Notes and Editorial Reviews
A Waverly Consort Christmas: From East Anglia to Appalachia finds the Waverly Consort, as directed by Michael Jaffe, performing traditional carols and hymns from England and New England. The liner notes give fascinating historical details behind the songs, including replications of the original Olde Englishe texte. The music may be surprisingly foreign or ancient to some ears, but From East Anglia to Appalachia is an engaging and unusual holiday album that's worth hearing by any listener looking for an adventurous Christmas record.
-- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic.com
A Waverly Consort Christmas: From East Anglia to Appalachia finds the Waverly Consort, as directed by Michael Jaffe, performing traditional carols and hymns from England and New England. The liner notes give fascinating historical details behind the songs, including replications of the original Olde Englishe texte. The music may be surprisingly foreign or ancient to some ears, but From East Anglia to Appalachia is an engaging and unusual holiday album that's worth hearing by any listener looking for an adventurous Christmas record.
-- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
The Gloucester Wassail Song by Traditional
Performer:
Ben Freed (Banjo),
Tom Zajac (Pipe),
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
Rosamund Morley (Violone),
Lisa Gutkin (Fiddle),
Kathy Theil (Soprano),
Lawrence Lipnik (Countertenor),
Lawrence Lipnik (Baritone),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor),
John Olund (Tenor),
Rita Lilly (Soprano),
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
Michael Jaffee (Lute),
Michael Jaffee (Citole),
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 4 Minutes 9 Secs.
Language: English
2.
Gloria in excelsis by Robert Cowper
Performer:
Lawrence Lipnik (Countertenor),
Rita Lilly (Soprano),
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
John Olund (Tenor),
Kathy Theil (Soprano),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor),
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 3 Minutes 41 Secs.
Language: Latin
3.
Gabriel fram heven-king by Anonymous
Performer:
Rita Lilly (Soprano),
Michael Jaffee (Lute),
Kathy Theil (Soprano),
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano),
Rosamund Morley (Vielle),
Kay Jaffee (Harp),
Lawrence Lipnik (Psaltery)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Medieval
Written: circa 1290; England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 4 Minutes 54 Secs.
Language: English
4.
Campanis cum cymbalis/Honoremus dominam by Anonymous
Performer:
Kay Jaffee (Psaltery),
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
John Olund (Tenor),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Cymbals),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor),
Lawrence Lipnik (Baritone),
Lawrence Lipnik (Countertenor),
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano),
Kathy Theil (Soprano),
Rita Lilly (Soprano),
Lawrence Lipnik (Psaltery),
Kay Jaffee (Harp),
Michael Jaffee (Citole),
Rosamund Morley (Kamancha)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Medieval
Written: 14th Century; England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 3 Minutes 30 Secs.
Language: Latin
5.
Ave mundi rosa by Anonymous
Performer:
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
John Olund (Tenor),
Lawrence Lipnik (Baritone),
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 3 Minutes 8 Secs.
Language: Latin
6.
Verbum Patris hodie by Anonymous
Performer:
Lawrence Lipnik (Baritone),
John Olund (Tenor),
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
Michael Jaffee (Bells),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: 13th Century; Rouen, France
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 2 Minutes 11 Secs.
Language: Latin
7.
Bethlehem by William Billings
Performer:
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor),
John Olund (Tenor),
Lawrence Lipnik (Baritone),
Rita Lilly (Soprano),
Kathy Theil (Soprano),
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano),
Lawrence Lipnik (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Classical
Written: 1778/1779; USA
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 4 Minutes 32 Secs.
Language: English
8.
Exultation by Traditional
Performer:
Lisa Gutkin (Fiddle),
Ben Freed (Banjo),
Rosamund Morley (Violone),
Michael Jaffee (Guitar),
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
John Olund (Tenor),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor),
Lawrence Lipnik (Baritone),
Lawrence Lipnik (Countertenor),
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano),
Kathy Theil (Soprano),
Rita Lilly (Soprano)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 3 Minutes 14 Secs.
Language: English
9.
Star in the East by Traditional
Performer:
Kay Jaffee (Psaltery),
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
Rosamund Morley (Vielle),
Lisa Gutkin (Fiddle)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Language: English
Notes: This version of the "Star in the East" is a Kentucky song. It shares track and timing with the other version of "Star in the East" performed on this disc.
10.
