…this outstanding issue celebrates 20 years of carols newly commissioned for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The two CDs are stuffed with memorable settings - Jonathan Dove's superb, multilayered 'The Three Kings', Judith Weir's dramatically angular 'Illuminare, Jerusalem', the intricate sound-tapestry of Birtwistle's extraordinary 'The Gleam'.

…catch while you can this rich sampling of the new carols commissioned and performed by the Choir of King's College, including gems by Jonathan Harvey, Judith Weir and Giles Swayne. Even the Birtwistle - with its stratosphere-reaching harmonies, and use of a wild shout and stamp - is sound with a fresh enthusiasm.