The Choral Scholars is an internationally acclaimed chamber choir of gifted student singers led by founding Artistic Director, Dr. Desmond Earley, based at University College Dublin College of Arts & Humanities. Scholars come from various academic disciplines and commit to an intensive programme of choral study. Be all Merry is one of three new pieces especially composed for the Choral Scholars. This lively carol for choir, orchestra and violin by Irish composer Eoghan Desmond evokes the joyful play of Christmas in the lines ‘Be all merry in this house/Exultet celum laudibus!’. The recording contains a remarkable setting of the Advent plainsong hymn Christe Redemptor Omnium for tenor solo, chorus, violin and violoncello by IvoRead more Antognini, crafted for Choral Scholars with the kind support of the Swiss Embassy in Dublin. The Adoration of the Magi by American composer Timothy Stephens is a breathtaking setting of W. B. Yeats’ poetry. A beautiful Irish-language lullaby – Cró na Nollag – set by father and son, Adhamhnán and Uinseann Mac Domhnaill, and the much-loved Scottish tune simply titled Suantraí, are also included. The Irish Chamber Orchestra are also featured on a number of tracks including The Wexford Carol and Carol of the Bells. The choir closes the album with the song most associated with friendship, hope and the promise of a new year, Auld Lang Syne. The post-production phase of this recording project took place as the world grappled with the outbreak of COVID-19. American composer Linda Kachelmeier’s piece – We Toast the Days – serves as a reminder of the strength, love and hope that resonates throughout the world not simply at Christmastide but also during periods of hardship. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
In Dulci Jubiloby Matthew Culloton Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: Contemporary Written: United States
2.
Be All Merryby Eoghan Desmond Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: Contemporary Written: 2018; Ireland
3.
God rest ye merry, gentlemenby Traditional Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Written: England Notes: arr. John Høybye
4.
Curoo, Curooby Elaine Agnew Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: Contemporary Written: 2008; Ireland
5.
The Adoration of the Magiby Timothy Stephens Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: Contemporary Written: United States
6.
Suantraí ár Slánaitheoraby Fionntán Ó Cearbhaill Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: 20th Century Written: 1979; Ireland
7.
Wexford Carolby Traditional Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Written: Ireland Notes: arr. Desmond Earley
8.
O magnum mysteriumby Andrej Makor Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: Contemporary Written: Slovenia
9.
Christe, Redemptor Omniumby Ivo Antognini Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: Contemporary Written: 2018; Switzerland
10.
Cró na Nollagby Adhamhnán Mac Domhnaill Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Written: Ireland
11.
Carol of the Bellsby Mykola Leontovych Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: Modern Written: 1910; Ukraine Notes: arr. Desmond Earley
12.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmasby Hugh Martin Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: 20th Century Written: 1943; United States Notes: arr. Desmond Earley
13.
We Toast the Daysby Linda Kachelmeier Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: Contemporary Written: United States
14.
Auld Lang Syneby Traditional Conductor:
Desmond Earley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Irish Chamber Orchestra,
Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Period: Classical Written: Scotland Notes: arr. Desmond Earley
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: ( 1 Customer Review )
TERRIBLE!!!!January 6, 2021By William Renahan (Hughesville, MD)See All My Reviews"Ordered in early December but have never received CD"Report Abuse