"This beautifully sung sequence ranges through 500 years of Christmas music, which a bias towards the 20th century and some of the exquisite carols and anthems composed by the likes of Vaughan Williams, Holst, Morten Lauridsen and John Tavener.

The mood is one of quiet reflection rather than overt jubilation although Parry's Welcome, Yule! and Tavener's rhythmically punchy Today the Virgin are exceptions, but there is a broad spectrum of texts and techniques to lend the programme stylistic variety."