Les Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois

Les Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois (the Little Singers of the Wooden Cross, also known as the Little Singers of Paris) were formed in 1907 by Paul Berthier. They were led for nearly 40 years by Mgr. Fernand Maillet, who directs the proceedings on this record of Christmas songs from France and other lands.

Mgr. Maillet

The cover photo above is a still from a film called Moineaux de Paris, in which the choir appeared. There is a clip from the movie on YouTube, in which the choir sings for a minute and a half and Mgr. Maillet speaks for four. I can't believe this was considered fascinating film making, even in 1952, but the good curé apparently liked to talk: he introduces all the songs on this record. I have banded his intros separately.

Even though the cover still is from 1952, this LP didn't come out until 1960. It was recorded in November of that year, possibly in the suitably resonant Salle Wagram, where the choir made other records.