Program in Brief

A solis  ortus  cardine
Sarum chant, Worcester antiphoner

A 13th-century chant proclaiming the Christmas story “from the point of the rising sun to the furthest boundaries of earth.”

Green grow'th the holly
King Henry VIII (1491-1547)

A wintertime love song by the young Henry VIII, likening his faithfulness to the evergreen holly.

Nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse
15th-century British carol

A lively medieval carol, calling on people to arise and wake, and listen to the nativity story.

In Winter’s House
Joanna Marsh (b. 1970)

Set to an evocative poem that uses the language of fairy tales to create imagery of light and darkness, and the wonder of a child’s winter dream.

Now winter nights
Roderick Williams (b. 1965)

An atmospheric work that uses jazz harmonies to evoke the longer nights of winter, which bring people closer together with the joy of a warm fire and wine.

Aeterna caeli gloria
Gabriel Jackson (b. 1962)

Jackson’s choral works are known for both their “quiet contemplation and ecstatic abandon,” both of which are on display in this work. His brilliant and virtuosic vocal writing here evokes light bursting forth from darkness.

Benedicamus Domino
Peter Warlock (1894–1930)

Peter Warlock made an enormous contribution to the revival of English medieval and Renaissance music, and his love of early music is clear in this setting of Benedicamus Domino.

Here is the little door
Herbert Howells (1892–1983)

Set to one of the poet and playwright Frances Chesterson’s Christmas Poems, which she wrote annually for her family’s Christmas card.

A spotless Rose
Howells

This beautiful setting of the well-known 14th century German hymn is dedicated to the composer’s mother.

A Hymn of the Nativity
Kenneth Leighton (1929–1988)

This setting of a text by Richard Crashaw, one of the leading metaphysical poets of 17th century English literature, represents Leighton at his most lyrical.

What cheer?
William Walton (1902–1983)

Set to an anonymous 16th-century text, this carol shows Walton’s at his most rhythmic and exuberant.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Rebecca Dale (b. 1985)

A highly distinctive setting of Robert Frost’s well-known poem, set by a young composer who is known especially for her film scores and orchestrations.

There is no rose of such virtue
Lucy Walker (b. 1998)

Known for her passion to make music accessible and inclusive, this rising young composer has created a simple and beautiful rendition of this timeless text.

Lully, lulla, lullay
Philip Stopford (b. 1977)

Stopford’s setting was voted by the public (in a 2021 Twitter poll) as the winner of the World Cup of 21st Century Christmas Carols.

A tender shoot
Kerensa Briggs (b. 1991)

With her choral works described as “alluring and heartfelt,” Briggs sets this traditional text with gentle and expressive harmonies.

Alleluya, a new work is come on hand
Peter Wishart (1921–1984)

Critics have commented on Wishart’s admiration for the music of Igor Stravinsky, which is evident in Alleluya, his most popular and enduring work.

Yorkshire Wassail
arr. by Ian Humphris (1927–2012)

Hearkening back to pre-Christian fertility rites wherein villagers poured cider on the roots of trees to encourage fruit, this carol evokes the tradition of wassailers going door to door, singing and drinking to the health of those whom they visit.