02.12.2013
St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir Launch Christmas CD
St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir launched its new Christmas CD with a free concert on Friday evening, November 29. Christmas From Dublin is a beautiful collection of Christmas music from the men and boys’ choir of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.
In addition to popular favourites there are new arrangements of ‘The holly and the Ivy’, the traditional Irish ‘Wexford Carol’, and a haunting new carol for Epiphany ‘Star of the East’ from young composer – and member of the choir – Ernest Dines. Some of the carols feature brass in rousing fanfares and uplifting accompaniments, and the collection comes to a thrilling conclusion with ‘Hark! The herald angels sing’ in the unique version sung every Christmas in Saint Patrick’s to the tune of Handel’s ‘See the conqu’ring hero comes’ from ‘Judas Maccabeus.
Directed by Stuart Nicholson with David Leigh on organ the CD also features David Collins and Rick Cowan (trumpets), Bethan Watkeys (horn), Gavin Roche (trombone) and Francis Magee (tuba) as well as the acclaimed cathedral choir.
The cathedral was full for the launch concert and the audience was treated to some of the tracks from the CD along with a number of other songs. Dean Victor Stacey introduced the evening and thanked all involved in the production of the CD.
Choir master, Stuart Nicholson, suggested that the CD would make an excellent present. He pointed out that the choir members were sporting their new light blue cassocks which were paid for by the Friends of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Christmas From Dublin costs €10 and is available online via the cathedral website or from the cathedral shop. It will also be available to purchase on the night of the concert. For more details see: http://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/Christmas_from_Dublin.aspx