In Winter's Arms - Bob Chilcott refreshes a classic

There's something about choral music written by a chorister. It's usually performer-friendly, and often listener-friendly as well. That doesn't necessarily mean it's overly simple or cliched. It just means the music is well-suited to the strengths of the ensemble.

That was my impression of "In Winter's Arms." British composer Bob Chilcott has enjoyed an amazing career, spanning decades. He was in the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, both as a boy and as a university student.

He spent 12 years with the King's Singers. As a composer, Chilcott mostly sticks to choral music. But it's a field he knows intimately.

There's a lot of the English choral tradition in these work. They also passing stylistic resemblance to works of John Rutter (who comes from a similar background). But make no mistake. Chilcott is a composer with his own voice and is often more progressive than Rutter.

"Wenceslas" is a major choral work based on the legend of St. Wenceslas. It often references the famous carol obliquely, building a beautiful edifice out of a slender foundation. Particularly striking is the movement "Thank you." Its, simple heartfelt melody and understated orchestration are just gorgeous.

"My Perfect Stranger" presents a more oblique look at the Christmas story. Chilcott's setting for choir and harp uses extended harmonies and shifting rhythms. The work has an ethereal and slightly mysterious aura that serves Keven Crossly-Holland's text well.

Also included is Chilcott's joyous Gloria for choir, brass, tympani, and organ. Now, this is a work I'd like to hear more often in Christmas services! 

Choralis, directed by Gretchen Kuhrmann perform with feeling and precision. Chilcott knows how to write for choirs, and Choiralis knows how to get everything out of the music. If you like John Rutter, you should enjoy this release. If you're not, it's still worth a listen. Chilcott brings new perspectives to age-old holiday traditions.

In Winter's Arms
Seasonal Music by Bob Chilcott
Choralis; Gretchen Kuhrmann, director
Signum Classics SIGCD512