Be All Merry
In Dulci Jubilo – Matthew Culloton
Be All Merry – Eoghan Desmond
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen – arr. John Høybye
Curoo Curoo – Elaine Agnew
The Adoration of the Magi – Tim Stephens, orch. Desmond Earley
Suantraí – Fiontán Ó Cearbhaill
The Wexford Carol – arr. Desmond Earley
O Magnum Mysterium – Andrej Makor
Christe, Redemptor Omnium – Ivo Antognini
Cró na Nollag – Adhamhnán Mac Domhnaill
Carol of the Bells – Mykola Leontovych arr. D.Earley
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Hugh Martin arr. Desmond Earley
We Toast the Days – Linda Kachelmeier
Auld Lang Syne – arr. Desmond Earley
Be All Merry is one of three new pieces especially composed for the Choral Scholars. This lively carol for choir, orchestra and violin by Irish composer Eoghan Desmond evokes the joyful play of Christmas in the lines ‘Be all merry in this house/Exultet celum laudibus!’.
The recording contains a remarkable setting of the Advent plainsong hymn Christe Redemptor Omnium for tenor solo, chorus, violin and violoncello by Ivo Antognini, crafted for Choral Scholars with the kind support of the Swiss Embassy in Dublin.
The Adoration of the Magi by American composer Timothy Stephens is a breathtaking setting of W. B. Yeats’ poetry. A beautiful Irish-language lullaby – Cró na Nollag – set by father and son, Adhamhnán and Uinseann Mac Domhnaill, and the much-loved Scottish tune simply titled Suantraí, are also included.
The Irish Chamber Orchestra are also featured on a number of tracks including The Wexford Carol and Carol of the Bells. The choir closes the album with the song most associated with friendship, hope and the promise of a new year, Auld Lang Syne.
The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Desmond Early
