1. Don oíche úd i mBeithil 2. Maria durch ein Dornwald ging 3. Nowell, tidings true there be come new 4. O Jesulein zart 5. A Nativity 6. Shchedryk (Hark How the Bells) 7. Balulalow 8. The River 9. Toi, le Cœur de la rose (L’enfant et les sortilèges) 10. Angelus ad virginem 11. Sancta Mater Gratiae/Dou Way Robin 12. Gaudete 13. The Darkest Midnight 14. The Waiting Sky 15. Det lisle bånet (The little child) 16. In dulci jubilo 17. Es ist ein Ros entsprungen 18. When the Earth Stands Still 19. Fusion |
Following the release of "Nuns & Roses" in 2017, the group did a series of Advent performances which they named after an ancient Irish carol, "The Darkest Midnight". The performances were so well received that Papagena decided to record a Christmas album.
Somm Recordings has audio for all the tracks available on their web site. This is beautiful stuff beautifully done. As I said, I might have liked a more contemporary playlist, but the record is not bereft of such. Listen to their take on Joni Mitchell's "River". It literally brought tears to my eyes. Other personal favorites include "Shchedryk (Hark How The Bells)", "Don oíche úd i mBeithil", and "O Jesulein zart". Still, I'd love to hear what they could do with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" or Low's "Just Like Christmas". Just sayin'. Wouldn't you?
"The Darkest Midnight", arrives domestically at Amazon US on November 16. Good to know, because The Papagena Singers have delivered something unique and sublime and overflowing with a very special kind of Christmas magic.