Classical Music In Concert: St John's College Choir Cambridge

Showing posts with label St John's College Choir Cambridge. Show all posts

Showing posts with label St John's College Choir Cambridge. Show all posts

Friday, 19 December 2025

Christmas carols & motets - Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Christmas carols & motets

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

DIR: CHRISTOPHER GRAY

recorded: Dec 15, 2025, Wigmore Hall, London

lossless (flac)

source: BBC Radio 3 (stream)

programme with lyrics & translations inluded [pdf]

Comment on Facebook

Sally BEAMISH (*1956)

(01) In the stillness [02'21"]

John RUTTER (*1945)

(02) There is a flower [04'19"]

Robert PARSONS (c1535-1571)

(03) Ave Maria [04'48"]

Hans Leo HASSLER (1564-1612)

(04) Verbum caro factum est [02'35"]

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976)

(05) A Hymn to the Virgin [03'05"]

William WALTON (1902-1983)

(06) All this time [01'38"]

trad, arr Robert Lucas PEARSALL

(07) In dulci jubilo [03'00"]

Hieronymus PRAETORIUS (1560-1629)

(08) Magnificat 5. toni [06'23"]

Eleanor DALEY (*1955)

(09) Love came down at Christmas [04'35"]

Elizabeth POSTON (1905-1987)

(10) Jesus Christ the Apple Tree [03'36"]

George KIRBYE (1565-1634)

(11) Vox in Rama [04'39"]

anon

(12) Coventry Carol [02'41"]

Jonathan DOVE (*1959)

(13) The Three Kings [05'21"]

[encore]

Laura SHEILS (*1995)

(14) Adam lay ybounden [01'44"]

Picture: Angel Playing a Flageolet (Edward Burne-Jones, 1833-1898)

links:

Hans Leo Hassler

Benjamin Britten

Robert Lucas Pearsall

Hieronymus Praetorius

Elizabeth Poston

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

download:

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Sunday, 8 December 2024

A Service for Advent with Carols - St John's College Choir, Cambridge (Christopher Gray)

A Service for Advent with Carols

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Alexander Robson, organ

DIR.: CHRISTOPHER GRAY

recorded: Dec 1, 2024, Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge

lossless (flac)

source: BBC Radio 3 (digital radio) (stream)

programme with lyrics included [pdf]

Comment on Facebook

(01) Introit: Rorate coeli (plainchant) [02'47"]

(02) Processional Hymn: O come, O come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel) [03'57"]

(03) Bidding Prayer [02'47"]

(04) Carol: In the stillness (Sally Beamish) [02'22"]

I The Message of Advent

(05) Sentence and Collect [01'03"]

(06) Antiphons: O Sapientia and O Adonaï (plainchant) [02'48"]

(07) Carol: People, look east (trad., Bescançon, arr. Martin Shaw) [01'53"]

(08) First Lesson: Isaiah 11 vv. 1-5 [01'06"]

(09) Carol: A tender shoot (Kerensa Briggs) [02'14"]

(10) Carol: There is no rose (John Joubert) [02'49"]

(11) Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5 vv. 1-11 [02'01"]

(12) Carol: Christ hath a garden (Eleanor Daley) [03'46"]

II The Word of God

(13) Sentence and Collect [01'01"]

(14) Antiphons: O Radix Jesse and O Clavis David (plaichant) [02'09"]

(15) Third Lesson: Micah 4 vv. 1-4 [01'27"]

(16) Carol: A Hymn of St Columba (Benjamin Britten) [02'23"]

(17) Fourth Lesson: Luke 4 vv. 14-21 [01'12"]

(18) Hymn: Come, thou long-expected Jesus (Cross of Jesus) [01'56"]

III The Prophetic Call

(19) Sentence and Collect [00'57"]

(20) Antiphons: O Oriens and O Rex Gentium (plainchant) [02'05"]

(21) Fifth Lesson: Malachi 3 vv1-7 [01'59"]

