Medieval Christmas Carols

Anonymous carols of the Middle Ages are a ubiquity of the festive season. In his selection of recordings of particularly notable ones, Edward Breen focuses mainly on the latter part of the period - the 15th century.

Christmas carols and associated traditions of carol singing offer medieval music an annual opportunity to penetrate the national subconscious. Alongside the sound of tolling bells and monks singing plainchant there are a few carols which now stand as aural emblems for the Middle Ages.

For the full text of text of this article please visit: www.gramophone.co.uk Christmas issue: December 2015.