Etherea Vocal Ensemble release Ceremony of Carols debuted at #3 on the iTunes Charts yesterday!
And the reviews are already coming in!
Ceremony of Carols (Etherea Vocal Ensemble)
by CG-NYCThis is a beautiful rendition of Britten’s choral classic. When I listened to it,
I could only think that his had to be what Britten envisioned for this piece. Superb vocals
and a recording that catches subtle nuances make this a stunning performance. I am so pleased that
I discovered it. Highly recommended.Ceremony of Carols
by Sour PersimmonsA lovely holiday album with the finest available versions of Britten’s “Ceremony” and Rutter’s “Dancing Day”. Following the Britten, “Noel” is a delightfully jarring surprise, with its operatic flavor and dramatic finish. The recording also includes some inventive traditional carol arrangements that benefit from the ethereal all-treble sound (“In dulci jubilo” and “Gabriel’s Message” in particular). But my favorite track is the last, “Tomorrow shall be my dancing day,” as it really captures the festivity and joy of the Christmas season. Etherea’s singing is sublime throughout, as is Grace Cloutier’s magical harp playing.
And those are just the beginning: (click images for larger view)
Delos Radio Track:
Ceremony of Carols – Track 20: Dancing Day – Angelus ad Virginem by Delos Radio