Wintertime. What images does this word conjure up? The barren beauty of leaf-stripped trees amongst steadfast evergreens; the wonder of first snowfall, soft under foot; the magic of stars studding an ink-dark sky; a lone bird in silent flight.…

With this broad ranging collection of music Apollo5 invites you to ‘coorie doon’ with them and enjoy music of comfort and joy.

‘A Deep But Dazzling Darkness ‘conjures up the wonder of Winter’s changing landscape through the very best contemporary choral writing for the festive season. As an owl sees through the night, Apollo5’s one to a part “exceptionally beautiful singing” (Classic FM) illuminates the magical quality of dark winter nights whilst lending crystalline clarity to the rarely heard consort performances of each piece.

“In many traditional yuletide carols and poems, a balance is posed between a dark, wild winter world and the intimate golden safety of human celebration. Pagan roots run deep here – particularly when it comes to the passing of the year – and festivals reflect that connection to darkness, with fires, feasts and revels that glow brightest through long nights.” – Jennifer Thorp

The chosen music speaks of a time of rejoicing and celebrating with the sharing of gifts, as brought by the visitors from Sheba. The miracle of birth, central to the Christmas story, is hailed with wonder and elation. The music evokes the magical quality of dark winter nights and suggests that through them we can see God more clearly.

With this broad-ranging collection of music Apollo5 invites you to ‘coorie doon’ with them and enjoy music of comfort and joy.

*‘coorie doon’ Scots to ‘nestle’ or ‘snuggle’

Track Listing:

1.Good-will to men, and peace on Earth - Dobrinka Tabakova

2. Omnes de Saba venient - Jacob Handl 

3. Laetentur coeli - William Byrd 

4. The angel Gabriel - trad. Basque arr. Fraser Wilson for Apollo5

5. Noël nouvelet - trad. French ed. Pietro Battiston 

6. Les anges dans nos campagnes - trad. French arr. François Gavaert/ Samuel  Greatheed 

7. Past three a clock - trad. English arr. Charles Wood 

8. Lute-book lullaby - William Ballet arr. Geoffrey Shaw 

9. The Coventry Carol - trad. English arr. Barnaby Smith 

10. I wonder as I wander - John Jacob Niles arr. John Rutter  11.The Night - Toby Young 

12. A spotless Rose - Herbert Howells 

13. Quem pastores laudavere - James Bassi 

14. The Owl - Toby Young 

15. Make we joy now in this fest - William Walton

A VOCES8 Records Production