(22) Carol: This is the record of John (Orlando Gibbons) [03'51"]

(23) Sixth Lesson: Matthew 3 vv1-11 [02'05"]

(24) Hymn: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (Winchester New) [02'31"]

IV The God-Bearer

(25) Sentence and Collect [01'04"]

(26) Antiphons: O Emmanuel and O Virgo Virginum (plainchant) [02'19"]

(27) Carol: Annunciation (The Angel and the girl are met) (Helena Paish) [05'46"]

(28) Seventh Lesson: Luke 1 vv. 39-49 [01'32"]

(29) Magnificat: St John's Service (Jonathan Dove) [05'46"]

(30) Eighth Lesson: John 3 vv1-8 [01'36"]

(31) Carol: The seven joys of Mary (trad, arr. William Whitehead) [04'21"]

(32) Sentence and Christmas Collect [01'01"]

(33) Carol: What child is this? (Russell Pascoe) [04'53"]

(34) Hymn: Hills of the north rejoice (Little Cornard) [02'57"]

(35) The College Prayer and The Blessing [00'53"]

Picture: Icon of Virgin and Child, Ukraine, 19th century

links:

Orlando Gibbons

St John's College Choir, Cambridge

Alexander Robson

download:

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Sunday, 4 December 2022

A Service for Advent with Carols - St John's College Choir, Cambridge

A Service for Advent with Carols

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Anna Ryan, flute

Oliver Wass, harp

George Herbert, organ

DIR.: ANDREW NETHSINGHA

recorded: Nov 27, 2022, Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge

lossless (flac)

source: BBC Radio 3 (digital radio)

programme with lyrics included (pdf)

Comment on Facebook

(01) Introit: Advent Calendar (Philip Ledger) [02'37"]

(02) Processional Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel) [03'59"]

(descant: David Hill)

(03) Bidding Prayer [02'34"]

(04) Carol: There is no rose (Simon Preston) [02'47"]

I The Message of Advent

(05) Sentence and Collect [00'47"]

(06) Antiphons: O Sapientia and O Adonaï (plainchant) [01'51"]

(07) First lesson: Isaiah 11 vv. 1-5 [01'02"]

(08) Carol: Adam lay ybounden (Peter Warlock) [01'18"]

(09) Second lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5 vv. 1-11 [01'54"]

(10) Carol: Cedit, Hyems (Abbie Betinis) [02'50"]

II The Word of God

(11) Sentence and Collect [00'54"]

(12) Antiphons: O Radix Jesse and O Clavis David (plainchant) [01'50"]

(13) Carol: Drop down, ye heavens, from above (Judith Weir) [01'52"]

(14) Third lesson: Micah 4 vv. 1-4 [01'40"]

(15) Carol: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day (John Gardner) [02'24"]

(16) Fourth lesson: Luke 4 vv. 14-21 [01'19"]

(17) Hymn: Come, thou long expected Jesus (Cross of Jesus) [01'56"]

(descant: Christopher Robinson)

III The Prophetic Call

(18) Sentence and Collect [00'46"]

(19) Antiphons: O Oriens and O Rex Gentium [01'51"]

(20) Carol: One star, at last (Peter Maxwell Davies) [03'10"]

(21) Fifth lesson: Malachi 3 vv. 1-7 [02'15"]

(22) Carol: Lo! the desert depths are stirr'd (Cheryl Frances-Hoad) [02'46"]

(23) Sixth lesson: Matthew 3 vv. 1-11 [01'58"]

(24) Hymn: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (Winchester New) [02'30"]

IV The God-Bearer

(25) Sentence and Collect [00'55"]

(26) Antiphon: O Emmanuel [00'56"]

(27) Carol: A tender shoot (Otto Goldschmidt) [02'04"]

(28) Seventh lesson: Luke 1 vv. 39-49 [01'31"]

(29) Carol: A spotless rose (Herbert Howells) [03'31"]

(30) Magnificat: Chichester Service (Magnificat) (William Walton) [03'55"]

