The best new Christmas classical recordings released in 2021
An Elizabethan Christmas
Fretwork, Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano)
Signum Classics SIGCD680
Viol consort Fretwork and mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston explore the more sombre, reflective Christmases that our Elizabethan ancestors would have experienced.
Christmas Carols with The King's Singers
Signum Classics SIGCD683
You had me at ‘The King’s Singers’. What’s not to love? It’s a typically varied programme which reaches across the decades, performed with pitch-perfect vivacity and no small amount of joy. Very glad tidings.
Review by Michael Beek.
In the Bleak Midwinter - Christmas Carols from King's
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge/Daniel Hyde, Matthew Martin (organ)
King's College KGS0060
Release date: 5 November 2021
Vaughan Williams: An Oxford Christmas
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital/William Vann, Joshua Ryan (organ)
Albion ALBCD050
This beautiful disc features Vaughan Williams' arrangements of the Oxford Book of Carols. '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,' the liner notes tell us. That is why conductor William Vann has curated a programme of carols featuring a judicious mix of solo, unaccompanied and accompanied passages.
Carol of the Bells (Leontovich, Rodney Bennett, Eric Whitacre, Bob Chilcott et al)
The Sixteen/Harry Christophers, Alexandra Kidgell, Edward McMullan, Mark Dobell, Robert Macdonald, Ben Davies, Rob Macdonald, Katy Hill, Tim Jones, Charlotte Mobbs, George Pooley
Coro COR16188
Release date: 1 October 2021
The Knights Before Christmas (Carols/Trad Songs)
The Knights (chamber orchestra)
Bright Shiny Things BSTC-0159
Release date: 29 October 2021
A Belfast Christmas
Belfast Cathedral Choir/Matthew Owens
Resonus RES10292
Release date: 29 October 2021
Christmas Bells - Organ Music from Belfast Cathedral
Resonus RES10293
Winter Tales (Works by Brian Eno, Vikingur Olafsson, Peter Gregson, Hania Rani et al)
DG 486 1504
Release date: 5 November 2021
A Medieval Christmas – Hodie Christus Natus Est
The Boston Camerata/Anne Azéma
HMM905339
Release date: 29 October 2021
100 Christmas Meditation (5CD)
Wiener Sängerknaben
Capriccio C7371
Release date: 8 October 2021
Click through for our round-up of the best Christmas classical recordings of all time.
