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 English.
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.
All proceeds go to the Marionettes Property Fund.
You can also order from members; on our website; on iTunes, Amazon, and your favourite legal music downloading sites. And if you’re in Trinidad, you can pick them up at:
All proceeds go to the Marionettes Property Fund.
DISC 1
1 The holy city
2 Ose shalom
3 Here they come! (Carmen)
4 Cantique de Jean Racine
5 O fortuna (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
11 When the saints go marching in (Male Chorus)
12 Wade in the water
13 One moment in time
14 Salguiero
15 Pan by storm
16 Morena osha
17 Sayamanda
18 The Ganges and the Nile
19 Battle hymn of the republic
DISC 2
1 Jingle bells
2 The very best time of year
3 Do you hear what I hear
4 Gesù bambino
5 For unto us a child is born
6 The Coventry carol
7 Silent night/O little town of Bethlehem
8 A adorar al niño
9 The friendly beasts (Ladies’ ensemble)
10 A cradle in Bethlehem
11 Child of God
12 The lion sleeps tonight
13 Uyai mose
14 Christmas medley (Scrunter)
15 Hallelujah (Messiah)