Celebrate the season of Advent with this stunning selection of repertoire, ranging from Gregorian chant through to a spirited version of much-loved traditional The Twelve Days of Christmas. The centrepiece of this programme is Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols for upper voices and harp – a series of captivating miniatures in which Britten sets haunting melodies alongside moments of joyous declamation. The programme also features a new commission by English composer Joanna Marsh, and traditional carols such as In the Bleak Midwinter and Silent Night to welcome in the festive season.

Programme

Joanna Forbes L’Estrange – O Antiphon Carol
Anon – Angelus ad virginem
Chant – O radix Jesse chant
Joanna Marsh – In Winter’s House
Britten – Ceremony of Carols

Interval

Arr. Pearsall – In dulci jubilo
Elizabeth Poston – The Apple Tree
June Collin – The Quiet Heart
Sweelinck – Hodie Christus natus est
Holst – In the bleak midwinter
Christopher Robinson – Rejoice and be merry
Francis Pott – Balulalow
Grüber arr. Jonathan Rathbone – Silent Night
Arr. Humphris – Twelve days of Christmas
Arr. Short – We wish you a merry Christmas

Artist(s)

Nigel Short, Tenebrae