William Vann, Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea - A Christmas Fantasia (2024)

A Christmas Fantasia is a collection of carols and fantasias written (mainly) by Ralph Vaughan Williams and his friends and former students. The exception is a new carol composed by the album's director, William Vann, setting a poem by Ivor Gurney.

The two most substantial works are Vaughan Williams's own 'Fantasia on Christmas Carols', which has never ceased to be popular since it was first produced in 1912, and Gustav Holst's 'Christmas Day', a 'choral fantasy on old carols' from 1910. There are shorter works by Holst himself and by Herbert Howells, John Ireland, Rebecca Clarke, Armstrong Gibbs, Gerald Finzi, Elizabeth Maconchy and William Vann.

William Vann conducts the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The choir regularly records for Albion Records and featured on two very successful earlier Christmas collections: ALBCD035 A Vaughan Williams Christmas, and ALBCD050 An Oxford Christmas.

The bass-baritone Ashley Riches contributes solos for the 'Fantasia on Christmas Carols' and two other works, while other solo voices are drawn from the choir. Organ accompaniment is provided as required by Jamie Andrews.

The songs in this collection present a picture of 'carols for choirs' from the early twentieth century up to 1961, when a book of that name began another revolution, and several of these carols were incorporated within it.

The conductor and pianist William Vann is recognised in particular for his acclaimed revivals of neglected works of British choral music and song and is Director of Music at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. His eight critically acclaimed recordings with the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea have included first recordings of works by Elgar, Holst and Vaughan Williams and his studio recordings of Parry's Judith and Prometheus Unbound have been awarded a host of accolades, including Gramophone's 'Recording of the Month'.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea has been since 1692 the home of the famous Chelsea Pensioners, who are retired soldiers of the British Army. The Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital is one of the finest professional church choirs in the UK, whose primary purpose is to sing at the Sunday morning Matins service in the Wren Chapel.

TRACKLIST

1. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - Christmas Now is Drawing Near at Hand
2. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - Here is the Little Door
3. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - The Blessed Son of God
4. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - The Holy Boy
5. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - There Is No Rose
6. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - Ave Maria
7. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - Christmas Hymn
8. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - Carol
9. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - While the Shepherds Were Watching
10. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - Wassail Song
11. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - The Brightness of This Day
12. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - No Sad Thought His Soul Afright
13. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - Christmas Day
14. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
15. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
16. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - On Christmas Day
17. Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea;William Vann - Fantasia on Christmas Carols