Shiloh by William Billings
Performer:
Kathy Theil (Soprano),
Rita Lilly (Soprano),
Lawrence Lipnik (Baritone),
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
John Olund (Tenor),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor),
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano),
Lawrence Lipnik (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Classical
Written: by 1786; USA
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 2 Minutes 40 Secs.
Language: English
11.
Ther is no rose of swych vertu by Anonymous
Performer:
Rita Lilly (Soprano),
Tom Zajac (Alto Recorder),
Kay Jaffee (Tenor Recorder)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Medieval
Written: circa 1420; England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 3 Minutes 46 Secs.
Language: English
12.
Lully, lulla, thow littel tyne child "Coventry Carol" by Traditional
Performer:
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano),
Lawrence Lipnik (Countertenor),
Lawrence Lipnik (Baritone),
John Olund (Tenor),
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
Kay Jaffee (Bells),
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
Kathy Theil (Soprano),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor),
Rita Lilly (Soprano)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 3 Minutes 39 Secs.
Language: English
13.
The darkest midnight in December by Traditional
Performer:
Michael Jaffee (Guitar),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor),
Kay Jaffee (Harp),
Tom Zajac (Pipe),
Lisa Gutkin (Fiddle)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Written: Ireland
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 4 Minutes 24 Secs.
Language: English
14.
The Old Year now away is fled by Traditional
Performer:
Rosamund Morley (Bass Viola da gamba),
Kay Jaffee (Harp),
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 8 Minutes 28 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: "The Old Year now away is fled," "Greensleeves" and "Here we come" appear under a common title ("A 'Wassail' Suite") and share a track and timing.
15.
Greensleeves by Traditional
Performer:
Tom Zajac (Pipe),
Ben Freed (Banjo),
Lisa Gutkin (Fiddle),
Kay Jaffee (Harp),
Tom Zajac (Jew's Harp),
Michael Jaffee (Lute),
Rosamund Morley (Bass Viola da gamba)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Notes: This selection is a set of instrumental variations on the tune "Greensleeves." It shares a track and timing with "The Old Year now away is fled" and "Here We Come A-Wassailing."
16.
Here we come a-wassailing by Traditional
Performer:
Michael Jaffee (Guitar),
Rita Lilly (Soprano),
Katie Geissinger (Mezzo Soprano),
Lawrence Lipnik (Countertenor),
Timothy Leigh Evans (Tenor),
Lawrence Lipnik (Baritone),
John Shankweiler (Tenor),
John Olund (Tenor),
Joel Frederiksen (Bass Baritone),
Kathy Theil (Soprano),
Rosamund Morley (Violone),
Tom Zajac (Hurdy-gurdy),
Ben Freed (Banjo),
Lisa Gutkin (Fiddle)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Written: England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Language: English
Notes: This selection shares a track and timing with "The Old Year now away is fled" and "Greensleeves."
17.
This endere nyghth by Anonymous
Performer:
John Olund (Tenor),
Kay Jaffee (Tenor Recorder),
Rita Lilly (Soprano),
Tom Zajac (Bass Recorder)
Conductor:
Michael Jaffee
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Waverly Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: circa 1600; England
Date of Recording: 06/1994
Venue: Sommer Hall, Concordia College, NY
Length: 5 Minutes 6 Secs.
Language: English
Sound Samples
THE GLOUCESTER WASSAIL SONG
COWPER: GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
THER IS NO ROSE OF SWYCH VERTU
THIS ENDRIS NIGHT I SAW A SIGHT
LULLY, LULLA, THOW LITTEL TYNE CHILD (COVENTRY CAROL)
THE DARKEST MIDNIGHT IN DECEMBER
WASSAIL SUITE: GREENSLEEVES, HERE WE COME AWASSAILING
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 2 Customer Reviews )
Beautiful Christmas Music December 13, 2012
By Debbie K. (Greenville, SC) See All My Reviews
"The Waverly Consort Christmas album includes some lovely choices of music, sung and played with a beautiful tone. Thoroughly enjoyable"
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The real thing November 28, 2011
By Peter N. (Guilford, CT) See All My Reviews
"If you want, beautiful, melodic, real Christmas music buy ANY of Waverly Consort's Christmas albums. This is one of my favs. None of your friends will have it, so buy a few for gifts. We've given it many times and people are always blown way. It's just incredible and I couldn't imagine Christmas without it."
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