A Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols

For many around the world, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, live from the candlelit Chapel of King's College Cambridge, marks the beginning of Christmas. It is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God. They are interspersed with carols old and new, sung by the world famous chapel choir who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.

The College's Director of Music, Stephen Cleobury, writes: “The commissioned carol this year is by Michael Berkeley, who has set the mediaeval poem This ender night. The first carol I commissioned (in 1983) was from Michael's father, Lennox, who is represented in this service by his I sing of a maiden.

“Significant anniversaries of two composers strongly connected with the carol repertoire and the King's service are marked. Charles Wood (1866-1926) popularised Ding dong! merrily on high, and this is included in the recent arrangement by the American composer Mack Wilberg. Harold Darke (1888-1976) directed the King's Choir during Boris Ord's absence on war service in the early 1940s. His evergreen In the bleak midwinter is included.

“Although the main focus this year is on recent British composers, there are carols in French, German and Spanish, as well as settings not previously heard at King's of the well-known texts Adam lay bounden (composed by Gaynor Howard) and of the Sussex Carol (in an arrangement by Bryan Kelly).”

Director of Music: Stephen Cleobury
Organ Scholar: Richard Gowers
Producer: Philip Billson for the BBC

Publicity contact: SW