My second choice is another cleverly constructed album of real substance, The Christmas Story from Paul Hillier (Harmonia Mundi USA) *****.  Dorset-born Hillier – music director of two Grammy Award-winning Scandinavian choirs who sing here in English and Latin – has devised a programme of carols with plainchant links, telling the Christmas story rather in the manner of the old Anglican service of Nine Lessons and Carols.
The 65 minutes are designed to be played at a single sitting: the musically curious – and those of genuine religious impulse – will find much that is deeply satisfying.