A Winter Solstice
On the shortest and darkest day of the year, almost universally a day of festival, Mark Tully looks at celebrations of the winter solstice, from ancient Rome to downtown LA.
This Sunday before Christmas falls on the Winter Solstice. The shortest day of the year is a turning point in the calendar that has been celebrated throughout history. There are examples of Winter Solstice Festivals to be found in most cultures and the need to celebrate on the darkest day seems universal.
Mark Tully examines the antecedents of the midwinter festival and explores the human need to celebrate the cold and dark with warmth and light. From Ancient Rome to downtown LA and from pagan Scandinavia to modern China, he presents a celebration of a Winter Solstice - with readings from the work of John Keats, Ruth Fainlight and Craig Childs and music by Monteverdi, Franz Schubert and the Vienna Klezmer Band.
The readers are David Holt, Francis Cadder and Lucy Briers.
Produced by Frank Stirling
A Unique production for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.
Last on
Music Played
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Trad.
Mai Tang Yuan
Performer: Jing Yin Fang.- The Legendary Chinese Hits, Vol. 19.
- EMI Hong Kong / EMI Music Distribution.
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Claudio Monteverdi
This Endris Night
Performer: John Eliot Gardiner/Monteverdi Choir.- Once As I Remember....
- Eloquence.
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Trad.
The Holly and the Ivy
Performer: Choir of Kingβs College, Cambridge.- Christmas At King's.
- Polygram.
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Jethro Tull
Ring Out Solstice Bells
- Songs from the Wood.
- Chrysalis Records.
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Franz Schubert
Ήσ°ωΓΌ³σ±τΎ±²Τ²΅²υ³Ω°ω²Ή³ά³Ύ
Performer: Dietrich FischerβDieskau. Performer: Gerald Moore.- Winterreise.
- Universal.
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F. Jagoda
Ocho Kandelikas
Performer: Vienna Klezmer Band.- Erran Baron Cohen Presents: Songs in the Key of Hanukkah.
- New Line Records.
Readings
Title: Solstice
Author: Ruth Fainlight
Published by Bloodaxe Books in βRuth Fainlight β New & Collected Poemsβ.
Title: Solstice
Author: Anna Wigley
Published by Gomer Press Β in βWaking In Winterβ
Title: Winter SolsticeΒ
Author: Harold Monro
Published by Laurel Books in βStrange Meetingsβ.
Title: Towards The Winter Solstice
Author: Timothy Steele
Published by Swallow Press/Ohio University PressΒ
Title: Happy Insensibility
Author: John Keats
Published by Oxford Paperbacks in βPalgrave's Golden Treasuryβ
Title: The Animal Dialogues: Uncommon Encounters in the Wild
Author: Craig Childs
Published by Back Bay Books
Broadcasts
- Sun 21 Dec 2014 06:05ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 21 Dec 2014 23:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4