We will soon be preparing ourselves for the approach to Christmas, when we recall, reflect, and marvel at the gift God gave to humanity – himself in the flesh, Immanuel.
And, in excellent timing for this, our Cathedral Choir have released their first CD recording of music for Advent and Christmas – The Gift.
The project came about after the Choir sang on BBC Radio 4’s Easter Sunrise service this year. In a follow-up conversation between Dr Peter Litman (Cathedral Director of Music) and Andrew Earis (BBC R4 Producer and Director of Music at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London), Andrew complimented the choir on their broadcast and suggested that they recorded a disc to ‘preserve that moment in the life of the choir’. Dr Litman reports that he needed some convincing, but in hindsight, is really glad that it went ahead.
‘The Gift’ features both children and adult choristers of the 25 strong choir in our Cathedral, and includes music written for the choir by Ian Higginson, as well as former organ scholars Jack Oades (now Master of Music at St Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh) and more recently, Aaran Fleet. The recording also features a carol by ‘Manx Mother of Music’ and first organist at St German’s, Miss ML Wood, as well as all your seasonal favourites!
On the recordings, the organ was played by Aaran Fleet and Stuart Corrie, and the choir is directed by Dr Peter Litman.
‘The Gift’ can be purchased for £15.00 at the back of the Cathedral, MNH shops, the Cathedral website, or via music@cathedral.im** All profit from CD sales help support the choir.
The CD was produced by DAM Productions and was made possible with funding from Isle of Man Arts Council and The Elizabeth Clucas Trust.
Could this be your ideal stocking-filler Christmas present?
Listen to a couple of tasters here …
O come all ye faithful (a seasonal favourite)
Cold blows the Wind (by ‘Manx Mother of Music’ Miss ML Wood)
Conditor (by Aaran Fleet, Cathedral Organ Scholar 2025-26)
And you can hear more about recording the CD on the podcast of Judith Ley’s “At your Service” from last Sunday, including the experience of some of the choristers, and some more tasters of the carols.