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Release Date: November 13, 2020
Catalog #: NV6319
Format: Digital & Physical
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A Very RenMen Christmas

Live!

Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry conductor
Jeffrey Means director

The Renaissance Men are back with their latest release on Navona Records: A VERY RENMEN CHRISTMAS: LIVE! The album, which features lush choral arrangements of traditional hymns and holiday classics, captures the festive spirit of the RenMen’s annual Christmas galas for listeners everywhere.

Following on the heels of their 2019 release, RENMEN LAMENTS, this newest collection offers timeless seasonal chamber music arranged for tenor, baritone, and bass voices. The album opens with soloist Corey Dalton Hart intoning the verse of Some Children See Him; the sparkling clarity of each rounded note is soon multiplied by the rest of the choir, elevating the performance to spiritual heights.

This is followed by Cantate Domino, an invigorating setting of Psalm 96. With its aggressive rhythmic action and sensitive dynamics, the Latin text is presented as an arresting and captivating musical piece. Riu Chiu is a traditional Spanish song, and the RenMen bring it to life with passionate energy against the chattering rhythm of a tambourine. The RenMen treat listeners to favorite classics, as well, but always with that signature sound and attention to detail they are known for. Their rendition of I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a treatment of the song made popular by Rascal Flatts. Blending the choral group’s influences, this number incorporates jazz, country, and popular stylings seamlessly with traditional choral techniques. Later, songs like Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman offer a lighthearted counterpoint to O Magnum Mysterium and Angels We Have Heard on High, making this a joyful and inviting holiday album for the whole family.

Steeped in time-honored western choral music and flavored with yuletide fun, A VERY RENMEN CHRISTMAS: LIVE! brings the merriment of the RenMen’s live performances to your living room. Pour some eggnog, don that favorite Christmas sweater, and enjoy this collection of ancient and modern classics.

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Track Listing & Credits

# Title Composer Performer
01 Some Children See Him (Live) Alfred Burt Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry, conductor; Corey Dalton Hart, soloist 3:50
02 Cantate Domino (Live) Paul John Rudoi Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry, conductor 4:01
03 Ríu Ríu Chíu (Attrib. M. Flecha) [Arr. The Modern Folk Quartet] [Live] Traditional Spanish Villancico Members of Renaissance Men | Fausto Miro, Corey Dalton Hart, Brian Church, Benjamin Pfeil; Eric Christopher Perry, conductor; Eric Christopher Perry, tambourine 1:31
04 Mary Had a Baby (Arr. D. Wright) [Live] Traditional Spiritual Members of Renaissance Men | Eduardo Antonio Ramos Suárez, Corey Dalton Hart, Brian Church, Benjamin Pfeil; Eric Christopher Perry, conductor 2:28
05 O Magnum Mysterium (Live) Jan Wilke Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry, conductor 3:31
06 The Longest Night (Live) Daniel E Gawthrop Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry conductor; Benjamin Pfeil, Eric Christopher Perry, Will Prapestis, soloists 6:50
07 I'll Be Home for Christmas (Arr. Rascal Flatts) [Live] Kim Gannon, Buck Ram, Walter Kent Members of Renaissance Men | Fausto Miro, Will Prapestis, Anthony Burkes Garza, Benjamin Pfeil; Eric Christopher Perry, conductor 3:36
08 Jingle Bells (Arr. for A Capella Choir) [Live] James Lord Pierpont Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry, conductor 1:38
09 Snowfall (Arr. The Four Freshmen) [Live] Claude Thornhill Members of Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry vocals, percussion, Will Prapestis vocals, bass, Brian Church vocals, guitar, Anthony Burkes Garza, vocals 3:56
10 Frosty the Snowman (Arr. R. Campbell) [Live] Steve Nelson, Walter E “Jack” Rollins Members of Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry, Peter C Schilling, Will Prapestis, Anthony Burkes Garza 1:54
11 I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (Arr. J. Nicholas) [Live] John Rox Members of Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry, Peter C Schilling, Will Prapestis, Anthony Burkes Garza; Eric Christopher Perry, conductor 2:52
12 Angels We Have Heard on High (Arr. S. Choi) [Live] Traditional French Carol Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry, conductor; Eric Christopher Perry, Will Prapestis, soloists 6:56
13 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Arr. J. Clancy) [Live] Hugh Martin, Ralph Blume Renaissance Men | Eric Christopher Perry, conductor; Benjamin Pfeil, soloist 3:17

CREDITS
Tracks 1-7, 9-11, 13 recorded on December 8-11, 2019 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Newton Lower Falls MA; Track 8 recorded November 29, 2017 at WGBH Studios in Brighton MA; Track 12 recorded May 30, 2020 at Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill MA.
Producer & Engineer Jeffrey Means (Tracks 1-7, 9-13), Suono Vivo Audio Service
Producer & Engineer Antonio Oliart Ros (Track 8) WGBH, Brighton MA
Original A Very RenMen Christmas Logo Ryan Stickney
Track 1 Wihla Hutson, lyrics
Track 2 Psalm 96:1-4, lyrics
Track 6 Jane Griner, lyrics
Track 9 Ruth Thornhill, lyrics

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This album is dedicated to our family, friends, and all of our devoted RenFriends for your attendance at our A Very RenMen Christmas concerts and galas and for your love, support, and generosity to make this record and the past five years possible. You asked for this record and we are proud to finally make this a reality for you. We could not have done it without you. Thank you.

Profound thanks to the Boston Cultural Council and the Newton Cultural Council for support of the A Very RenMen Christmas LIVE! concert and gala in November 2019 from which this record was made.

