Program in brief

Ave sanctorum Columba
Scottish chant, Inchcolm antiphoner, 13th century

Hailed as the “Hope of the Scots,” Saint Columba (6th century CE) was a patron saint of both Scotland and Ireland. Many miracles are attributed to him, including banishing a ferocious "water beast" (possibly the mythic Loch Ness Monster) to the depths of the River Ness. This chant praises Saint Columba as well as Saint Andrew, the main patron saint of Scotland. Sung in Latin.

Exultemus cum Maria
Eibhlis Farrell (b. 1953, Ireland)

Irish composer Eibhlis Farrell is strongly influenced by the music of the medieval and Baroque periods. The text for Exultemus cum Maria is found in the Black Book of Kilbroney, c. 900 CE. It is sung by two soprano “angels” with a celestial choir of heavenly voices. Sung in Latin.

Alleluia, laus et gloria
Tarik O’Regan (b. 1978, Ireland)

Irish composer Tarik O'Regan’s works draw from his dual Arab and Irish heritages. This exciting Alleluia flows forth at breathless speed, sweeping the listener along on a wild ride. Sung in Latin.

Suo Gân
Welsh traditional, arr. by Lance Wiliford

This well-known Welsh lullaby is a soothing and tender song. Listeners may recognize the melody, notably featured in the Steven Spielberg film Empire of the Sun. Sung in Welsh.

Ble rwyt t’in mynd
Welsh traditional, arr. by Jeffrey Jones-Ragona

This traditional song recounts how youngsters in Welsh villages would go to the woods to capture a wren, put it in a cage, and carry it from house to house to collect money for the annual Wren Dance. That said, it was not unheard of for the youngsters to retire to the nearest pub and drink up their profits. Sung in Welsh.

Wexford Carol
Irish traditional, arr. John Rutter (b. 1945)

Recorded by artists ranging from Alison Krauss and Yo-Yo Ma to Tom Jones and Rosanne Cash, Wexford Carol is an enduringly beloved carol from Enniscorthy in County Wexford. Sung in English.

Illuminare Jerusalem
Judith Weir (b. 1954, Scotland)

Composed for the choir of King's College, Cambridge, Judith Weir gives this 15th-century Scots text a setting that harkens back to the Middle Ages while also sounding uniquely fresh and new. Sung in Medieval Scots and Latin.

Invocation (from This Night)
John Muehleisen (b. 1955, US)

Northwest composer John Muehleisen sets an ancient Celtic Christian text from the Scottish Highlands: “God of the moon… sun…stars…” It describes the nativity in mystical images of nature, of light piercing darkness, and of grief being replaced by joy. Sung in English.

Christus vincit
James MacMillan (b. 1959, Scotland)

The creatively intertwined vocal lines of this work are embellished with Scottish composer James MacMillan’s signature Gaelic-influenced ornaments. Its heartstopping ending is punctuated by an ethereal high B sung by the soprano soloist. Sung in Latin.

Tàladh Chrìosda
Scottish traditional, arr. Sheena Phillips

Lullaby to the Christ Child is a traditional Gaelic lullaby from the small Isle of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. Sung in Scottish Gaelic.

A Spotless Rose
Paul Mealor (b. 1975, Wales)

Lush harmonies and soaring high vocal lines evoke the imagery of a rose opening in the coldest night of winter. Sung in English.

Magnificat
Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924, Ireland)

Stanford was one of the most influential musicians of his time. He was both a celebrated composer and the teacher of an entire generation of younger composers including Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams. A brilliant and harmonically-rich setting of the traditional Magnificat text, this exuberant work for double choir shows Stanford’s choral writing at its most masterful. Sung in Latin.

Ar Hyd y Nos
Welsh traditional, arr. Karen P. Thomas

All Through the Night is a Welsh song sung to a tune that was first printed in 1784. It has become one of the most beloved carols, and is very popular with Welsh choirs. Sung in Welsh.

Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil
Irish traditional, arr. David Mooney (b. 1964)

That night in Bethlehem is a traditional Irish carol, arranged as a lullaby by David Mooney of Sligo, Ireland. Sung in Irish Gaelic.

Cornish Wassail
Cornish traditional, arr. Karen P. Thomas

This is a wassailing ("be healthy") song from the Celtic nation of Cornwall in southwestern England. The tradition of wassailers going door to door, singing and drinking to the health of everyone they meet, goes back to pre-Christian fertility rites. Sung in English.

Hodie, Christus natus est
William Mathias (1934-1992, Wales)

Mathias’s piece is a fast and furious setting of the traditional This Day text, full of propulsive rhythms and unexpected twists. Sung in Latin.