Watch Carols from Kings online: Episode 2010 Carols from King's - 2010

CAROLS FROM KING'S - ORDER OF SERVICE WITH NOTES Once in Royal David's City. Choir and congregation The words by Mrs C F Alexander come from a set of 'Hymns for Little Children' (1824). The tune 'Irby' was written as a Christmas carol by Henry John Gauntlett and published in 1849. Gauntlett became organist at the age of 10 in the church where his father was the vicar, but went on to work as a lawyer for 15 years before becoming a professional musician who wrote over 1,000 hymn tunes. The descant is by Stephen Cleobury. Bidding Prayer A Tender Shoot Choir Music by Otto Goldschmidt (1829-1907). This German composer was a pupil of Mendelssohn and moved to London in 1858 where he became organist of two churches in Wimbledon and founded the London Bach Choir with whom he conducted the first complete performance in English of Bach's B minor Mass. This is the Truth Sent from Above Choir This is a traditional carol from Herefordshire, collected and arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and published in 1919. As is very common, only the first five verses are performed here. First reading: Isaiah 9 Isaiah speaks of the peace that Christ brings. Sussex Carol [On Christmas Night All Christians Sing] Choir A traditional carol from Sussex, also collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The sparkling arrangement is by Philip Ledger, Stephen Cleobury's predecessor as Director of Music of King's College Chapel. The Holly and the Ivy Choir The words are a traditional English carol collected in Gloucestershire by Cecil Sharp and published in 1911. The tune comes from France, and is arranged here by June Nixon, one of Australia's best known organists, choir trainers and composers. Dr Nixon has been Organist and Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne since 1973 Second reading: The Heart in Waiting, by Kevin Crossley Holland The English poet Kevin Crossley-Holland has written eight collections of poetry and has translated Beowulf and other Anglo Saxon texts. He is also known as a writer for children and librettist. In dulci jubilo Choir Music: Probably 14th century. This arrangement dates from 1834 and is by the English composer R L de Pearsall (1795-1856), who was originally a lawyer, but moved to a Germany in 1825 and devoted himself to music thereafter. Words: from 14th century when they are said to have been taught to a German mystic by angels. Verse 3 was added in the 16th century. This is a 'macaronic' carol, which means it's in more than one language. The meanings of the Latin phrases are below: In dulci jubilo: With sweet jubilation In praesepio: In a manger Matris in gremio: In your mother's lap Alpha es et O: You are Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) O Jesu parvule: O baby Jesus O puer optime: O best of boys O princeps gloriae: O prince of glory Trahe me post te: Take me after you O Patris caritas: O love of the Father O nati lenitas: O mercy of the Son Per nostra criminal: For our sins Coelorum gaudia: The joys of heaven Ubi sunt gaudia: Where there are joys Nova cantica: New songs In Regis curia: In the courts of the King Winter's Wait Choir This is a new carol for 2010 written during the wintry weather in January 2010. The words are by Robert Tear, a former King's College Choral Scholar, and for many years one of British music's most distinguished tenors. Robert Tear is an Honorary Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. Music by the British composer James Whitbourn, who has a long association with King's College Choir. Whitbourn studied music at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was a choral scholar before starting his career as producer, composer and conductor. Whitbourn and Tear are regular collaborators. Third reading: Luke 2 St Luke relates the birth of Jesus Away in a Manger Treble soloist and choir Both words and music come from the USA. The origin of the words is uncertain: verses 1 and 2 were published in 1885, and verse 3 in 1892. The music by the American hymn writer William L Kirkpatrick appeared in 1895. This arrangement is by Stephen Cleobury. Ding! Dong! Merrily on High Choir The words by G R Woodward (1848-1934) are from the 20th century, while the tune is a 16th century French dance. The carol first appeared in 1924. The highly entertaining arrangement is by Dr Mack Wilberg, Director of Music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen Choir and congregation This is a traditional hymn / carol from the West Country of England, set to a traditional English tune. The arrangement is by Sir David Willcocks, a previous director of King's College choir. Fourth reading: At the Manger, by W H Auden Mary watches over her sleeping child and wonders with forboding where his journey will take him. W H Auden (1907-1973) is an English poet and naturalised US citizen. This poem comes from For the Time Being, A Christmas Oratorio, written in the early 1940s. Maria Sitzt am Rosenhag Choir Words by Martin Boelitz. The carol begins: Maria sits among the roses and rocks her Jesus child While the warm summer breeze sighs in the treetops A bird sings softly and sweetly in the branches Sleep now, sweet baby Music by Max Reger (1873-1916), a German pianist, organist, teacher and composer. This piece comes from his Simple Melodies, opus 76. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day Choir This English traditional carol was first published in 1833, but the text suggests it was written earlier. There are in fact 11 verses which relate the whole of Christ's story, but only a few are traditionally sung on Christmas Eve. The carol is written in the voice of Christ, and the "True Love" it refers to is may be the soul of each Christian, or, more generally, fallen humanity. The arrangement is by Sir David Willcocks. Fifth reading: Matthew 2 The wise men journey to the manger Coventry Carol Choir with treble solo The words are taken from the 15th century pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors in the English midland city of Coventry. Music by the English composer Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988), who taught music at the universities of Leeds, Edinburgh and Oxford. I Saw Three Ships Choir with soloists Words and music are both English traditional. The very lively arrangement is by the distinguished British organist and conductor Simon Preston, who was organ scholar at King's. He went on to take charge of the music at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and in between 1981 and 1987 he was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey. The First "Nowell" Choir and congregation The words and music both come from the English West Country. This arrangement is by Sir David Willcocks. Although the BBC receives complaints about misspelling 'Nowell', this is in fact the correct spelling of the English version of the French Noël. The word is either a general Christmas expression of joy, or more technically, a non-liturgical popular verse song. Sixth reading: Innocent's Song by Charles Causley Herod's influence is felt throughout the centuries Charles Causley (1917-2003) was a Cornish poet and writer. This entertainingly sinister poem dates from the 1970s. Illuminare Jerusalem Choir This carol with words from the 15th century was written in 1986 for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College by the British composer Judith Weir, who is herself an alumna of the college. Bethlehem Down Choir Bethlehem Down was written in 1927 by Bruce Blunt (1899-1957) (words) and Peter Warlock (1894-1930) (music). This piece won a newspaper carol competition. Seventh reading: John 1 St John unfolds the great mystery of the incarnation Lux Aurumque Choir This 21st century piece by the American composer Eric Whitacre was written for the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. The text by Edward Esch was translated into Latin by Charles Anthony Silvestri. The English version of the words is: Light, warm and heavy as pure gold and angels sing softly to the new-born babe. Prayer and Blessing O Come All Ye Faithful Choir and congregation This is one of the best-known Christmas hymns ever written and probably dates from the 18th century. The words are often credited to John Francis Wade, who also wrote down the tune.

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