Sunday, November 20, 2022

2022: New Carols, Premiered Carols, Resurrected Carols, and Premiered Christmas Music


2022: New Carols, Premiered Carols, Resurrected Carols, Premiered Christmas Music, and New Commissions

by R. Rojas
Updated February 9, 2023.

We are starting the new Christmas season off to a great start. As you remember, this is a "running list" and updated frequently. We have much to update you on. If we are missing your composition or if your ensemble premiered a Christmas work, please let us know by emailing christmascarolblog@gmail.com. You can also direct message on Instagram @carols_of_christmas or on Facebook @carolsofchristmas.

Note: We are working on some formatting issues. As we a repeatedly updating, we may have some typos here and there.

Commissions



Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge


We have not seen a formal announcement yet, but the 2022 carol commission will be Matthew Martin's "Angelus ad Virginem." Here's a short bio of Martin off the Edington Music Festival's website.

Update: On December 8, 2022, King's College formally announced the commission on which you can see at this link: Commissioned Christmas Eve carol revealed.

BBC Singers Commision

On December 22, 2022, the BBC Singers gave their annual Contemporary Christmas Carols with the BBC Singers. It included a commissioned carol by Adrian Peacock which was "O Radix Jesse."

Clare College

Clare College commissioned Cecilia McDowell for a carol in celebration of the college admitting women and the founding of the choir. Her carol "The Magi" was given its on-air premiere on BBC Radio 3 In Tune. Here's the link which will be available until January 5, 2023. The carol was also performed at the Clare College's Epiphany Service which was featured on BBC Radio 3's Choral Evensong. It will be available on Radio 3 until February 6, 2023.

Fundraisers

Nigel Short's appeal For Cancer Reseach

Please download Tenebrae's "In the Bleak Midwinter" as proceeds will support the Cancer Research UK (on Instagram at @cr_uk). Tenebrae musical director Nigel Short was recently diagnosed with cancer and is now in remission. Short says:

"Earlier this year I was unexpectedly diagnosed with bowel cancer, which was a real shock for me, my family and everyone around us. The NHS responded quickly, getting me in for a successful operation within a few weeks of my diagnosis, and I'm please and relieved to say that I'm now officially in remission. We wanted to do something to support the amazing work that Cancer Research UK does to support everyone affected by cancer. Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for those who are fighting the disease themselves, and for those who have recently lost a loved one or are caring for friends and family. Please consider downloading In the Bleak Midwinter today to support the vital work that this wonderful charity does every day of the year."
       from Tenabre's Instagram @tenebraechoir.

For more information on this appeal: Charity Single - In the Bleak Midwinter.    
Download Link: In the Bleak Midwinter.

Panufnik's Appeal for Refugees

See under Panufnik below for your carol fundraiser for the The British Refugee Council.

St. George Hospital Charity

The London Concert Choir (on Instagram @ondonwconertchoir) performed at their charity carol concert on Dec. 20, 2022 at Holy Trinty Sloane Square to benefit the St. George Hospital Charity (On Instagram @stgeorgeshopitalcharity). Please see the choir's November 25, 2022 Instagram post, on how to donate.

Ealing Choral Society's Charity Carol Concert

The Ealing Choral Society held its Charity Carol Concert, December 10, 2022 at the St. Barnabas Church, in Earling we assume.

Update: The fundraiser raised 5500 pounds. For more information.
More info on Instagram @ealingchoralsoc.

New Arrangements and Compositions 
(more commissions)

In order to keep better track of new music, we have alphabetized by composer. 

Chris Artley - RSCM has published Chris Artley's "Cradle Song" (SATB and organ). Artley's carol is based on William Blake's poem. It was the winner of the Leeds Philharmonic Choir Competition. What year we do not know, but RSCM says Artley has won this competition consecutively. Audio link.

Timothy Banks - has released a score of "A Virgin Most Pure." It is available at Music Spoke. Listen on Soundcloud.

Charlotte Baskerville - On Chichester Press, Charlotte Baskerville has published "On Christmas Night"


Also, Baskerville's "Creator of the Stars of Night" was recently (2022) published by Encore Publications and recently included in the Christ College, Cambridge's Advent Service. @cvb_composer on Instagram.

Evan Blach - Tackling "Silent Night" is Evan Blach via commission. More information on who commissioned it later. @evanblachejr on Instagram.

