Gothic Voices’ reputation for the originality of its programming is cemented with its first recording of mediaeval Christmas music, in which Julian Podger reimagines a fifteenth-century carol evening.

Mirroring the modern practice of performing mostly music from the preceding centuries alongside some contemporary repertoire, the programme includes late medieval English carols, chant, mono- and polyphonic songs and motets for the Advent and Christmas season, focusing on Mary, her Annunciation and the birth of Jesus. Larger-scale festive motets and mass movements by English late mediaeval celebrities John Dunstaple and Leonel Power also feature.

The ‘evening’ concludes with a summons to wake up to the significance of Christmas, with the conductus call Resonet, intonet introducing the carols Nowell synge we bothe al and som and Nowell: Owt of your slepe and the great Christmas chant Puer natus est nobis, arranged here into a joyful finale. This recording has been widely anticipated since a performance of this repertoire in December 2016 was chosen by BBC Music Magazine as its number one unmissable Christmas event.