A Christmas Fantasia

Albion, the record label of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society, has released around 50 albums since 2007, mostly of RVW himself. This disc is kind of a microcosm of that catalog—carols (and a few fantasias on carols) by Vaughan Williams, Gerald Finzi, John Ireland, Herbert Howells, and others. The hour-long program is calm and reverent, though the occasional appearance of the organ or a fine vocal soloist adds a little textural variety. As you’d expect from some of Britain’s finest composers, the craftsmanship is excellent. Most of these carols were written with church choirs and congregations in mind. Theology is prevalent and potent, but the “Wassail Song” sets that aside long enough to let us take a few swigs of ale. It’s a rather polite setting of a drinking song, but the bell-like writing for the sopranos is charming. Vann, the conductor, also composed a carol using an Ivor Gurney text, and it’s an elegant, intricate number that reflects several different styles in less than four minutes. Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols wraps things up with an extended medley of some more familiar carols. The sonics are clear and well balanced, and the singing impeccable.