Allan Palacios Chan unveils a bewitching holiday track, ‘Coventry Carol/What Child is This’

Virtuoso tenor vocalist Allan Palacios Chan released a Christmas track, Coventry Carol/What Child is This’, on November 21st, 2023 via Ars Nova Records. The accompanying music video was shot against the breathtaking backdrop of The Mosaic Mansion in the Hollywood Hills by visionary director Landon Donoho. Celebrated for his magnetic performances and spellbinding genre-bending compositions, the Philippine-born American singer is offering Coventry Carol/What Child is This’ as a prelude to an upcoming crossover album, showcasing Chan’s dexterity in reimagining classic hits and blending genres.

‘Coventry Carol/What Child is This’ weaves together a rich tapestry of chant, baroque, pop, and operatic influences. The track is a synthesis of history and modernity, intertwining the poignant narrative of ‘Coventry Carol,’ echoing the ancient horrors of King Herod’s era, with the tender embrace of ‘What Child is This,’ harmonizing the timeless ‘Greensleeves’ melody. Collaborating with a distinguished team of artists at the Village Studios in LA, Allan Palacios Chan, alongside Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Eric Boulanger and a chamber orchestra create a lush sonic landscape merging antique instruments with crisp modern production and arrangement. The intentional fusion of old and new instruments, including voice, violin, viola, cello, bass, Flauto Dolce (or Blockflöte/Flûte à bec), harp, piano, and lute allows ‘Coventry Carol/What Child is This’ to shine in its own distinct way.

Chan reflects: “With this music and video, I aimed to create something truly beautiful, mysterious and enchanting—what I feel when I think of Christmas.”