A Tudor Christmas delivers the spirit of the age

The liner notes for this release are very clear. This is NOT a historical recreation of a Christmas from the 1600s. Rather, it's sort of an impression of what one might have heard during the holidays in Tudor or Stuart England.

I can accept that premise. Christmas music as a separate genre really didn't develop until the Victorian Age. In the Renaissance, the music of the season was simply the sacred music written for Advent and Christmas.

What was heard in the courts and manor houses? Most likely popular music, performed by whatever musicians were on hand.

David Swinson uses that idea as his starting point. In this case, the musicians available are the eight-voice Trinity Boys Choir and the early music group L'Amonia Sonara.

The program consists of anthems and instrumental tunes related to the season (some only tangentially so).

William Byrd, Thomas Tallis, Anthony Holborne, and Orlando Gibbons are all represented. Marginally seasonal works include John Tavener's "in Nomine," Anthony Holborne's "Cradle Pavan," and John Dowland's "Mr. Henry Noel his Galliard."

The choir has a clear crystalline sound that is the essence of the British choral tradition. The ensemble blend is quite good, with excellent vocal control. The soloists have a nice, rounded tone that's never strident.

L'armonia Sonora provides variety, accompanying the choir with different instrumental combinations.

Both ensembles are small, and the performances quiet and intimate. Perhaps there never was a concert like this back in the day, but I don't think that matters.

I heard a collection of well-performed early music. And these performances seemed to come from an earlier age -- even if it was just in my imagination.

A Tudor Christmas
Trinity Boys Choir; David Swinson, director
L'armonia Sonora; Mieneke van der Velden, conductor
Rondeau ROP8002