Archive Page "A Ceremony of Carols" 17/12/2022
Online Poster
Christmas Concert - 17 12 22
The Concert Programme:
Please click on image for a better view
Christmas Concert
Conductor: Peter Brown; Organist: Alan Gidney
'A Ceremony of Carols'
Harpist: Janet Bennett
The performance in St Paul’s energised the choir. Many in the audience took time to tell choir members how much they’d enjoyed the concert; it was lovely to chat and catch up over mince pies, Stollen and drinks. Thank you to everyone who helped prepare and serve the refreshments.
We began with Britten’s popular masterpiece for choir and harp ‘A Ceremony of Carols’. The choir was blessed to have Janet Bennett; her outstanding playing carried the whole work, always evocative, from sensitive and dynamic warm melodies to shiveringly cold discord! The carol texts are an eclectic mix: Latin, Middle English and Early Modern English. Phrases and moods are sung and passed on – Britten’s music is mournful and joyous, leaving a lasting impression.
The sopranos set the atmosphere and a high expectation of us. The church suddenly is in complete darkness, the congregation rapt in anticipation, then the plainchant rings out as they slowly walk down the aisle, the volume swells and fades as they approach and pass. We are confident that the concert will go well. This festive ‘ceremony’, so called because of the ‘Procession’ and ‘Recession’, will be a great start to Christmas!
Britten’s piece was written for SSA and you still feel the strength of the music, even in this mixed SATB mixed choir version, lies in the interplay between the harp and the two female voices. The soprano and alto singing throughout was delightful and I particularly enjoyed ‘That Yongë Child‘ and the beautiful duet ‘Spring Carol’. Thank you to our soloists Vicky and Frances. Overall, a stunning concert; we delivered in the tricky movement and managed to articulate well and moderate sound to connect with Britten’s texts.
The second half of the concert was a mixture of carols, some traditional, sung with good audience participation. We performed ‘Christmas Eve’, a world premiere of this new carol by Peter Brown who set music to words by Christina Rosetti. What a wonderful new piece! Thank you to Alan Gidney for his perfect organ accompaniment and to Janet Bennett who also gave 3 harp solos. She is such a fabulous harpist.
As the last echoes of the concert give way to lively conversation and laughter in church, we might remember the gift of the baby Jesus and reflect on the perfection of God and the imperfection of humans. “For Christmas bringeth Jesus, brought for us so low.”
"Christmas Eve" words: Christina Rosetti, music: Peter Brown
Please click on the player below to hear a recording of this lovely new carol.
Happy memories! Thank you for looking back over a previous concert- you are a star for exploring our website!!
Please use the button to return to the landing page if you want to explore further!