Gerda Blok-Wilson - has released the score of "Lullay My Liking" which was released last year in the Elora Singers 2021 recording Radiant Dawn. The score is available from Cypress Choral Music. @gerdchoralcomposer on Instagram.

Paul Carr (@paulcarr1961) - The English Arts Chorale (@theenglishartschorale on Instagram) will perform Carr's setting of "In the Bleak Midwinter" for the 150th anniversary of the publication of the poem by Christina Rosetti. It is part of a piece called Four New Seasons that sets twelve poems to the four seasons. It is available on Goodmusic Publications. Listen to score.

Andrew Carter - Banks Music has published Andrew Carter's arrangement for "Song of the Nuns of Chester"(SSA and organ or piano): "First performed on 13th December 2019 in Old Malton Priory Church by the ladies of the Chanticleer Singers of Malton,"

Maria Case - Maria Case, artistic director of The Annex Singers (@annex_singers on Instagram) premiered her work "Winter in Durnover Field". More on Instagram info at @annex_singers. See November 27, 2022 post.

Bob Chilcott - Chilcott released "The Pear Three Carol" on Oxford University Press.  It is set for SATB double choir unaccompanied. Text is by Charles Bennett. 



Pear Tree Carol by Bob Chilcott

The Time Draws Near" by Bob Chilcott

Also on Oxford, he published "The Time draws near," an advent text by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Ray Cook - Also on Chichester Press, Ray Cook has published "The Adoration of the Wise Men" (SATB and organ):



Libby Croad - On November 27, 2022, the Girton College Choir performed Croad's new setting of "See Amid the Winter's Snow." More information at the choir's Instagram @girtoncollegechoir and Croad's Instagram @libbycraodcompsoer. The carol was also performed by the Choir of Christ Church Chelsea directed by Gareth Wilson.

Reena Esmail - there's been a lot of talk about Esmail's "Winter Breviary" (2021). Being recorded by the Gesualdo Six and performed by The Sixteen on their tour, the text is based on Rebecca Gayle Howell's works. Also see Kantorei of Kansas City rehearing it. OUPBlog has a feature on "Winter Breviary" and its writer Rebecca Gayle Howell: A Winter Breviary: Q&A with poet Rebecca Gayle Howell.


Ian Farrington - Farrington, a former organ scholar at the College of St. John's Cambridge, was commissioned to write a carol for the annual Advent Carol Service which is broadcast live via BBC Radio 3. His carol is "Nova, nova" and can be replayed on BBC Radio 3 until December 26, 2022, so hurry and listen to it.

Dan Forrest - The Vox Anima Chamber Choir (UK)(Instagram @voxanimachamberchoir) premiered Dan Forrest's "In the Bleak Midwinter" at their concert "The Light Shines in Darkness" on December 17, 2022. The carol was commissioned by Vox Anima.

Jessica French - Jessica French's orchestra composition Earth, Strike Up Your Music was premiered by St. Olaf Cantorei, Massed Choir, and the St. Olaf Orchestra at their annual Christmas Festival. It was commission by St. Olaf College. The composer says on her Instagram (@frenchie384) that the composition is a version "for choir and full orchestra." I believe you can catch the playback of the Christmas festival on Minnesota Public Radio: 2022 St. Olaf Christmas Festival.

Ola Giello - has released a winter-themed composition and a carol piano arrangement. The first is "Wintertide" (SSAATTBB). "Wintertide" was previously released on previous recording. The second is "Once in Royal David's City" for piano. The text of "Wintertide" is from Matias Skard with English translation by Tony Silvestri. Also, The Houston Choral Society premiered two works they commissioned from Giello. They are "Alleluia" and "Ave Maria." Although not necessarily Christmas works, they were premiered in April 2022.


Houston Choral Society performing Ola Giello's "Ave Maria"

Houston Choral Society performing Ola Giello's "Alleluia"


Emily Green - The Exultate Chamber Singers announced on their Instagram (@exultatechambersingers) they will premiere a work by Emily Green at their "What the Silence Offers" concert on December 10, 2022.

Patrick Hawes - Hawes mentioned his Facebook page that he was putting the finishing touches on a new Christmas choral works to be recorded by Voce, Inc. in January 2023.

Paul Hennesee - has put out a composition using the text of Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowing Evening," or as Hennesee says, he's "bringing it out again." The poem has seen some copyright trolling by the Robert Frost Estate in the past when other composers have set it. Apparently, it is in the public domain now.

