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with John Toal from Seamus Heaney’s home in Northern Ireland

John Toal introduces seasonal music, features and live performances from pianist Michael McHale and folk musician Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh at The Seamus Heaney Â鶹ԼÅÄPlace.

Join John Toal at The Seamus Heaney Â鶹ԼÅÄPlace in the poet's home village of Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry. One of Heaney’s Christmas traditions was to write a poem for his annual Christmas card. We’ll also hear a heart-warming selection of those in the course of the programme. John also pays homage to Cecil Frances Alexander, who wrote what is the sound of Christmas for many – the glorious Carol, Once In Royal David’s City. He’ll be visiting St. Columb’s Cathedral to see the magnificent stained-glass window which commemorates her and the piece.

Northern Ireland pianist Michael McHale will be adding his own inimitable style to carols with Irish connections and local folk musician Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh will be taking us deep into the Irish tradition, with music including her own magical setting of the Gaelic poem Oíche Nollag (Christmas Eve).

10 days left to listen

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Sun 1 Dec 2024 16:30
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 3

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A Service for Advent with Carols

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with Hannah French and Catrin Finch from Swansea Bay

See all episodes from Carols Across the Country: A Seasonal Journey

Music Played

  • Desmond Earley, UCD Choral Scholars & Irish Chamber Orchestra

    Mykola Leontovych- Carol of the Bells

    • Be All Merry.
    • Signum Records.
    • 11.

  • Rebecca Dale

    Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

    Choir: Tenebrae. Conductor: Nigel Short.
    • Rebecca Dale: Night Seasons.
    • Signum Records.
    • 5.

  • Trad.

    Wexford Carol

    Music Arranger: Michael McHale. Performer: Michael McHale.

  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Choral Society & Anthony Inglis

    Malcom Arnold (arr. Palmer)- The Holly and the Ivy, Fantasy on Christmas Carols

    • Here Come The Classics, Christmas Classics, Vol. 2.
    • RPO.
    • 10.

  • John Rutter & The Cambridge Singers

    John Rutter- A Prayer of St. Patrick

    • Be Thou My Vision: Sacred Music by John Rutter.
    • Collegium.
    • 10.

  • Nodlaig Ni Bhrollaigh

    Don Oíche úd im Beithil / That Night in Bethlehem

  • Nodlaig Ni Bhrollaigh

    Christmas Eve

  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    The Seasons - December: Christmas

    Performer: Michael McHale.

  • Cecil Frances Alexander

    Once in Royal David's City

  • Jess Gillam Ensemble & Jess Gillam

    Holst- In the Bleak Midwinter (Arr. Rimmer)

    • In the Bleak Midwinter (Arr. Rimmer).
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 1.

  • Nigel Short & Tenebrae

    Tchaikovsky- Legend Op. 54, No. 5 "The Crown of Roses"

    • Russian Treasures.
    • Bene Arte.
    • 16.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Handel (arr. Taylor Scott Davis)- Joy to the World from Messiah

    Performer: VOCES8. Choir: VOCES8 Foundation Choir. Orchestra: VOCES8 Foundation Orchestra. Conductor: Barnaby Smith.
    • DECCA.

  • Philip Lane

    Three Christmas Pictures - I. Sleighbell Serenade

    Orchestra: Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Conductor: Gavin Sutherland.
    • Marco-Polo.

  • Philip Lane

    Three Christmas Pictures - II. Starlight Lullaby

    Orchestra: Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Conductor: Gavin Sutherland.
    • Marco-Polo.

  • Philip Lane

    Three Christmas Pictures - III. Christmas Eve Waltz

    Orchestra: Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Conductor: Gavin Sutherland.
    • Marco-Polo.

  • Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh - Vocal/ Harp, Martin OÂ’Kane - Fiddle & Affraic Brophy - Fiddle

    Christmas Medley - instrumental Christmas at Dunluce (Waltz), ending with an Irish traditional version of the Holly and Ivy (feat. Paul Gillespie - Cello & Carra Nic an Bhaird - Harp)

Broadcast

  • Sun 1 Dec 2024 16:30
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 3