John Turner – Christmas Card Carols

“

This CD of Turner’s compositions is a pleasing, seasonal listen. Turner’s style is pleasantly melodic, though angular in places. Singers have to have their chromatic wits about them; the well-blended Intimate Voices directed by Christopher Stokes give effortless, fluent performances throughout. The CD is well recorded too.

” —Stuart Robinson

“

The carols combine gentle contemporary harmonies with stylistic touches redolent of the medieval and Renaissance periods. These warm, youthful voices are perfect for the music. If you’re in the market for some intimacy and charm this holiday season, look no further.

” —Philip Greenfield

“

The writing is very accessible and tonal, though occasionally he toys with the harmonies enough to remind you that he is, in fact, a contemporary composer. Turner has composed delicate and attractive music that is tuneful and that has the appropriate holiday glow about it. The performances are exquisitely lovely and the recorded sound is perfectly balanced, warm and natural… one of the holiday season’s nicest releases.

” —Henry Fogel

“

Turner’s style is tonal but interesting, lyrical with harmonic twists. He has a very personal style, and successfully avoids direct influence from the more major contemporary carol writers. A disc worth exploring.

” —Robert Hugill

“

The music has a bit of contemporary harmonic spice to liven up our holiday listening punch. Yet the music remains strikingly in the carol tradition. Anyone of Classical choral bent will find this album refreshing and substantial. Warmly recommended as a beautifully performed set of brand new yet ageless carols!

” —Grego Edwards

“

This has got to be one of the coolest things… by definition [the carols] are all short and definitely sweet. It’s like having high-quality carol singers round your house. It’s a delightful and atmospheric programme of Christmas music.

” —Jeremy Condliffe

“

Neat, undemonstrative and individual little carols that totally surpass their ‘closed circle’ origins.

” —Andrew Mellor

“

These works are very much in the English choral tradition and will provide a welcome alternative to the market cornered by the often overly sentimental works by John Rutter. Mr Turner’s take on well-known carols are fresh and interesting in their own right. This is a most lovely disc and a most welcome addition to the Christmas market and one that would grace anyone’s household over the festive season.

” —Paul R SW Jackson

“

Turner’s writing is tonal and accessible, but often nudges the boundaries of traditional harmony in gently intriguing ways. If you’re in the market for Christmas music and want something that departs delightfully from the norm, this album would make an excellent choice.

” —Rick Anderson

“

Those listeners who have been privileged to receive one of John Turner’s ‘Christmas Card Carols’ will find this new CD a delightful surprise. These imaginative carols are beautifully sung (and played). The purity of the vocal line is both astounding and moving.Turner’s musical style has captured the magic of the Season. He is a legend in his own lifetime… all these carols are lovely and sum up the joy of the Christmas-Tide.

” —John France