"A lovely festive celebration and a reminder of what Christmas is all about" Oldham Chronicle (2014)

Christma s is a time for the family, and one of the joys of the Hallé’s annual Christmas concerts is the way that they unite the whole Hallé musical family: not just the Hallé and Hallé Choir, but the Hallé’s superb Youth Choir and Children’s Choir too. That gives a special flavour to this annual Manchester tradition.

This album contains a delightful collection of popular, ever-loved and newly discovered seasonal gems, covering orchestral and choral works from across the Christmas ages.

Alongside works by composers acclaimed for their film and TV music, Hollywood’s own John Williams and Nigel Hess (Ladies in Lavender; Hetty Wainthropp Investigates), are choral must-haves including seasonal gems from British composers John Rutter and John Gardner. The orchestra glitters in Noel!, specially written for Hallé and conductor Stephen Bell and described as a ‘Festive Romp for Organ and Orchestra’, and in American favourite Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson.

This is an album that has time for both wintry magic and quiet contemplation and which also includes songs that sparkle as brilliantly as the lights on any tree. The Hallé carol concerts are a joyous celebration of seasonal tradition in the fullest sense: of Christmas past, present – and future. Enjoy!