A Christmas Carol is Skylark Vocal Ensemble’s latest album at Native DSD. This is an imaginative choral-narrative retelling of Charles Dickens’s beloved 1843 story. Artistic Director Matthew Guard curates an abridged version of the original text, brought to life through narration by Stage, Film and TV Star Christine Baranski.
Along with a newly composed, fully integrated score by Benedict Sheehan. The result is a “story score” that merges spoken word, original choral writing, and familiar traditional carols into a unified dramatic arc—an innovative approach that transforms the classic tale into a deeply musical experience.
Listeners are guided through Scrooge’s journey by a narrator whose storytelling is interwoven with Skylark’s expressive vocal writing, creating a cinematic atmosphere that moves from the mysterious chill of winter to the warmth and jubilation of redemption. The ensemble’s luminous choral textures, paired with Sheehan’s evocative musical language, amplify the emotional sweep of the narrative and offer both the intimacy of a Christmas carol service and the scale of a theatrical production. A Christmas Carol stands as a distinctive, immersive holiday album that blends tradition with contemporary artistry.
Christine Baranski, Narrator
Skylark Vocal Ensemble
Matthew Guard, Conductor
Tracklist
Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.Total time: 01:14:43
Additional information
| Label | |
|---|---|
| SKU | ARR0001D |
| Qualities | DSD 512 fs, DSD 256 fs, DSD 128 fs, DSD 64 fs, DXD 24 Bit, FLAC 192 kHz, FLAC 96 kHz |
| Channels | |
| Artists | |
| Composers | |
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| Original Recording Format | |
| Recording Location | Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill, MA |
| Recording Engineer | Daniel Shores |
| Producer | John K. Cox |
| Instruments | |
| Editing | Matthew Guard |
| Mixing | Daniel Shores |
| Mastering | Daniel Shores |
| Assistant Engineer | Andrew Moreland |
| Release Date | December 5, 2025 |
Press reviews
Limelight
Something different, this one. The always interesting vocal ensemble Skylark and Hollywood star Christine Baranski (The Good Wife, Mamma Mia!) have joined forces on an evocative retelling of Charles Dickens’ evergreen seasonal morality tale, A Christmas Carol.
Composer Benedict Sheehan’s inventive choral score is positively filmic, underpinning the narrative with arrangements of traditional carols that slot in neatly alongside the drama, from the scene-setting opener (The Truth from Above) to a rousing God Rest You Merry Gentlemen that suggests a bustling Victorian street scene.
Baranski clearly enjoys herself. Pacing it all to perfection as her gruffness gradually morphs into bonhomie and seasonal joy. Matthew Guard’s conducting is assured, the vocals are to die for and the recorded sound is first-rate.
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