Yaldo is a 15-part nativity cantata which uses the languages of Biblical times (Greek, Aramaic & Hebrew) to tell the familiar Christmas story. This is a live recording of the premiere, made on December 9th 2018 in St John's Newbury, with Newbury Chamber Choir, and a team of instrumental soloists, conducted by Edward Lambert.

6. Bthu-lto yel-dath dumoro: taw nizal neth-ba-qe beh.
Bqa-shish men do-ré dab’az-ru-ré krikh.
So-bo ’a-tiq yaw-motho di-let-teh bthulto.
Gaboro datqal turé za-yah-teh ’laym-tho
Hou yo-heb lahmo lkaf-né: wi-neq hal-bo akh shab-ro
Bro dlayt wo leh shu-royo: sbo wah-wo leh shu-royo
Wetho lmaw-lodo wshu-lomo layt leh

The Virgin begot a miracle, let us go contemplate
the Ancient of Days wrapped in swaddling clothes;
the Elder, was born of a virgin; the Mighty One,
Who hung mountains, is carried by a maiden.
He, Who feeds the hungry, sucks milk like an infant;
the Son, Who has no beginning, decided to have a beginning;
He was born, yet He is without end.
Syriac Hymn: Bkul Medem eth-Baqith

The spiritual heart of the whole cantata – this should be a hushed and luminous contemplation of the mystery of the incarnation, slowly building in a series of waves to the thunderous exultation of the seraphim. The shofar-like exclamations of the saxophone echo the distinctive opening phrase of Victoria's Missa O Magnum Mysterium, or perhaps it could be seen as Gabriel's trumpet announcing the incarnation.

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