Emma Johnson - has published Songs of Celebration: For Clarinet and Upper Voices. The collection includes "I sing of a maiden," "He is born," "Precious gift," and "There is no rose." It is available from Encore Publications.





Recordings of "I sing of a maiden" were recently released on Emma Johnson's Songs of Celebration (Nimbus 2022) with the Choir of Gloucester Cathedral under Adrian Partington.



It was also recorded on A Pembroke Christmas (Signum Classics) by the Choir of Pembroke College, Cambridge under Anna Lapwood.


Thomas Hewitt 
- Stiener & Bell has published "The Shepherds' Tale" (SATB, flute, harp or piano, organ, or strings) by Thomas Hewitt Jones with text by Mat Harney.

Francesca Hauser
- The Exultate Chamber Singers announced on their Instagram (@exultatechambersingers) they will premiere a work by Houser at their "What the Silence Offers" concert on December 10, 2022.

Tasmin Jones - St. Wulframe, Grantham under the direction of Dr. Tim Williams will premiere Jones' "Hodie Christus Natus Est" which they commissioned from the composer. It will be sung at their Festival of Nine Lesson and Carols, December 23, 2022. 

Piers Conner Kennedy -     In March 2022, Christ Church Cathedral Choir made their first album recording under Director Steven Grahl. Three of Piers' pieces including his setting of A Spotless Rose are amongst other choral works for Christmas, due for release in December 2022. Link: https://www.piersconnorkennedy.com/copy-of-listen-1

Erik KreemThe Exultate Chamber Singers announced on their Instagram (@exultatechambersingers) they will premiere a work by Kreem at their "What the Silence Offers" concert on December 10, 2022. 

Kai LeungThe Exultate Chamber Singers announced on their Instagram (@exultatechambersingers) they will premiere a work by Kai Leung at their "What the Silence Offers" concert on December 10, 2022.

Simon Lindley - Banks has also published "O, hearken, for this is a wonder!: A Carol for Christmas" by Simon Lindley and text by Laurence Houseman.

Joanna Forbes L'Estrage - has published two new carols with RSCM. They include "I Will Hold Him: An Annunciation Carol," and Cristina Rossetti's "In the Bleak Midwinter"(SSAA and Harp or piano).  L'Estrage's carol "Advent 'O' Carol" is included in Tenebrae's new Christmas album In Winter's House (Signum Classics). @joforbesmusician on Instagram.

Peter Lawson - Lawson's "Holy, the Night" has been published with Goodmusic. It used the music to the 2nd movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata in C, Op. 13. The text is by Lawson. A preview score and audio clip can be found at this link. Also, he published "Shepherds Watch'd Peacefully" for choir and orchestra was published by Goodmusice Publishing also. Is uses the music of Franz Schubert's Impromptu No. 3, Op. 90 with text by Lawson.

Helen MacKinnon - Helen MacKinnon also has a version of "Silent Night" also out in SATB, SAB, and SSA with piano. @composerhelen on Instagram.

Cecilia McDowall - McDowall's carol "The Magi" was given its on-air premiere on BBC Radio 3 In Tune on December 6, 2022. Here's the link which will be available until January 5, 2023.

Grace-Evangeline Mason - Boosey & Hawkes has released the score of Mason's "A Winter Carol." It is also available on Spoftify on their New Choral Music: Christmas 2 as well as on YouTube:



Simon Mold - has published "Children at the Manger" (SSA and piano) on Chichester Press:


Christopher Moore - Moore was commissioned by Choir & Organ's New Music series to write a carol and he wrote "Balulalow." It was premiered in Germany by VOCES8 in early December and performed again on December 19, 2022. The score is available at Choir and Organ Magazine's website until April 30, 2023. Download link. For more information, see the magazine's website.

Julio Morales - Morales' version of "Ven a mis Casa Esta Navidad" ("Come to my house, this Christmas"), a popular Latin American Christmas song, was written for the Reveille Men's Chorus.

David MuttiAnother one on Chichester Press is David Mutti's arraignment of "Away in a Manger":


Roxana Panufnik - Panufnik has written the carol "Sleep, Jesus, Sleep" to raise funds for The British Refugee Council.  The carol was performed on December 4, 2022 at Eton. It was also be performed by the St. Georges Chapel Windor Castle on Dec. 5, 2022 to be performed at the Royal Halloway by its choir on Dec. 9, 2022. For more information please visit: https://gofundme.com/f/refugee-fundraising-carol. For more information follow Panufnik's Instagram at @roxannapanufnik.

