A Star in the East (CD)

A Star in the East Ronn McFarlane and Carolyn Surrick A new holiday album featuring reimagined traditional Christmas favorites alongside new works Musicians: Ronn McFarlane, lute Carolyn Surrick, viola da gamba Jackie Moran, bodhran and banjo It is alchemy. While Ronn McFarlane, and Carolyn Surrick, have both had significant and brilliant careers, their remarkable partnership has led them to this newfound musical life – and that has led to a rethinking and recasting of what a holiday concert can be. Yes, there are favorite Christmas carols. Yes, there is virtuosity, and yes, there are unexpected musical surprises. But there is a journey here. There is wistful memory, there is shared history, there are new stories to tell, and there is joy – joy in the making of the music, joy in the celebration of the season, and joy in the sharing of it. The unspoken communication between these two master musicians is beautiful and deep. Track listing: 1. Carol of the Bells, Mykola Leontovych (1914), arr. Ronn McFarlane God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Traditional English L’Homme Armé, 15th Century Burgundian, arr. Ronn McFarlane 2. O Come, O Come Emmanuel, 15th Century French Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, Traditional Polish I Saw Three Ships, 17th Century English 3. A Star in the East, Ronn McFarlane 4. Greensleeves, Traditional English 5. Sure on this Shining Night, Samuel Barber, op.33, no.13 (1938) 6. Grinch on the Run, Ronn McFarlane Personant Hodie from Piae Cantiones (1582) 7. What Wondrous Love is This from Southern Harnony Walking in the Air, Howard Blake, arr. Ronn McFarlane 8. The Wexford Carol, Traditional Irish, arr. Ronn McFarlane 9. Mizzie Mine, Carolyn Surrick 10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, arr. Ronn McFarlane 11. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light, J.S. Bach (1734), arr. Carolyn Surrick 12. Early Christmas Morning, Ronn McFarlane Gigue 13. Lully Lullay (The Coventry Carol), Robert Croo (1534) 14. Good King Wenceslas, tune from Piae Cantiones (1582)