(31) Eighth lesson: John 3 vv. 1-8 [01'44"]

(32) Sentence and The Christmas Collect [00'47"]

(33) Carol: Nova! Nova! (Iain Farrington) [04'12"]

(34) Hymn: Lo! He comes with clouds descending (Helmsley) [05'11"]

(descant: Robinson)

(35) The College Prayer and The Blessing [00'59"]

(36) Organ Voluntary: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 661)

(Johann Sebastian Bach) [03'14"]

links:

Peter Maxwell Davies

Cheryl Frances-Hoad

Otto Goldschmidt

Herbert Howells

Iain Farrington

St John's College Choir, Cambridge

download:

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Wednesday, 2 March 2022

An Evensong on Ash Wednesday - St John's College Choir Cambridge

An Evensong on Ash Wednesday

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Joseph Wicks, organ

DIR.: ANDREW NETHSINGHA

recorded: February 18, 2015, Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge

lossless

source: BBC Radio 3 (digital radio)

recorded with harddisc recorder

Comment on Facebook

(01) Penitential introduction [03'15"]

(02) Preces - William SMITH (1603-1645) [01'09"]

(03) Psalm 51 - Gregorio ALLEGRI (1582-1652): Miserere mei Deus [12'26"]

(04) First Lesson - Isaiah 1 vv 10-18 [01'50"]

(05) Canticles (1) - Thomas WEELKES (1576-1623): Sixth Service (Magnificat) [05'29"]

(06) Second Lesson - Luke 15 vv 11-32 [03'14"]

(07) Canticles (2) - Thomas WEELKES: Sixth Service (Nunc dimittis) [02'08"]

(08) Creed [01'00"]

(09) Lord's Prayers and Responses - William SMITH [06'08"]

(10) Anthem - William BYRD (c1540-1623): Afflicti pro peccatis nostris [05'13"]

(11) Hymn - Lord Jesus, think on me (Southwell) [02'50"]

(12) Organ Voluntary - Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750):

Fantasia in c minor BWV 562 [05'30"]

links:

St John's College Choir Cambridge

download:

-----------------------

Sunday, 12 December 2021

A Service for Advent with Carols - St John's College Choir Cambridge (Andrew Nethsingha)

A Service for Advent with Carols

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Ignacio Mañá Mesas, saxophone

Anne Denholm, harp

George Herbert, organ

DIR.: ANDREW NETHSINGHA

recorded: Nov 28, 2021, Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge

lossless (flac)

source: BBC Radio 3 (digital radio)

recorded with harddisc recorder

programme with lyrics included [pdf]

Comment at Facebook

(01) Introit: Adam lay ybounden (Philip Ledger) [02'24"]

(02) Processional Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel (tune: Veni Emmanuel)

(descant: David Hill) [03'59"]

(03) Bidding Prayer [02'53"]

(04) Carol: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day (John Gardner) [02'23"]

I The Message of Advent

(05) Sentence and Collect [00'57"]

(06) Antiphons: O Sapientia and O Adonaï (plainchant) [02'06"]

(07) First Lesson: Isaiah 11 vv. 1-5 [01'14"]

(08) Carol: Creator of the stars of night (arr. John Scott) [04'04"]

(09) Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5 vv. 1-11 [011'38"]

(10) Carol: Telling (Helen Grime) [02'47"]

II The Word of God

(11) Sentence and Collect [00'55"]

(12) Antiphons: O Radix Jesse and O Clavis David (plainchant) [01'59"]

(13) Third Lesson: Micah 4 vv. 1-4 [01'21"]

(14) Carol: Nowel! Owt of your slepe aryse and wake (anon, 15th century) [02'31"]

(15) Fourth Lesson: Luke 4 vv. 14-21 [01'21"]

(16) An Introduction to: Hark, the glad sound! (Judith Bingham) -

Hymn: Hark, the glad sound! (tune: Bristol) [05'24"]

III The Prophetic Call

(17) Sentence and Collect [00'47"]

