group Chanticleer has the deserved reputation as one of the world's finest a cappella ensembles. A remarkably versatile group, Chanticleer has excelled in classical repertoire from the Renaissance to the 21st century, so it’s a real luxury when it turns its considerable talents to Christmas music. It had already released about a half-dozen albums or DVDs of Christmas and holiday music before this 2011 CD. The selections on this album are not new recordings, but were taken from live radio broadcasts over the years. There are traditional carols like "Silent Night" and "Good King Wenceslas," and some more obscure, like "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" and the Huron Carol, as well as some unfamiliar pieces. All the pieces, even those likely to be new to listeners, have a traditional celebrative holiday sound and the collection fits well together. One thing that makes this album stand out from the usual holiday choral fare is the quality of the arrangements. They are exceptionally sophisticated without being fancy or pretentious. The singers of Chanticleer deliver outstanding performances, notable for their sensuous tonal beauty and crisp precision. The sound of the tracks varies, with some probably from the pre-digital era, but it is always warm and clear and usually clean. Highly recommended for anyone looking for beautiful performances of high-quality choral Christmas music.