Our Director of Grants: Samantha Dotterweich

Our Board of Directors: Michael Scanlon, Holly Cameron, Chris Sole, Kirsten Johnson, Tim and Mary Rector, Semi Spahillari, Dorrie Taylor

Jeffrey Means for your brilliance and kindness.

Daniel E Gawthrop for our fruitful and meaningful collaboration as our first Composer In Residence. Words cannot even begin to express our gratitude.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Newton Lower Falls MA, and Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill MA

Tim and Jane Gillette, whose generous donations funded our early concerts and galas.

Tim Barberich and Eileen Gebrian, whose unexpectedly generous donations allowed our dreams of producing albums to come true.

Additional thanks:

. Rick Simpson and Jody Hill Simpson

. Tami Papagiannopoulos

. Tami’s Treats (our annual Christmas cookies!)

. “The Lion Chef” Chef Daniel Pontes-Macedo

. West on Centre, West Roxbury MA

. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Columbus OH

. Jay Mobley

Executive Producer Bob Lord

Executive A&R Sam Renshaw
A&R Director Brandon MacNeil

VP, Audio Production Jeff LeRoy
Audio Director Lucas Paquette

VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Edward A. Fleming
Publicity Patrick Niland, Sara Warner

Artist Information

Renaissance Men

Ensemble

From humble beginnings (a haphazard recreational night of singing in a practice room of New England Conservatory in Boston MA), Renaissance Men has emerged as one of the most exciting and vital professional male vocal chamber ensembles in America, having been called the “East Coast answer to Chanticleer” [Cinemusical].

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Texts

Wihla Hutson lyrics

Some children see Him lily white,
the baby Jesus born this night.
Some children see Him lily white,
with tresses soft and fair.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
The Lord of heav’n to earth come down.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
with dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond-eyed,
this Savior whom we kneel beside.
some children see Him almond-eyed,
with skin of yellow hue.

Some children see Him dark as they,
sweet Mary’s Son to whom we pray.
Some children see him dark as they,
and, ah! they love Him, too!

The children in each different place
will see the baby Jesus’ face
like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,
and filled with holy light.
O lay aside each earthly thing
and with thy heart as offering,
come worship now the infant King.
‘Tis love that’s born tonight!

Psalm 96:1-4

Cantate Domino canticum novum:
cantate Domino omnis terra.
Cantate Domino, et benedicite nomini ejus:
annuntiate de die in diem salutare ejus.
Annuntiate inter gentes gloriam ejus,
in omnibus populis mirabilia ejus.
Quoniam magnus Dominus,
et laudabilis nimis.

Sing unto the Lord a new song:
Sing unto the Lord, all the earth.
Sing unto the Lord, bless His name;
show forth His salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the heathen,
His wonders among all people.
For the Lord is great,
and greatly to be praised.

Traditional Spanish Villancico

Riu, riu, chiu
La guarda ribera
Dios guarde el lobo
De nuestra cordera.

El lobo rabioso la quiso morder,
Mas Dios poderoso la supo defender;
Quisole hazer que no pudiese pecar,
Ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera.
Riu, riu, chiu, etc.

Este qu’es nascido es el gran monarca,
Cristo patriarca de carne vestido;
Hanos redimido con se hazer chiquito,
Aunqu’era infinito, finito se hizera.
Riu, riu, chiu, etc.

Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank is protected.
God has kept the wolf
From our ewe lamb.

The rabid wolf wanted to bite her;
But Almighty God knew how to defend her;
He willed to make her unable to sin.
Even original sin this virgin did not have.
Riu, riu, chiu...

The one who is born is the Great Monarch,
Christ the Patriarch clothed in flesh;
He has redeemed us by making himself small,
Though he was infinite, He became finite.
Riu, riu, chiu…

Responsorial Chant from the Matins of Christmas

O magnum mysterium
et admirabile sacramentum
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum
jacentem in praesepio.

Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum.
Alleluia.

O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!

Jane Griner lyrics

And from that vast and infinite space
is the darkness called
on this, the longest night.

Now, into that mystery midst earth and sky
come the treasures of darkness;
riches wrapped in illusory, velvet blackness.
No softness, no golden light tarries here
but hard, glistening cold reigns sovereign
on this, the longest night.

Here rules the more ancient light.
Frozen fields of shattered glass,
crystalline nebulæ, worlds without end,
named and numbered by the Giver of wisdom
glitter in their eternal dance.

Compass me, O compass me
on this, the longest night.
Ransom me from earthly sorrows
from demons and deadly fears
and sing to me the magic runes
of starlight and creation.

Compass me, O compass me
both in body and in spirit,
O Thou who guards the ancient light,
Keep watch this longest night.

And here in jeweled darkness
are mysteries and prophecies bequeathed.
Illumined are pathways, dreams and secret ways
deliquescent truths caught in gossamer webs
revealed on this, the longest night.

Breathless, suspended in that longest moment,
mortal flesh falls silent and we wait;
for black to turn to darkest blue;
to tip again from dark to light,
from cold to warmth
for this, the longest night, to turn to day.

Traditional French Carol, translation
by James Chadwick (1813-1882)

Opening Chant - Latin translation of traditional English carol by Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Angeli canunt praecones
nuper natum Dominum,
pacem nobis, veniamque
erga genus humanum.
Gentes surgite gaudentes,
cum caelicolis canentes
Dei Filium, Regem,
natum iam in Bethlehem:
Ecce, canunt angeli gloriam novo Regi!
Amen.

Hark! The herald-angels sing
“Glory to the newborn king;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald-angels sing
“Glory to the new-born king”

Angels we have heard on high…