(18) Antiphons: O Oriens and O Rex Gentium (plainchant) [02'02"]

(19) Carol: Pan fo'r stormydd garwa'n curo (J Raymond Williams) [01'49"]

(20) Fifth Lesson: Malachi 3 vv. 1-7 [01'52"]

(21) Carol: Lo! the desert depths are stirr'd (Cheryl Frances-Hoad) [02'42"]

(22) Sixth Lesson: Matthew 3 vv. 1-11 [02'15"]

(23) Hymn: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (tune: Winchester New)

(descant: Christopher Robinson) [02'42"]

IV The God-Bearer

(24) Sentence and Collect [01'01"]

(25) Antiphon: O Emmanuel (plainchant) [01'03"]

(26) Carol: There is no rose (John Joubert) [02'33"]

(27) Seventh Lesson: Luke 1 vv. 39-49 [01'25"]

(28) Carol: A spotless rose (Herbert Howells) [03'34"]

(29) Magnificat: Service in E (Magnificat) (Herbert Murrill) [04'05"]

(30) Eighth Lesson: John 3 vv. 1-8 [01'40"]

(31) Sentence and The Christmas Collect [00'49"]

(32) Carol: Make we joy (Christopher Robinson) [02'02"]

(33) Hymn: Lo! He comes with clouds descending (tune: Helmsley)

(descant: Christopher Robinson) [05'20"]

(34) The College Prayer and The Blessing [01'02"]

(35) Organ Voluntary: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 661) (Johann Sebastian Bach) [03'14"]

links:

Cheryl Frances-Hoad

Herbert Howells

Herbert Murrill

Christopher Robinson

Ignacio Mañá Mesas

St John's College Choir, Cambridge

download:

----------------------------

Sunday, 29 November 2020

A Service for Advent with Carols - St John's College Choir Cambridge/Andrew Nethsingha

A Service for Advent with Carols

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Ignacio Mañá Mesas, saxophone (16)

Anne Denholm, harp (19)

James Anderson-Besant, organ

DIR.: ANDREW NETHSINGHA

recorded: Dec 1, 2019, Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge

lossless (flac)

source: BBC Radio 3 (digital radio)

recorded with harddisc recorder

A Service for Advent with Carols is part of a long tradition, and is broadcast every year

by BBC Radio 3 on the first Sunday of Advent. It is a mixture of music and spoken text in a

fixed order. I have kept the service in the form it has been performed.

(01) Carol: Die Weihnachtsgeschichte op. 10 (Es ist ein Ros entsprungen)

(Hugo Distler) [01'25"]

(02) Processional Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel)

(descant: David Hill) [04'15"]

(03) Bidding Prayer [00'46"]

(04) Carol: People, look east (Peter Tranchell, arr. Peter Marchbank) [03'09"]

I The Message of Advent

(05) Sentence and Collect [01'02"]

(06) Antiphons: O Sapientia and O Adonai (plainchant) [01'49"]

(07) First lesson: Isaiah 11 vv.1-5 [01'06"]

(08) Carol: A tender shoot (Otto Goldschmidt) [02'06"]

(09) Second lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5 vv.1-11 [01'46"]

(10) Carol: Out of your sleep (Anthony Milner) [02'43"]

II The Word of God

(11) Sentence and Collect [00'53"]

(12) Antiphons: O Radix Jesse and O Clavis David (plainchant) [01'48"]

(13) Third lesson: Micah 4 vv.1-4 [01'15"]

(14) Carol: I am the day (Jonathan Dove) [06'39"]

(15) Fourth lesson: Luke 4 vv.14-21 [01:16"]

(16) Anthem: Hark, the glad sound! (First Performance) (Judith Bingham)/

Hymn: Hark, the glad sound! (Bristol) [05'28"]

III The Prophetic Call

(17) Sentence and Collect [00'56"]

(18) Antiphons: O Oriens and O Rex Gentium (plainchant) [01'48"]

(19) Carol: A Ceremony of Carols op. 28 (Deo Gracias)

