Christmas in Medieval England

Christmas in Medieval England allows listeners to share the beauty, excitement, intensity, and variety found in a Blue Heron concert performance. The program includes plainchant, carols, and other music for Advent and Christmas from 15th c. England. It is comprised entirely of tracks recorded live at First Church in Cambridge, Congregational in December 2013. The appeal of this recording to fans of Blue Herons first disc (BHCD1001) containing music of 15th c. France should prove strong. Blue Heron took an atypically energetic approach to medieval sacred vocal works, which are often performed with an all too respectful and reserved detachment. From the antiphonal chants to the simple songs and hymns that filled out their well-balanced program Friday night at First Church in Cambridge, Blue Heron harnessed a lively sense of phrasing and perfectly suited dynamics that gave this repertoire a sense of e motional investment. (Boston Classical Review | Dec. 21, 2013)