A Christmas Fantasia is a collection of carols and fantasias written (mainly) by Ralph Vaughan Williams and his friends and former students. The exception is a new carol composed by the album's director, William Vann, setting a poem by Ivor Gurney.
The two most substantial works are Vaughan Williams's own 'Fantasia on Christmas Carols', which has never ceased to be popular since it was first produced in 1912, and Gustav Holst's 'Christmas Day', a 'choral fantasy on old carols' from 1910. There are shorter works by Holst himself and by Herbert Howells, John Ireland, Rebecca Clarke, Armstrong Gibbs, Gerald Finzi, Elizabeth Maconchy and William Vann.
William Vann conducts the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The choir regularly records for Albion Records and featured on two very successful earlier Christmas collections: ALBCD035 A Vaughan Williams Christmas, and ALBCD050 An Oxford Christmas.
The bass-baritone Ashley Riches contributes solos for the 'Fantasia on Christmas Carols' and two other works, while other solo voices are drawn from the choir. Organ accompaniment is provided as required by Jamie Andrews.
The songs in this collection present a picture of 'carols for choirs' from the early twentieth century up to 1961, when a book of that name began another revolution, and several of these carols were incorporated within it. The recording was made at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square, London on 12 and 13 February 2024.
The conductor and pianist William Vann is recognised in particular for his acclaimed revivals of neglected works of British choral music and song and is Director of Music at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. His eight critically acclaimed recordings with the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea have included first recordings of works by Elgar, Holst and Vaughan Williams and his studio recordings of Parry's Judith and Prometheus Unbound have been awarded a host of accolades, including Gramophone's 'Recording of the Month'.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea has been since 1692 the home of the famous Chelsea Pensioners, who are retired soldiers of the British Army. The Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital is one of the finest professional church choirs in the UK, whose primary purpose is to sing at the Sunday morning Matins service in the Wren Chapel. Members regularly sing with many of the world's leading consort groups and also work in the fields of opera, conducting, teaching and music journalism. Its singers are chosen not only for their skill at choral singing but also for a high standard of solo ability and general musicianship.
Ashley Riches studied English at King's College, Cambridge where he sang in the Chapel Choir under Stephen Cleobury. He is a former BBC New Generation Artist. He continues to sing in the widest possible range of operatic roles.
His song discography includes Bach's St Matthew Passionwith the Monteverdi Choir and the St John Passion (Jesus) with Crouch End Festival Chorus, the first recording in English for over fifty years.
