Music Review – Christmas in Harvard Square



This Thanksgiving weekend I have been listening to the dulcet and ethereal soprano voices of the Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School on their new album, Christmas in Harvard Square. The only Catholic choir school for boys of its kind in the United States, the Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its school, which coincides with the Nativity of Christ.  The choir, which has performed at Carnegie Hall and in St. Peter’s Square at a papal audience with Pope Francis, has been under the direction of John Robinson, who hails from the U.K. and came up in the boys choir schools in Cambridge, U.K.

The 19-track album, which runs 61: 04 minutes, contains both traditional and contemporary arrangements, including some original arrangements by John Robinson, director of music and at the Choir School and the parish of St. Paul. The album features such traditional favorites as: O Come All Ye Faithful, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, In the Bleak of Midwinter, and Angels We Have Heard, which are all brilliantly performed. I particularly enjoyed Ding Dong Merrily on High, which is a very spirited song, emanating exceptional joy. A Maiden Most Gentle is a beautiful song which conveys ardent devotion for the Mother of God. In fact, there are number of hymns dedicated to the Blessed Mother. For those who enjoy Latin hymns, the album includes: O Magnum Mysterium, Omnes De Saba Venient, Puer Natus Est, and Dominus Dixit.

Overall, I found this album to be very beautiful, inspirational, and spiritual uplifting. I have never heard a Catholic boys’ choir sing in such an accomplished manner before and was very impressed with the outstanding voices of this choir. To say they are great is truly an understatement.  This is a Christmas album I highly recommend for all music lovers.

The album is now available via AimHigher Recordings -- the sister label of De Montfort Music.

-

Comments

Post a Comment

Comments are moderated and are published at the blogger's discretion.

Blog Archive

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

The Spirituality and Miracles of St. Clare of Assisi

Image
August 11 is the memorial of St. Clare, one of my favorite saints. She was the first woman to follow the life of radical poverty practiced by St. Francis of Assisi and is the co-founder of the Poor Clares. Although I am not a Franciscan, I have had Franciscan friends, clergy, and spiritual directors instruct me on the beauty of St. Clare's spirituality. I have also learned a great deal from reading about her over the years. Clare and Francis (2007) is a film which depicts the fascinating story of her dramatic conversion and surrender to the will of God. St. Clare is the patron saint of television. She is also the patron of eye disorders, embroiderers, good weather, and telephones. The Contemplative Life The Lady Clare was born into a noble family in Assisi in 1193 and was admired for her great beauty. When she heard Francis of Assisi preach his Lenten homilies at the Church of San Giorgio, she was captivated by his words. At age eighteen, she heard him say: "When the
Read more

Saint Michael de Sanctis: Patron of Cancer Patients

Image
Today is the feast of Saint Michael de Sanctis, also known as St. Michael of the Saints, a Spanish Discalced Trinitarian priest, the patron of cancer patients. Michael Argemir was born on September 29, 1591 at Vic, Catalonia, Spain. At age 6, he told his parents that he planned to become a monk and began modeling his life after Saint Francis of Assisi. Michael’s parents died when he was about ten years old. He then served as an apprentice with a local merchant. During this apprenticeship, he continued his fervent devotion to the Lord, especially to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the age of 12, he joined the Trinitarian Friars at Barcelona, taking his vows at St. Lambert’s monastery in Saragosa four years later.  Shortly afterwards, Michael expressed a desire to join the reformed group of Trinitarians and was given permission to do so. He went to the Novitiate at Madrid and, after studies at Seville and Salamanca, he was ordained a priest. Twice he served as Superior of the hou
Read more

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Patron of Expectant Mothers, Midwives, and Newborn Babies

Image
The saint of the day for August 31 is St. Raymond Nonnatus. He is the patron of expectant mothers, midwives, obstetricians, infertile couples, and newborn babies. Raymond was born at Portella, Catalonia, Spain in 1204, the son of wealthy parents. He was delivered by cesarean section when his mother died in childbirth. Hence his name non natus (not born). In his childhood, he seemed to find pleasure only in his devotions and serious duties. His father, sensing that Raymond was drawn to religious life, ordered him to manage one of the family farms. Raymond readily obeyed but spent his time with the shepherds and workers, studying and praying until his father abandoned the idea of making his son a worldly success. Raymond later joined the the Order of Our Lady of Mercy or the Mercederians, which was founded by St. Peter Nolasco, who devoted to ransoming Christians captured by the Moors. He succeeded Peter as chief ransomer and went to Algeria to ransom slaves. He remained as hosta
Read more