American Record Guide

When you see ‘Adam Lay yBounden!, ‘Lullay, my Liking, ‘Away In a Manger’ and ‘I Sing of a Maiden’ among the titles of a Christmas anthology, you figure you know what you’re in for. Not this time. Turns out that those carols and the 19 others included here are original works crafted by John Turner. One of Britain’s best recorder players, Turner has made the rounds with such ensembles as the Halle, Royal Liverpool, and English Chamber Orchestras, the English Baroque Soloists, the Academy of Ancient Music, David Munrow’s Early Music Consort and the ASMF. He has recorded the Brandenburgs five times and given the premiere performances of some 600 contemporary works for recorder—many of them composed with him in mind.

But Turner also composes and for years has been sending one original carol to his friends each Christmas. One of his colleagues (a former producer for the BBC) thought it was high time for these Christmas presents to be shared with all of us, and that turns out to have been a terrific idea. The carols combine gentle contemporary harmonies with stylistic touches redolent of the medieval and Renaissance periods. Turner has set them for recorder, harp, and an occasional oboe in support of a small complement of voices. (Intimate Voices is an SSATB solo quintet. They are joined by a third soprano from outside the group.) For all their homespun delicacy, the songs have been performed in cathedrals, minsters, and concert halls all over England. 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.
Notes, yes; texts, no.

—Philip Greenfield