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The traditional celebration of Christmas from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge. The world-famous choir, directed by Stephen Cleobury, sings a glorious selection of carols.

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 Silent Night (arr. Philip Ledger), What Sweeter Music (John Rutter) and a new carol by Judith Weir, O Mercy Divine. Baritone Roderick Williams and cellist Guy Johnston join the choir for Fantasia on Christmas Carols (Ralph Vaughan Williams). The Christmas story is told in the words of the King James Bible, a poem by Laurentia Johns OSB and a letter written from a soldier in France in 1915, telling of the Christmas Truce.

1 hour, 15 minutes

Last on

Christmas Day 2018 11:00

Order of Service

CAROLS from KING’S 2018


A Celebration of Christmas

from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge


with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge


1.ÌýONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY


2.ÌýADAM LAY YBOUNDENÌý


3.ÌýIN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER


4.ÌýReading: LUKE 1

The Angel salutes Mary.


5.ÌýA GREAT AND MIGHTY WONDER arr. James Whitbourn


6. DING! DONG! MERRILY ON HIGH arr. Mack Wilberg


7.ÌýReading: Mary Reflects by Laurentia Johns OSB, Stanbrook Abbey

The poem Mary Reflects, was originally commissioned by St Matthew’s Church, Northampton, for their Christmas Carol Service 2017.

Acknowledgements to Mother Abbess and Sister Laurentia at Stanbrook Abbey.


8.ÌýA VIRGIN MOST PURE arr. Stephen Cleobury


9. Reading: MATTHEW 1

The Birth of Jesus.


10.ÌýIN DULCI JUBLIO arr. Robert de Pearsall


11. AWAY IN A MANGER arr. Stephen Cleobury


12.ÌýReading: MATTHEW 2

The coming of the Magi.


13.ÌýO MERCY DIVINE

Music by Judith Weir. This was commissioned jointly for this year’s Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and for this service with the support of parents of a former Chorister. The cello soloist is Guy Johnston, former Chorister.


14. I SAW THREE SHIPS arr. Simon Preston


15.ÌýReading: MATTHEW 2

The flight into Egypt.


16.ÌýTHE SHEPHERDS’ FAREWELl


17. UNTO US IS BORN A SON


18.ÌýReading: A Letter from The Great War

A letter from Private Cunningham of the 5th Scottish Rifles.

Published in The Scotsman, 5th January 1915.


19.ÌýSTILLE NACHT arr. Philip Ledger


20.ÌýWHAT SWEETER MUSIC

Music by John Rutter. This was commissioned for the 1987 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.


21.ÌýReading: JOHN 1

St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.


22.ÌýFANTASIA ON CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Music by Ralph Vaughan-Williams. The baritone soloist is Roderick Williams; the cellist is Guy Johnston.


23.ÌýO COME ALL YE FAITHFUL


24.ÌýORGAN 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
Director Pamela Hossick
Executive Producer Hugh Faupel

Broadcasts

91Èȱ¬ Radio 4: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

91Èȱ¬ Radio 4: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Atmospheric coverage of the annual festival from King's College, Cambridge