Christmas music you haven't heard

Once again it's time for an evening by The Crossing, Donald Nally's 20-voice choir in Philadelphia.  The brilliantly eclectic program includes Thomas Adès ("The Fayrfax Carol" from 1997), Judith Bingham ("The clouded heaven," 1998), two versions of "What child is this" (one arranged by R. Brant Ruggles from 1971, and another by Andrew Gant from 1995), and of course, James MacMillan (Tremunt videntes angeli, 2002) with whom the group has a singular history.  From 2006 come works by Don Michael Dicie and Kerry Andrew, and the world premiere of Et incarnatus est (2007) by David Shapiro.  Anyone who appreciates unusual repertoire immaculately sung by one of the country's most accomplished new choral groups should check it out.  (Friday, Dec. 21 at 8:00 P.M., at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill.)

[Photo by Mark Tassoni: Donald Nally in rehearsal with The Crossing]