Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble music CDs. There are Christians who refuse to celebrate the season because of its pagan origins, grounded in Solstice revels. These origins were made abundantly clear when John Langstaff first staged the Christmas Revels in New York City's Town Hall in 1957. The Revels, then, were a celebration of the rebirth of the New Year, but Langstaff added a twist. He would also enfold Christ -- the "Lord of the Dance" -- into his pageant, arguing that His death and rebirth fit perfectly into ancient pagan ritual. This 1978 version of The Christmas Revels offers but one version of the ever-evolving procession, featuring Langstaff as lead baritone on favorites like "The Boar's Head Carol" and "Lord of the Dance." A large cast, performing choral vocals, spoken parts, and instrumentals, brings an energetic dignity to a mixture of traditional songs, dances, ritual, and poetry. While the spoken portions of the Revels probably work better in a live theater experience, its important to remember that the program is meant as a community celebration. While some people will find this music a bit eccentric, the sort of thing one might hear on public radio on Christmas Eve; The Christmas Revels breaks away from yet another version of "Silent Night" and offers a refreshing way to celebrate the season. Pagans of all stripes will also be glad to have a holiday album to call their own. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. Feat.Medieval & ...

Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble CD discography. Recorded at Paine Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts and Houghton Chapel, Wellesley College, Boston, Massachusetts in Spring, 1991. Includes liner notes by Susan Cooper. Personnel includes: George Emlen, David Gay, Roberta Humez (conductor); John Langstaff (conductor, vocals); Jerome Epstein (conductor, concertina); The Revels Chorus, Youth Pro Musica (vocals); John Fleagle (vocals, gaita, medieval harp, lyzarden, rebec, pipe, tabor); Chris Rua (vocals, recorder, shawm, bass viol); Hannah Davidson (alto recorder, bass dulcian, bass viol); The Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble (horns); Sarah Tenney (timpani, percussion).

Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble albums. Selections recorded at Paine Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusets and at First Parish in Brookline, Massachusets, in June and July, 1999. Personnel: John Langstaff (vocals, baritone); John Rockwell , Holly Teichholz, Jamie Jaffe, Maggi Peirce, Donald Wilkinson, David Jones, Gail Abbey, David Coffin, Pamela Dellal, Paul Guttry, Ann Rooney (vocals); Donald A. Duncan (bass voice, guitar); Margot Chamberlain (harp); Peter Hughes (violin); Hannah Emlen (cello); Peter H. Bloom (flute); Tom Kruskal (concertina); Chester Brezniak (clarinet); Ken Pullig (trumpet, flugelhorn); Darryl Robbins, Dana Oakes (trumpet); Richard Hudson (French horn); Hans Bohn, David Lindsey (trombone); Gregory Fritze (tuba); Jacqueline Schwab (piano); Sarah Tenney (timpani, percussion). Recording information: First Parish, Brookline, MA (06/1999-07/1999); Paine Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (06/1999-07/1999).

Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble discography. Wassail! Wassail! features a variety of vocalists performing traditional American holiday favorites. The Revel Players perform the majority of this collection's songs, other performers being Robert J. Lurtsema, John Langstaff, Carol Duveneck, and Susan Robbins, in addition to others. The songs are all American traditionals, for the most part, or at least part of the American holiday tradition. Featured songs include "Exultation," "Angel and the Shepherds," "Iglulik Eskimo Poem," ...

Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble songs. Cambridge Symphonic Brass & Tympani: Bruce Hall, Kenneth Pullig (trumpet); Richard Hudson (French horn); Kevin Henry (trombone); Gregory Fitze (tuba); Sarah Tenney (tympani). Recorded at Paine Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachussets in 1987. Includes liner notes by Susan Cooper. Personnel: John Langstaff ...

Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble CD discography. Recording information: Futura Productions, Roslindale, MA (03/2010).