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.
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 the Sussex Carol (arr. Ledger), O Holy Night (arr. Rutter), Away in a Manger (arr. Willcocks) and O Magnum Mysterium (Lauridsen).
The Christmas story is told in the words of the King James Bible and in poems by Christina Rossetti and Christopher Pilling.
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Clips
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Carols from King's 'Magi's Dream'
Duration: 03:24
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Carols from King's 'The Linden Tree Carol'
Duration: 02:53
Order of Service
CAROLS from KING’S 2017
A Celebration of Christmas
from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge
with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
1. SUSSEX CAROLarr. Philip Ledger
2.Reading: LUKE 1
The Angel Gabriel brings glad tidings to Mary.
3. GABRIEL’S MESSAGE arr. Pettman
4. A SPOTLESS ROSE Herbert Howells
5. Reading: LUKE 1
Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth.
6. THE LINDEN TREE CAROL arr. Stephen Cleobury
7. THERE IS NO ROSE John Joubert
8. Reading: LUKE 2
Mary’s son is born in Bethlehem.
9. AWAY IN MANGER arr, David Willcocks
10. THE HOLLY AND THE IVY arr. June Nixon
11. GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMEN arr. David Willcocks
12. Reading: Christmas Eve by Christina Rossetti
In her poem ‘Christmas Eve’ Christina Rossetti invites the whole creation to celebrate the birth of Christ.
13. THE SHEPHERD’S CAROL Bob Chilcott
14. O HOLY NIGHT Adolphe Adam
15. Reading: The Meeting Place by Christopher Pilling
Christopher Pilling’s poem ‘The Meeting Place’ is an invitation to wonder at the adoration of the magi.
16. WE THREE KINGS arr. Martin Neary
17. THE MAGI’S DREAM James Whitbourn
18. Reading: MATTHEW 2
Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee as refugees to Egypt.
19. ILLUMINARE JERUSALEM Judith Weir
20. THE SHEPHERD’S FAREWELL Berlioz
21. Reading: JOHN 1
St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
22. O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM Morten Lauridsen
23. O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL arr. David Willcocks
24. ORGAN 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 |
| Producer | Pamela Hossick |
| Director | Pamela Hossick |
| Executive Producer | Dave Stanford |
Broadcasts
Featured in...
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Christmas TV 2017
The home of Christmas 2017 across BBC television.
BBC Radio 4: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Atmospheric coverage of the annual festival from King's College, Cambridge