(Benjamin Britten, arr. Julius Harrison) [01'12"]

(20) Fifth lesson: Malachi 3 vv.1-7 [01'56"]

(21) Carol: John the Baptist (Michael Finnissy) [03'32"]

(22) Sixth lesson: Matthew 3 vv.1-11 [02'12"]

(23) Hymn: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (Winchester New)

(descant: Christopher Robinson) [02'39"]

IV The God-Bearer

(24) Sentence and Collect [00'57"]

(25) Antiphon: O Emmanuel (plainchant) [00'51"]

(26) Carol: The Angel Gabriel from heaven came (arr. Edgar Pettman) [02'27"]

(27) Seventh lesson: Luke 1 vv.39-49 [01'18"]

(28) Carol: The Annunciation (Jonathan Harvey) [04'13"]

(29) Magnificat: Service in G (Herbert Sumsion) [04'30"]

(30) Eighth lesson: John 3 vv.1-8 [01'35"]

(31) Sentence and The Christmas Collect [00'58"]

(32) Carol: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day (John Gardner) [02'21"]

(33) Hymn: Lo! He comes with clouds descending (Helmsley) (descant: Robinson) [05'15"]

(34) The College Prayer and The Blessing [00'55"]

(35) Organ Voluntary: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 661)

(Johann Sebastian Bach) [03'01"]

links:

Peter Tranchell

Otto Goldschmidt

Michael Finnissy

Jonathan Harvey

Herbert Sumsion

Ignacio Mañá Mesas

James Anderson-Besant

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

download:

Wednesday, 26 February 2020

Evensong on Ash Wednesday - St John's College Choir Cambridge

Evensong on Ash Wednesday

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

John Challenger, organ

DIR.: ANDREW NETHSINGHA

recorded: February 25, 2009, Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge

(01) Collect [03'21"]

(02) Preces - Thomas TOMKINS (1572-1656) [01'23"]

(03) Psalm 51 - Gregorio ALLEGRI (1582-1652): Miserere mei Deus [12'41"]

(04) First Lesson - Isaiah 1 vv10-18 [02'13"]

(05) Canticles (1) - William BYRD (c1540-1623): Short Service (Magnificat) [04'31"]

(06) Second Lesson - Luke 15 vv 11-32 [03'42"]

(07) Canticles (2) - William BYRD: Short Service (Nunc dimittis) [02'02"]

(08) Creed [01'03"]

(09) Lord's Prayer and Responses - Thomas TOMKINS [05'47"]

(10) Anthem - William BYRD: Tribulationes civitatum [09'46"]

(11) Hymn - Lord Jesus, think on me (Southwell) [03'05"]

(12) Organ Voluntary - Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750):

Prelude in c minor (BWV 546.1) [06'32"]

links:

St John's College Choir, Cambridge

download:

Sunday, 10 March 2019

Evensong on Ash Wednesday - St John's College Choir Cambridge

Evensong on Ash Wednesday

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

James Anderson-Besant, organ

DIR.: ANDREW NETHSINGA

rec: March 6, 2019, Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge

lossless (flac)

source: BBC Radio 3 (digital radio)

recorded with harddisc recorder

(01) Collect [02'23"]

(02) Preces - William BYRD (1543-1623) [01'16"]

(03) Psalm 51 - Gregorio ALLEGRI (1582-1652) Miserere mei Deus [13'05"]

(04) First Lesson - Isaiah 1 vv.10-18 [02'06"]

(05) Canticles (1) - Thomas WEELKES (1576-1623): The Short Service (Magnificat) [03'00"]

(06) Second Lesson - Luke 15 vv.11-32 [03'18"]

(07) Canticles (2) - Thomas WEELKES: The Short Service (Nunc dimittis) [01'40"]

(08) Creed, Lord's Prayer & Responses - William BYRD [07'43"]

(09) Anthem - William BYRD: Ne irascaris, Domine [10'50"]

(10) Organ Voluntary - Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750):

