The Christmas Revels

$13.99
Label
Revels Records
Release Date
October 1, 1978
Format
Added to Cart! View cart or continue shopping.


    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      TRADITIONAL
    • PERFORMER
      The Christmas Revels
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      October 01, 1978
    • UPC
      738871107824
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      REVCD1078
    • LABEL
      Revels Records
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Christmas / Chanukkah
    Works ⌄

    1. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance

      Composer: Traditional

      Performer: Lesle Kulbach

    2. Room's Opening Lines

      Performer: Henry Chapin

    3. Wassail Carol

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus, Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble

      Conductor: Frank Epstein

    4. Father Christmas Verse

      Composer: na Not Applicable

      Performer: Robert J. Lurtsema

    5. The Boar's Head Carol

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus, Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble

      Performer: John Langstaff, Frank Epstein

    6. Constant Billy

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Muddy River Morris Team

      Performer: Marshall Barron

    7. Here We Come A-Wassailing

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Children's Chorus

      Performer: Lesle Kulbach

    8. Villagers All!

      Ensemble: The Christmas Revels

    9. There Was A Pig Went Out to Dig

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Children's Chorus

    10. The Monks' March

      Composer: Traditional

      Performer: John Fleagle, Janet Fuchs, Hildur Colot

    11. Dargason

      Composer: Traditional

      Performer: Jerome Epstein, Marshall Barron

    12. Fra Giovanni

      Performer: Robert J. Lurtsema

    13. The Holly and the Ivy

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus

    14. Fool's Verse

      Composer: na Not Applicable

      Performer: Henry Chapin

    15. Lord of the Dance

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus, Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble

      Performer: Frank Epstein

    16. Brass Fanfare

      Composer: Claudio Monteverdi

      Ensemble: Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble

      Performer: Frank Epstein

    17. Masters in this Hall

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus

    18. Shakespeare Lines

      Performer: Robert J. Lurtsema

    19. Nova! Nova!

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus

      Performer: John Fleagle, Robin Howard

    20. Nativity

    21. Alle psallite cum luya

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus

    22. The Moon Shines Bright

      Composer: Traditional

      Performer: John Langstaff

    23. St. George's Verse

      Performer: Gerrett Warner

    24. Sword Dance Tunes

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Muddy River Morris Team

      Performer: Marshall Barron

    25. The Shortest Day

      Performer: Robert J. Lurtsema

    26. The Wren Song

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Children's Chorus

    27. Apple Tree Wassail

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus

    28. The Twelve Days of Christmas

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus

    29. The Fool's Farewell

      Composer: na Not Applicable

      Performer: Henry Chapin

    30. Sussex Mummers' Carol

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: The Revels Chorus, The Revels Children's Chorus, Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble


Track Listing
1. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
2. Room's Opening Lines
3. Wassail Carol
4. Father Christmas Verse
5. Boar's Head Carol, The
6. Constant Billy
7. Here We Come a-Wassailing
8. Villagers All!
9. There Was a Pig
10. Monk's March, The
11. Dargason
12. Fra Giovanni
13. Holly and the Ivy, The
14. Fool's Verse
15. Lord of the Dance
16. Brass Fanfare
17. Masters in This Hall
18. Shakespeare Lines
19. Nova! Nova!
20. Nativity
21. Alle Psallite Cum Luya
22. Moon Shines Bright, The
23. St. George's Verse
24. Sword Dance Tunes
25. Shortest Day, The
26. Wren Song, The
27. Apple Tree Wassail
28. 12 Days of Christmas, The
29. Fool's Farewell, The
30. Sussex Mummers' Carol

There are Christians who refuse to celebrate the season because of its pagan origins, grounded in Solstice revels. These origins were made abundantly clear when John Langstaff first staged the Christmas Revels in New York City's Town Hall in 1957. The Revels, then, were a celebration of the rebirth of the New Year, but Langstaff added a twist. He would also enfold Christ -- the "Lord of the Dance" -- into his pageant, arguing that His death and rebirth fit perfectly into ancient pagan ritual. This 1978 version of The Christmas Revels offers but one version of the ever-evolving procession, featuring Langstaff as lead baritone on favorites like "The Boar's Head Carol" and "Lord of the Dance." A large cast, performing choral vocals, spoken parts, and instrumentals, brings an energetic dignity to a mixture of traditional songs, dances, ritual, and poetry. While the spoken portions of the Revels probably work better in a live theater experience, its important to remember that the program is meant as a community celebration. While some people will find this music a bit eccentric, the sort of thing one might hear on public radio on Christmas Eve; The Christmas Revels breaks away from yet another version of "Silent Night" and offers a refreshing way to celebrate the season. Pagans of all stripes will also be glad to have a holiday album to call their own. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.