CANTEMUS Chamber Choir is set to release their Christmas CD which was recorded in Penarth.

On Friday, November 13, the choir will release a selection of Christmas music entitled Nativity which was recorded at St Augustine’s Church.

Cantemus is made up of around 30 experienced singers mainly from the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff.

The choir is directed by Swansea-born Huw Williams, who is director of music at Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James’ Palace, and a former principal organist at St Paul’s Cathedral. Mr Williams has been conductor of Cantemus since 2011, and Nativity is the first CD that the choir has released under his direction.

The disc features a wide variety of beautiful carols and Christmas anthems – both old and new - from all over the world. It was recorded at the church earlier this year, and is the first CD of Christmas music made by the choir. Cantemus' former music director, Robert Court, who is organist at St Augustine’s and for Cardiff University, accompanies the choir on the church’s fine William Hill organ.

Compositions by Welsh composers William Mathias and H Walford Davies feature on the disc, as well as works by popular composers such as John Tavener, Herbert Howells, Benjamin Britten and Eric Whitacre.

Two of Huw Williams's own arrangements are on the CD, as is Robert Court's arrangement of the popular Welsh lullaby, Suo-Gân.

Nativity has been produced by Regent Records. It will be available via mail order from the choir’s website - cantemus.co.uk – and from all mainstream high street and online outlets.

Cantemus’ Music Director, Huw Williams, said: “I’ve worked with Cantemus for four years and I’m thrilled to be launching this CD. It shows this magnificent choir in a variety of styles and musical colours. There are expressive performances of the Christmas classics and some beautiful pieces by Welsh composers. I look forward to performing some of these works again at our Christmas Gala concert on December 18.”

To hear the songs sung live attend the Charity Christmas Concert at Llandaff Cathedral on December 18 in association with Diabetes UK.

Beforehand they will perform Handel’s Messiah, with Elin Manahan Thomas as soprano soloist on December 4 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

The CD will be on sale at both concerts. For more information visit cantemus.co.uk.