Carols from Worcester Cathedral

Every Christmas, we pull out the seasonal CDs and, if we have time, the old vinyls. One of my favorite old vinyls resides in a very plain looking white cover. Carols from Worcester Cathedral looks as though it came from the bargain bin, produced by the Musical Heritage Society of Oakhurst, New Jersey, not a major record company. Cut into the vinyl is some of the richest Christmas music I have ever heard. It is at points very calm and at others lively and majestic.

Not only does the Choir of Worcester Cathedral perform several well-known carols, including "Silent Night," "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen" (not "Ye" as more commonly found), and "Away in a Manger," they also sing several less known pieces, such as "Past Three O'Clock" and "In the Bleak Midwinter." Several are subtitled place names: "Sussex Carol," "Somerset Carol," and "Hereford Carol." The selection and their arrangements are very English.

Voices and a grand church organ mix on Carols from Worcester Cathedral. From reading the cover notes, I guess that all the voices are male. Two trebles (boys) are credited with the alto and soprano parts. Listening to the carols, I still think I hear female voices. I hope women are allowed into this choir by now.

I bought Carols from Worcester Cathedral at Rose Records near the L tracks on Wabash in Chicago early in the 1980s. That was a great store. You will have trouble finding this album now. There is no Rose Records, and it is not on Amazon. A flea market, estate sale, or eBay might be you only hope.