A Carol Symphony Hely-Hutchinson’s best-known work is composed in four movements. The first Adeste Fideles is arranged in the form of a Bach Chorale with brass taking the Vocal lines and Strings skittering underneath. The second movement gives God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’s minor tonalities a Russian feel. The third uses the Coventry Carol and The First Nowell as its base with particularly haunting harp theme. In the final movement Here We Come A-Wassailling appears as well as a fugal rendering of Adeste Fideles. Victor Hely-Hutchinson was a child prodigy who went on to have a successful career as a conductor pianist and accompanist as well as a composer and wasmostly known for his works on the theme of Christmas melodies and his settings of children’s nursery rhymes.

Joseph Martin and the creative team that brought you The Winter Rose and Journey of Promises now present their latest major work The Voices of Christmas. Using beloved carols and new anthems especiallycomposed for the cantata the story of Christmas unfolds through the “voices” of witnesses (narration) and is echoed in the voices of the choir as they sing the good news of the Savior's birth. Beautiful orchestrationsby Brant Adams are available as well as a full menu of companion products and support material. Familiar carol melodies abound: The First Noel • The Gallery Carol • St. Denio • O Come O Come Emmanuel • GodRest Ye Merry Gentleman • Masters in this Hall • Adeste Fideles • Still Still Still • In Dulci Jubilo – making this joyful cantata a splendid choice for your holiday programming.