2018
The traditional celebration of Christmas from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge. The world-famous choir, directed by Stephen Cleobury, sings a glorious selection of carols.
A solo chorister sings Once in Royal David's City to begin the traditional celebration of Christmas from the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge. The world-famous choir, directed by Stephen Cleobury, sings a glorious selection of carols, including Silent Night (arr. Philip Ledger), What Sweeter Music (John Rutter) and a new carol by Judith Weir, O Mercy Divine. Baritone Roderick Williams and cellist Guy Johnston join the choir for Fantasia on Christmas Carols (Ralph Vaughan Williams). The Christmas story is told in the words of the King James Bible, a poem by Laurentia Johns OSB and a letter written from a soldier in France in 1915, telling of the Christmas Truce.
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Carols from King's 'A Virgin Most Pure'
Duration: 02:52
Order of Service
CAROLS from KING’S 2018
A Celebration of Christmas
from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge
with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
1.ÌýONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY
2.ÌýADAM LAY YBOUNDENÌý
3.ÌýIN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER
4.ÌýReading: LUKE 1
The Angel salutes Mary.
5.ÌýA GREAT AND MIGHTY WONDER arr. James Whitbourn
6. DING! DONG! MERRILY ON HIGH arr. Mack Wilberg
7.ÌýReading: Mary Reflects by Laurentia Johns OSB, Stanbrook Abbey
The poem Mary Reflects, was originally commissioned by St Matthew’s Church, Northampton, for their Christmas Carol Service 2017.
Acknowledgements to Mother Abbess and Sister Laurentia at Stanbrook Abbey.
8.ÌýA VIRGIN MOST PURE arr. Stephen Cleobury
9. Reading: MATTHEW 1
The Birth of Jesus.
10.ÌýIN DULCI JUBLIO arr. Robert de Pearsall
11. AWAY IN A MANGER arr. Stephen Cleobury
12.ÌýReading: MATTHEW 2
The coming of the Magi.
13.ÌýO MERCY DIVINE
Music by Judith Weir. This was commissioned jointly for this year’s Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and for this service with the support of parents of a former Chorister. The cello soloist is Guy Johnston, former Chorister.
14. I SAW THREE SHIPS arr. Simon Preston
15.ÌýReading: MATTHEW 2
The flight into Egypt.
16.ÌýTHE SHEPHERDS’ FAREWELl
17. UNTO US IS BORN A SON
18.ÌýReading: A Letter from The Great War
A letter from Private Cunningham of the 5th Scottish Rifles.
Published in The Scotsman, 5th January 1915.
19.ÌýSTILLE NACHT arr. Philip Ledger
20.ÌýWHAT SWEETER MUSIC
Music by John Rutter. This was commissioned for the 1987 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
21.ÌýReading: JOHN 1
St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
22.ÌýFANTASIA ON CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Music by Ralph Vaughan-Williams. The baritone soloist is Roderick Williams; the cellist is Guy Johnston.
23.ÌýO COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
24.ÌýORGAN VOLUNTARY
Director of Music
Dr STEPHEN CLEOBURY, CBE
Organ Scholars
DONAL McCANN
HENRY WEBSDALE
Chaplain
The Revd ANDREW HAMMOND
Provost
Professor MICHAEL PROCTOR
Dean
The Revd Dr STEPHEN CHERRY
Dean and Director of Studies in Theology, Religion & Philosophy of Religion, King’s College, Cambridge
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Producer | James Whitbourn |
| Director | Pamela Hossick |
| Executive Producer | Hugh Faupel |
Broadcasts
- Christmas Eve 2018 17:50
- Christmas Day 2018 11:00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Atmospheric coverage of the annual festival from King's College, Cambridge