A Mother’s Love

If there’s one place that knows how to translate Christmas into music, it is England. English Christmas Carols are known and loved the world over, and the standard of vocal ensembles in England is second to none. The Sixteen are a prime example of this. Conductor Harry Christophers’ ensemble performs a mix of traditional and modern music, English and non-English. A beautiful ode to the mother who gave us Christmas: Mary. Mary is often overlooked in Christmas music. And that is strange, according to The Sixteen. The vocal ensemble that has been at the top of the a-capella world for forty years is now changing that with works that range from a traditional Salve Regina to a new work by Kim Porter, the alto of The Sixteen. In between, everything the ensemble excels in passes by: hymns to Mary, impressive contemporary works, and traditional English carols such as God Rest You Merry Gentlemen.