Downloads:
Although the roots of Carols can be traced back much earlier, carols in their present form started as circle dances with song by Franciscan friars - not attached to any particular season. As the popularity of Christmas took over, popular folk tunes were pressed into service with new Christmas and seasonal lyrics.
They have survived the test of time. Each year they are brought out again because of some magical quality that makes them necessary for wellbeing in the depths of winter and the time of least sunlight.
With time they get tarnished - like silver losing its shine because of the sulphur in the atmosphere (since the industrial revolution). Carols got overlaid with words often appropriate for Victorian romance and morality, and were sung repeatedly every Christmas for hundreds of years.
The Mosaic Orchestra, we found ourselves in the task of cleaning and restoring them, giving these old friends a new setting, adding new influences, links and complimentary jewels to bring them up to date...
...to hopefully fill them with the light they once had when they arrived, thanks to the sensitive souls who caught their influence in a melody as it passed through.
Gavin Beckwith on behalf of The Mosaic Orchestra
