Release date: November 15, 2024

Recorded at the Chapelle Saint-Pierre de Conflans in Charenton-le-Pont in March and April 2024.

For 2,000 years, Christmas has filled both young and old with wonder. A time for celebration, a time for reunions, moments of simplicity and sharing. At its heart, Christmas is about a birth—the birth of a newborn in a manger. During the winter solstice, light spreads everywhere, bringing perfect joy.

Even before the birth, joy is already present, as we eagerly await the child’s arrival. Between Gregorian chants and readings from English composers, we oscillate between splendor and awe, culminating in the exhilaration of Steven Sametz’s “Rejoice!”—a joy that becomes radiant with the newborn’s arrival!

Benjamin Britten’s A Boy Was Born introduces the colorful vision of Francis Poulenc. Like a painter, he describes the scene with simplicity, revealing the great mystery in a pure and vivid way. The silence of the night invites the gentleness of soothing English lullabies. Finally, at dawn, let our joy burst forth to announce the great news to the world. Sing now and be joyful!

REJOICE
1. Anonyme Leto leta concio
2. Antienne O Oriens
3. James MacMillan (b. 1959) O Radiant Dawn
4. Richard Allain (b. 1965) Coventry Carol
5. Steven Sametz (b. 1954) Gaudete

A BOY WAS BORN
6. Benjamin Britten (1913 – 1976) A Boy was Born
7. Repons O Magnum mysterium
8. Francis Poulenc (1899 – 1963) « O magnum mysterium » Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
9. Pierre Villette (1926 – 1998) O Magnum mysterium
10. Repons Quem Vidistis Pastores Dicite
11. Francis Poulenc « Quem Vidistis Pastores Dicite » Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
12. Antienne de Magnificat Videntes Stellam
13. Francis Poulenc « Videntes Stellam » Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
14. Antienne du Magnificat Hodie Christus natus est
15. Francis Poulenc « Hodie Christus natus est » Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël

IN A SILENT NIGHT
16. John Tavener (1944 – 2013) The Lamb
17. Joséphine Stephenson (b. 1990) The Infant King
18. Fredrik Sixten (b. 1962) Mary’s Lullaby

BE JOYFUL
19. Benjamin Britten Hymn to the Virgin
20. John Tavener A Christmas Round