10. Ring in the New

Jeremy Summerly ponders the success of new carols over the last century.

While King's College, Cambridge organist Stephen Cleobury insures a supply of newly commissioned carols for his massive international audience Jeremy wonders whether the popular songs from Berlin's 'White Christmas' to Slade's 'Merry Christmas' don't help sustain a more genuine caroling tradition.

He also recalls his own first experience of carols at Lichfield cathedral where John Rutter's 'Shepherd's Pipe Carol' was an astonishing discovery for the eager young chorister.

And Jeremy also ponders the continued appeal of the carol and why, while it's been in decline throughout its history, it continues to thrive.

The choral conductor and scholar concludes his series tracing the history of the Christmas Carol in Britain.

Producer: Tom Alban

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.