The Cherry Tree

The Cherry Tree
Songs, Carols & Ballads for Christmas
Anonymous 4
Harmonia mundi HMU 807453 [SACD]

Contents:

    Anon., Irish, 14th c.
  1. Prosa: Prophetarum presignata

    2. Anon., English, 15th c.
  2. Carol: Nowel synga we bothe al and som
  3. Carol: Alma redemptoris mater

    4. Anon., American, Southern Harmony, 1835
  4. Folk hymn: The Shepherd's star

    5. Anon., English, 15th c.
  5. Ballad carol: Newell – Tydings trew
  6. Carol: Mervele noght losep
  7. Carol: Synge we to this merry cumpane
  8. Song: Qui creavit celum

    9. William Knapp (English, 1798-1868); American version, Wyeth's Repository of Music, Part Second, 1813.
  9. Carol: A Virgin unspotted

    10. Anon., English, 15th c.
  10. Carol: Now may we syngyn
  11. Ballad carol: Lullay my child – This ender nithgt

    12. Anon., American, Souther Harmony, 1835
  12. Folk hymn: Star in the East

    13. Anon., English, 15th c.
  13. Carol: Veni redemptor gencium

    14. Anon., English, 15th c.; this version, Kentucky, 1917
  14. Carol ballad: The Cherry Tree Carol

    15. Anon., Irish, 14th c.
  15. Prosa: Salve mater misericordie

    16. Anon., English, 15th c.
  16. Carol: Hail mary ful of grace

    17. William Billings (American, 1746-1800)
  17. Fuging tune: Bethlehem

Sources:
[1], [15] Cambridge University Library Add. MS 710 "Dublin Troper" (13/14th c.)
[2], [7], [13] Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Arch. Selden b. 26 (ca 1450)
[3], [10],[16] Cambridge, Trinity College O,3,58 "Trinity Roll" (ca 1400-1450)
[4] Text: Reginald Heber (1811) / Tune: R. Herron, in Ananias Davisson. Supplement to the Kentucky Harmony (1826); Performance source: William Walker. The Southern Harmony (1835)
[5] Music: Bodleian Library MS Eng. Poet. E. I (ca 1485) / Text: Yale University MS 3665 "The Book of Brome" (15th c.)
[6] British Museum MS Add. 5665 "Ritson Manuscript" (ca 1500)
[8] Processional of the Nunnery of St. Mary, Chester (ca 1425)
[9] Text v, 1 unknown; vv2ff New Carrolls for this Merry Time of Christmas (1661); Tune: Willliam Knapp in his anthem for Christmas Day (1743); Performance source, Wyeth's Repository of Music, Part Second (1813
[11] British Museum MS Add. 5666 (15th c.)
[12] Text: Reginald Heber (1811) / Tune: Temple Harmony (1826); Performance source: William Walker. The Southern Harmony (1835)
[14] Text and tune: traditional. This version sung by Mr. William Wooton at Hindman, Knort Co., KY, Sep 21.1917. Appears in Cecil Sharp, English Folk-Songs from the Southern Appalachians (1932)
[17] Text: Nahum Tate (1702) / William Billings, in his Singing Master's Assistant (1778)

Performers:
Anonymous 4
Ruth Cunningham (voice), Marsha Genensky (voice), Susan Hellauer (voice), Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek (voice)

Playing time: 76' 22"

Recording site and date:
Skywalker Sound, Marin County, California. USA [02/2009] & Sauder Concert Hall, Goshen College, Indiana, USA [11/2009]
Rel.: 2010

Reviewed in:
Diapason (#-p.): 586-120 (December 2010)
Fanfare (Vol./#-p.): 34/3-471 (January/February 2011)

Comments:
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Pierre-F. Roberge