Two CDs (one of evergreen international favourites, one of Trinidad & Tobago and Caribbean Christmas classics) with 34 timeless tracks — classical, spirituals, gospel, pop, opera, calypso, parang, samba, and more. Featuring the Marionettes adult, youth and children’s choirs, and the Renegades Steel Orchestra.

About Landmarks

This anniversary double-CD contains some of the favourite pieces performed by the choir over the years. The music spans five centuries and many cultures. The first CD ranges widely over the Marionettes’ repertoire, while the second focuses on the music of Christmas, the season of the choir’s biggest annual production.

The selected performances reflect the cultural range of this versatile Caribbean-based choir. Alongside classic items by Handel, Bizet and Fauré is music from Africa, Israel  Brazil and Venezuela. The texts are in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Shona, Hebrew, Latin and Trinidad creole.

Some of the music is sung a cappella, some to the accompaniment of a simple keyboard, some with a full steel orchestra (the BP Renegades). The choir’s own orchestra is highly flexible, functioning as a symphonic ensemble and in various instrumental combinations, often with steelpan and African drums.

The Marionettes may be fifty years old, but they are providing for a long-term future: a youth chorale was added in 1995, and a children’s choir in 2012. All three choirs perform on this album, on their own and in combination. US-trained choral conductor Roger Henry became the Marionettes’ Assistant Musical Director in October 2012.

Track listing

CD 1

1. The Holy City (Marlon De Bique)
2.  Ose Shalom (Tamika-Diandra Joseph)
3. Here They Come! (from Carmen)
4. Cantique De Jean Racine
5. O Fortuna (From Carmina Burana)
6. Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
7. Down By the Riverside
8. When You’re Smiling (Children’s Choir)
9. This Ol’ Man (Children’s Choir)
10. I Want Jesus to Walk With Me (Paul Bonadie)
11. When the Saints Go Marching In (Male Chorus)
12. Wade in the Water
13. One Moment in Time
14. Salguiero (Brazilian Folk)
15. Pan By Storm (Calypso)
16. Morena Osha (Calypso)
17. Sayamanda (Calypso)
18. The Ganges and the Nile (Calypso)
19. Battle Hymn of the Republic (WITH BP Renegades Steel Orchestra)

CD 2

1. Jingle Bells
2. The Very Best Time of Year
3. Do You Hear What I Hear
4. Gesu Bambino
5. For Unto Us a Child Is Born (From the Messiah, WITH BP Renegades Steel Orchestra)
6. The Coventry Carol
7. Silent Night / O Little Town of Bethlehem (Medley)
8. A Adorar Al Nino (Venezuelan Carol)
9. The Friendly Beasts (Ladies Chorus)
10. A Cradle in Bethlehem
11. Child of God (MALE CHORUS)
12. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
13. Uyai Mose (Zimbabwe / Shona / Bantu Carol) (Leigh-Andra Leach)
14. Leroy / Madame Jeffrey / Merry Christmas (Scrunter Soca Parang Medley)
15. Hallelujah (From the Messiah, WITH BP Renegades Steel Orchestra)