Ceremony of Carols - Benjamin Britten - Antioch Chamber Ensemble

Music in the Somerset Hills
Stephen Sands, Artistic Director

Benjamin Britten Celebration Concert
November 9, 2013 - St. John on the Mountain, Bernardsville, NJ

Antioch Chamber Ensemble - Joshua Copeland, Artistic Director
Merynda Adams, harp
Martha Cluver, Molly Quinn, Amy Goldin, Kristin Sands, Luthien Brackett, Sharon Byrne

[StephenMain]

Search the internet, you'll rarely find a better performance. Beautiful tone, elegant phrases, and wonderful staggered breathing for a small group. The harpist is outstanding. What an example of concentrated musical focus. This lady knows what she's doing.

[ThePepperh]

Based on the performances I have attended of this piece, it benefits greatly from the intimacy of a small, skilled production. The delicacy of the harp is totally lost in a large cathedral treatment, and the addition of tenors and baritones just adds bombast. Keep it clean and pure like this!

[christyrae]

I have listened to so many performances of Britten's Ceremony of Carols, and this one is my favorite. The female voices, the soloists, the harp, the overall expression, the tempo, the dynamics, the acoustics of the space. So achingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.

[bpwritermom]

I was looking for a decent performance of the Ceremony of Carols. I found the best imaginable!

[tomanderson]

This has always been a favorite piece of mine, but I just love this version. And what a great harpist!

[yrwbn]

I have heard a number of versions of the Carols. This one is one of the most delicate and heart felt versions I've heard. Antioch you have done an excellent job!

[NancyGerst]

I listen to this many times during Advent over the past couple years. It's so beautiful! Have heard Antioch at Spoleto several times. God bless all of you during this unusual holiday season of 2020.

[HeavenlyLights]

My fave presentation of Britten Ceremony of Carols. Beautiful🌺♥️🎁

[workeleybrathwaite]

I came looking for a big cathedral sound and was instead captivated by this great small group performance. There were no passengers here. the sound was clean and refreshing.

[ronaldculpepper]

I have never heard of this group but have enjoyed Britten's music for decades. I own three versions of it. This is one of the best I have ever heard. What a great treat for the fortunate few in the audience. Thanks for sharing and thanks for Youtube. Ron Culpepper

[ronaldculpepper]

wonderful version of an underappreciated modern classic

[JBNemeth]

Having sung this, I find this rendition with these women just heavenly. Still gives me chills to hear this... Thank you!

[demetriocristiankoutsoviti]

Exquisita interpretación !!! Britten halagado con la entonación y el acompañamiento. Felicitaciones y gracias.

[craftrobot]

A harp is like playing a piano, but without a cover, upright, and without keys... gratitude. The voices are divine and flawless. I will redouble my personal goals of diction and speech.

[markdemers]

Like many others who commented, I sang this in college. Hearing this performance makes me wish the men in our Chamber Choir would have sat this one out and let a handful of the women take it! This is an exquisite performance, and I am only just discovering it on YouTube. I wonder - where are these women now and have they continued to sing? And I think maybe I will google the harpist! Thank you - absolutely beautiful.

[plipsig]

I'm not even Christian, but this is beautiful! I'd rather hear actual Christmas hymns than some of the tacky songs that get played on the radio this time of year.

[grantfisher]

This performance is so sweet and sublimely perfect. Tears of joy literally as I listened. God bless you all.

[markipelagogogo]

Bravo on the Interlude. The dynamics were perfect on it and the harmonics were divine.

[skiingharpist]

Love the clarity! The tempi chosen are spectacular with such tasteful, heartfelt, artistic precision and love. Exquisite! Thank you! Brava!

[christinethomas]

I sang this a few years ago in my college women's chorus. I was looking for some of my favorite classical Christmas music and Ceremony of Carols came to mind.

This one of my favorite recordings of this piece to date. It really sent me back to a time when I was fortunate enough to sing this with my choir. Much love to your group and thanks for bringing back some amazing memories for me. <3