Call Toll Free: (800) 451-5006

Be Merry: Celebrate Advent and Christmas with Gloriae Dei Cantores

Artist: Gloriæ Dei Cantores

View the CD Booklet Track Information

Description

Tracklisting/Sample Audio

Reviews

Editorials

Gloriae Dei Cantores offers a joyful Christmas gift! Paraclete Press is pleased to present the choir's new recording of Christmas music that everyone will love. Be Merry! Captures that wonder of Christmas - its joys, mysteries and sheer delight! Listeners can sing along as the choir shares new arrangements of familiar and beloved Christmas carols like "What Child is This?" and "Deck the Hall' with contributions from Gabriel V Brass and Extol Handbell Choir. The beautiful and festive 24-page booklet enhances each carol, providing a meaningful gift ensemble

Be Merry: Celebrate Advent and Christmas with Gloriae Dei Cantores
1	What Cheer?	Seagull Seven	3:46
2	Adam Lay Ybounden	Boris Ord	1:11
3	Noël Nouvelet	arr. John Rutter	2:49
4	Down in Yon Forest	arr. John Rutter	4:15
5	Today the Virgin	John Tavener	2:41
6	Gaudete	arr. Richard Lakey	3:01
7	Go, Tell It on the Mountain	arr. Cynthia Dobrinski	3:17
8	Patapan	Reginald Jacques	1:07
9	All this Time	William Walton	1:51
10	Immortal Babe, Who in Thine Own Way	David Campbell	2:11
11	Shepherd's Pipe Carol	arr. John Rutter	3:01
12	In a Humble Cattle Shed	Theodora Hall, arr. Seagull Seven	4:24
13	God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen	arr. Valerie W. Stephenson	3:18
14	What Child Is This?	arr. Seagull Seven	4:51
15	A Boy was Born	Benjamin Britten	2:26
16	My Dancing Day	Gerald Near	1:41
17	Joys Seven	arr. Stephen Cleobury	3:18
18	Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow	arr. Cynthia Dobrinski	3:22
19	Go, Tell It on the Mountain	arr. John Rutter	3:28
20	The Snow Lay on the Ground	arr. Beth P. McCoy	3:13
21	Ah, Bleak and Chill the Wintry Wind	from The Alfred Burt Carols	1:54
22	We'll Dress the House	from The Alfred Burt Carols	1:37
23	Caroling, Caroling	from The Alfred Burt Carols	1:14
24	Deck the Hall	arr. Seagull Seven	3:41
Total Time:			67:51

Product Reviews for Be Merry: Celebrate Advent and Christmas with Gloriae Dei Cantores

What a refreshing musical gift this is! Those familiar with Gloriae Dei Cantores singers know what a sterling ensemble they are; they deliver all the goods here. The colorful program is a mix of familiar and new settings of Advent and Christmas texts. Of particular interest are the creations of Seagull Seven. His "What Cheer?" begins with a rhythmic speech that gives way to alluring harmonies that ultimately morph into a joyous hilarity expressed in over 35 languages! Seagull Seven's jazzy arrangement of "Deck the Hall" really rocks! In these and all else the singers exude joy and cheer through artful, infectious performances that are immaculate and engaging. The rich warmth of tone is balanced by vibrancy and energy. The Extol Handbell choir is featured in three sparkling arrangements, demonstrating laudable skill in precise, balanced, sensitive performances. The program booklet presents brief musical background and texts in a creative, colorful, seasonal format. This is musical merriment that will bring great cheer at Christmastime - or any time!

The American Organist

October 2009

Be Merry! is a generous (over an hour!) release that covers 24 classical pieces with old-fashioned professionalism and contemporary flair. I have a strong personal preference for a capella stylings, and Be Merry! easily satisfies that need with many cuts of cleanly-delivered, sophisticated, unadorned choral presentations. Lovely! From time to time, the Gloriae Dei Cantores takes brief breaks to let the outstanding Extol Handbell Choir do its thing. (Go Tell it on the Mountain, God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen, Rise up Shepherd, and Follow); the mix nicely enhances the overall ambiance.
The liner note are themselves a holiday celebration. The pamphlet is remarkably long and detailed, yet colorful and fully accessible. Each track has its own page delivering the relevant lyrics and "back story," all provided with eye-popping graphics, photos, and swirls.
The album immediately grabs teh listener's attention with an unorthodox opening. What Cheer? begins with urgent whisperings ("Merry!", "Merry!"), and the rhythmic, a cappella vocalists gradually build into a cascading, multi-lingual "What Cheer!" Very nicely done! The second track is an impressive (albeit brief) rendition of Adam Lay Ybounden, a favorite of mine that appears only infrequently. From there, the offering smartly, spritely moves through a marvelous array of holiday selections, including an unusual - and fascinating - arrangement (by "Seagull Seven") of What Child is This?, a mysterious take that is somewhat dark and discordant.
Of all of the Gloriae Dei Artes Foundation releases before me in 2008, I suppose Be Merry! is the best, although the choice is a bit like picking out the best-loved child. Each one is legitimately wonderful. The organization stands for top-quality musical performances, and that commitment is well-evidenced in all of its releases. Be Merry! would be a superb addition to any classical music lover's seasonal collection. Enjoy, and BE MERRY!

Christmasreviews.com

Carol Swanson

We Also Recommend

Keeping Christmas: Beloved Carols and the Christmas Story

Gloriae Dei Cantores newest Christmas CD! The perfect music for decorating, spending time together as a family, going on a Christmas drive or creating an "at home" service, let the beloved carols and the retelling of the Christmas story bring you and your loved ones renewed hope and a fresh sense of wonder this year!

Our Price: $15.26

The Chants of Christmas

by: Gloriæ Dei Cantores Schola

Surround yourself with a sense of God's eternal love as you listen to the ancient melodies of Gregorian chant that celebrate Christ's birth.

Our Price: $15.26

This shopping cart employs the highest industry strength security: 256 bit SSL

Web & Print Design Services