Prelude in e minor (BWV 548.1) [07'28"]

links:

Gregorio Allegri

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

James Anderson-Besant

download:

Sunday, 9 December 2018

A Service for Advent with Carols - St John's College Choir Cambridge/Andrew Nethsingha

A Service for Advent with Carols

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Glen Dempsey, organ

Ignacio Mañá Mesas, saxophone (22)
Jakob Lindberg, lute (13)

DIR.: ANDREW NETHSINGHA

rec: Nov 25, 2018, Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge

lossless (flac)

source: BBC Radio 3 (digital radio)

recorded with harddisc recorder Dec 2, 2018

A Service for Advent with Carols is part of a long tradition, and is broadcast every year by BBC Radio 3 on the first Sunday of Advent. It is a mixture of music and spoken text in a fixed order. I have kept the service in the form it has been performed.

(01) Carol: Adam lay ybounden (Ord) [01'20"]
(02) Processional Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel! (Veni Emmanuel)

(descant: David Hill) [04'20"]
(03) Bidding Prayer [02'31"]
(04) Carol: E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come (Paul Manz) [02'54"]

I The Message of Advent
(05) Sentence and Collect [00'59"]
(06) Antiphons: O Sapientia - O Adonai (plainchant) [01'57"]
(07) First lesson: Isaiah 11 vv.1-5 [01'07"]
(08) Carol: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day (James Burton) [04'43"]
(09) Second lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5 vv.1-11 [01'55"]
(10) Sacred Song: Einklang (Hugo Wolf) [02'03"]

II The Word of God
(11) Sentence and Collect [00'53"]
(12) Antiphons: O Radix Jesse - O Clavis David 01'52"]
(13) Aria: Ach, so lass von mir dich finden (TWV 1,1657a) (Telemann) [03'27"]
(14) Third lesson: Micah 4 vv.1-4 [01'33"]
(15) Carol: The Linden Tree Carol (Trad, arr. Reginald Jacques) [01'55"]
(16) Fourth lesson: Luke 4 vv.14-21 [01'32"]
(17) Hymn: Come, thou long-expected Jesus (Cross of Jesus)

(descant: Christopher Robinson) [02'10"]

III The Prophetic Call
(18) Sentence and Collect [01'00"]
(19) Antiphons: O Oriens - O Rex Gentium [01'56"]
(20) Carol: A Prayer to St John the Baptist (Cecilia McDowall) [04'19"]
(21) Fifth lesson: Malachi 3 vv.1-7 [02'07"]
(22) Carol: Vox clara ecce intonat (Gabriel Jackson) [04'55"]
(23) Sixth lesson: Matthew 3 vv.1-11 [02'09"]
(24) Hymn: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (Winchester New)

(descant: Christopher Robinson) [02'19"]

IV The God-Bearer
(25) Sentence and Collect [00'55"]
(26) Antiphon: O Emmanuel [00'55"]
(27) Carol: There is no rose (Elizabeth Maconchy) [01'52"]
(28) Seventh lesson: Luke 1 vv.39-49 [01'44"]
(29) Carol: Bogoroditse Dyevo (Arvo Pärt) [01'17"]
(30) Carol: A Spotless Rose (Herbert Howells) [03'34"]
(31) Magnificat: Watson in E (Sidney Watson) [03'32"]
(32) Eighth lesson: John 3 vv.1-8 [01'44"]
(33) Sentence and Christmas Collect [01'01"]
(34) Carol: Noe, noe (David Bednall) [03'06"]
(35) Hymn: Lo! he comes with clouds descending (Helmsley)

(descant: Christopher Robinson) [05'24"]
(36) College Prayer and Blessing [00'56"]
(37) Organ Voluntary: Chorale Prelude on 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland'

(BWV 661) (JS Bach) [03'06"]

links:

Cecilia McDowall

Gabriel Jackson

Elizabeth Maconchy

Herbert Howells

David Bednall
Glen Dempsey

Ignacio Mañá Mesas

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

download:

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