For lovers of British carol services, Christmas is virtually synonymous with Cambridge. This service blends traditional plainsong antiphons and carols with readings.

Poulenc wrote his Stabat Mater, a hauntingly passionate work, after visiting the sacred shrine of the Black Madonna of Rocamadour. Poulenc's journey profoundly changed his life and work as a composer. Like the Stabat Mater, the Litanies ˆ la Vierge Noir is also inspired by the Black Virgin of Rocamadour. Recorded here in an unrivalled performance by the combined choirs of St. John's, Clare and Gonville and Caius Colleges, Cambridge, with the BBC Philharmonic with soprano Judith Howarth.

John Tavener is one of contemporary music's most distinctive and recognizable voices; writing deeply felt compositions of instant magnetism and lyrical intensity inspired by a strong Greek Orthodox faith. At the very heart of his work is sacred music, a genre in which Tavener has established considerable fame with contemporary classics such as 'The Lamb' and 'Hymns To The Mother of God' as well as the elegiac 'Song For Athene'. 'Svyati', for cello and chorus, takes the form of a musical incantation against the hushed voices of the choir. This rarely-heard masterpiece sees Tavener deploy an unusual combination of musical forces to powerful and moving effect.

The fruitful development of the English Anthem in the 20th century was made possible, some say, by the interest in the genre from composers who were unencumbered by church appointment. The Victorian flowering of English Anthems by Stanford was passed on to his student and successor at Cambridge, Wood, and other students Bainton, Ireland, Harris and Howells. Britten studied under Ireland at the Royal College of Music, and others studied at Oxbridge, Oxford and Cambridge. Stephen Cleobury directs the acclaimed 33-member, all male Choir of King's College in their renditions of these 13 pieces. Charles Wood's 'Hail, gladdening light,' Edgar Bainton's soaring 'And I saw a new heaven,' John Ireland's 'Greater love hath no man,' Wm. Harris' 'Faire is the heaven,' Edward Naylor's 'Vox dicentis: Clama,' Britten's 'A Hymn of St. Columbia,' Leighton's 'Let all the world in every corner sing'É this is not easily performed material, but the Choir effortlessly reaches the high scales and challenging harmonies. Light organ accompaniment on most songs, but the focus is on the voices. Dramatic, operatic compositions wonderfully performed by one of England's finest choirs.

Nowhere is Mendelssohn's creative psyche more poignantly exposed than in his choral works. His desire to create music rewarding for performers and listeners alike is everywhere apparent, as is his always mellifluous and gracious vocal writing. Most endearing of all are Mendelssohn's worlds of dreamlike contentment, which cocoon the listener in a web of enchanted idealism. Hšr mein Bitten (Hear my prayer) is the most popular of his small-scale choral works and was composed during Mendelssohn's eighth visit to England in 1844, just before he began putting the finishing touches to his violin concerto. The piece conjures up the feelings of peace and contentment in the flowing melodic lines of the inimitable O for the wings of a dove, which is also on this disc in its famous English adaptation. All of these sacred works are radiantly performed by The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge under David Hill in the first of a new series of recordings on the Hyperion label.

As one of England's oldest and most respected male choirs one expects great recordings and this collection of the favourites of director Christopher Robinson is a real treat. Recorded in the Chapel this recording demonstrates the Choir's remarkable repertoire stretching from the 15th century until the present day.

Taking as its starting point the Advent Carol Service, Christmas at St John's is an imaginative and varied programme devised by David Hill. Alongside Christmas classics by Rutter, Warlock, Howells and Holst, we have new works by Judith Bingham and Francis Pott, and Naylor's epic Vox dicentis.

David Hill's final recording with St John's features music by Edward Bairstow. The diverse programme includes well known pieces such as Let all mortal flesh and Jesu the very thought of thee. The release sees the debut recording of Five Poems of the Spirit, for which the Choir were joined by internationally acclaimed baritone Roderick Williams and the Britten Sinfonia.

Conductor Christopher Robinson directs this historic and highly regarded choir as they perform a thoughtful collection of popular choral music of many of the great composers including Haydn, Faure, Wesley, Brahms, Mozart, Elgar, Bruckner, Rachmaninov, Byrd, Rossini, Grieg, Mendelssohn, Franck, Stanford and Durufle.

A fine selection of traditional English Christmas carols sung impeccable by the venerable English choir under the direction of George Guest.

The magnificent Tavener piece headlines a collection of choral works that will make a musical companion to anyone's Advent and Christmas.