Welcome Yule
O Jesulein süss
Tu scendi dalle stelle
Jesus Christ the apple tree
Wither's Rocking Hymn
A Spotless Rose
The Infant King (Sing lullaby)
Lullay my liking
Rise up shepherd and follow
Bethlehem Down
See amid the winter's snow
Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle
Sweet little Jesus boy
Greensleeves
What child is this
Sussex Carol
Coventry Carol
Veni mater gracie/Dou way Robin
Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen
The holly and the ivy
Three kings from Persian lands afar
Hush thee, princeling

If there ever was a type of music that was for the people, it's Christmas music. For centuries, before the advent of electricity which brought about the glut of electronic devices that entertain us today, families would gather around the fireplace or woodstove, and communities would gather together in church to collectively sing Christmas carols or seasonal songs. The only way they would hear this music was by performing it themselves. And this is basically the sense you get from this new recording by the Tenet Vocal Artists titled Love Enfolds Thee Round. The simple a cappella arrangements once in a while accompanied by a single lute, evoke the atmosphere of a Medieval household or an 18th century Christmas mass service, with the music provided by a small, intimate group of voices.

The booklet notes state: "TENET Vocal Artists created this disc as a gift to its loyal audience. Although much of the repertoire featured falls outside the purview of 'early music', the disc well represents the singers' collective specialties in the music of the Anglican tradition. In fact, the works on this recording could easily serve as selections from a Lessons and Carols service of today. TENET fans will recognize the voices of our singers as they perform one-on-a-part". The works on this CD range from the 1500s with music by Michael Praetorius to Norman dello Joio (1913-2008). Including as well some Bach, Holst, Howells, Warlock, and much more. I don't know about you but I always thought that Greensleeves was an anonymous piece. It turns out it was written by Francis Cutting (1550-1595).

Every year at around this time, many new recordings of Christmas music are released that quite simply add to the existing glut of tried and true renditions of this music. I prefer focusing attention on the ones that avoid the commercial trappings of the season, and instead capture and project the essence of Christmas music as something special and meaningful to each and everyone of us. And this year, this is the one.