Christmas music
for the traditional and the adventurous
by Chris Hayes
Over the past 30 years the number of artists recording on specifically Christian music labels has risen steadily. The same holds true for the 
interpretation of traditional music, such as hymns and carols, especially Christmas carols.
It would seem every group out there has a Christmas music project, and many, many of them include traditional Christmas carols. There are those who appreciate the “freer” interpretations of the traditional and well known music, find it refreshing and interesting. Others are bothered, as it was put to me once, by the “messing with stuff that ought not to be messed with.”
With all this in mind I offer two reviews this month, one featuring faithful renderings, the other a little more daring.
The popular Niagara Falls group Downhere has released four studio albums. The group’s collection of Christmas music is How Many Kings named for a song written as a bonus track for a previous album, The End of the Beginning.
The title track is a wonderful original song, showing just how much God
gave when he sent Jesus to us. In part, the chorus goes: “How many kings stepped down from their thrones / how many lords ever abandoned their homes / how many greats have become the least for me?”
A new, upbeat version of “Good King Wenceslas” (same melody) shows how musically talented this group is, and two traditional renderings of “Angels from the Realm” and “Silent Night” feature strikingly beautiful arrangements.
“Christmas In Our Hearts,” another of the group’s new songs, evokes the child-like and sentimental joy of the Christmas season and goes well with the other songs around it on the album.
For those looking for something “new” in Christmas music, this is a great choice, even including the “re-imagined” traditional carols. The Naxos Book of Carols CD has four sequences: Hope, Message, Baby, and 
King of Kings. As you listen to the disc the music takes you through Advent, Christmas and into Epiphany. The vocal ensemble Tonus Peregrinus performs the music superbly.
All the arrangements for this project are brand new, commissioned by Naxos, the record company that distributes this CD. You’ll find carols both ancient and traditional, along with some new pieces of music. Even the traditional melodies and harmonies are worked in ways that bring some musical surprises.
The excellent mixture of a cappella and accompanied sections makes this CD a captivating listen from beginning to end and well worth the time to set aside to do it. It is clearly one of the finest choral music albums I’ve heard in quite some time, and makes a fine addition to any library of Christmas music.
Both of these CDs are available through various online retailers. How Many Kings is also available at Christian book and gift stores that sell music. The Naxos Book of Carols may be a bit harder to find, but well worth the effort.
Enjoy these two offerings and all the blessings of Christmas too!
The Rev. Chris Hayes is a musician and (until Dec. 31) the rector of the Parish of Richmond. He moves to the Parish of Quispamsis Jan. 1, 2010.