Owen Park - On December 13, 2022, Owen Park's version of the "Lullay my liking" was premiered at Tewkesbury Abby. Also, Parks "O magnum mysterium" has been performed by the BBC Singers.

Arvo Part - The Carice Singers will the first London performance of Arvo Part's "O Holy St. Nicholas" on February 23, 2023.

David Rain - Rain's arrangement of "Es ist ein Ros' estsprungen" was included in the Stairwell Carollers' (Instagram @stairwell_carollers) new recording O Nata Lux. Instagram @davidrainchoralcomposer. For CD, visit stairwellcarollers.com, and for song information and sheet music visit davidrainchoralcomposer.ca. Although premiered in 2016, before we started these annual carol updates, Rain's "Rideau Carol" was performed this year by the Rideau Chorale (@rideauchoral). It was premiered in 2016 by the Stairwell Carrolers.

Dr. Kira Zeeman Rugen - Rugen's "Coventry Carol" was premiered by the Phoenix Boy's Choir @phoenixboyschoir on Instagram) the weekend of December 10, 2022. 

Shruthi Rajasekar - Seattle ProMusica will perform Shruthi Rajasekar's "Star of Rohini" which is also recorded of recent. We'll let you know where later, we know we saw it. According to the Seattle ProMusica, On October 2, 2022, her "Light Eternal," written in Sanskrit and English was premiered by the Ora Singers and the Nirmala Rajasekar at the finale concert of Hatfield House Chamber Music.


Ben Rowarth - Rowart was commission to write a carol for the Choir of the Chapel Royal Tower of London and he wrote "The Shepherd Girl," which will be premiered on December 16, 2022 at their Nine Lessons and Carols service. It is scored for five voices, SATB plus soprano solo.


John Rutter - has published the following carols: "Blake's Lullaby" (SATB) written in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support with words by Blake, "Es ist  ein' Ros' entsprungen," "Was I the lamb?" (words by Marc Bratcher, unaccompanied SATB), and "Joseph's Carol" (dedicated to the Oxford Vaccine Team) and debuted last year. They can be heard on Rutter's Spotify playlist.

Alex Ryan - The Duciana Vocal Ensemble (Dublin) will be performing "Song of Suffering" by Irish composer Alex Rayan (@alex_ryan). The song "encapsulate how grief paves the way to peace, suffering as the spirit's call-to-arms; and how we summon strength from other." @ducianavocalensemble on Instagram. 

Benedict SheehanOxford University Press has published Benedict Sheehan's A Christmas Carol, which was debuted by Skylark last year. It received its United Kingdom debut this year on December 16, 2022 by the BBC Singers. You can still hear it on BBC Radio 3 In Concert. It will be available until January 14, 2023.

Stephen Shellard - The Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir will perform Stephen Shellard's new composition using to the text to "Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree" (SATB [with division] & organ).

Olivia Sprarkhall - Banks has also published Olivia Sprarkhall's "All and Some" (SATB unaccompanied).

Sofia Söderberg Söderberg (@sofiamargas on Instagram) is conductor of the Svanholm Singers. Her arrangement of "Klang min vackra bjällra" whose lyrics and translation I pasted below.

Klang, min vackra bjällra       i den sena kväll!
Jingle, my pretty (sleigh-)bell in the late evening!
Spring, min raska fåle över mo och fjäll!
Run, my swift steed,   over heath and mountain!
Hemåt ila vi             med vindens snabba fart,
We are dashing homewards with the rapid speed of the wind,
där så vila vi i mjuka armar snart,
there we will soon be resting in soft arms,
och vår lycka ingen må förtycka.
and may no-one begrudge us our happiness.
Alla kvällens norrsken   flämta där i skyn,
All the northern lights* are flickering in the sky,
alla sälla minnen skymta för min syn.
all blessed memories are flitting past before my eyes.
Klang, min vackra bjällra...
Jingle, my pretty (sleigh-)bell...
Klang, min vackra bjällra,       glatt i kvällens ro!
Jingle, my pretty (sleigh-)bell, merrily in the quietness of the evening!
Spring, min raska fåle över fjäll och mo!
Run, my swift steed,   over mountain and heath!
Första morgonstrålen          randas i vårt hem,
The first ray of morninglight is seen towards our home,
alla skogar småle        och vi le åt dem.
all forests are smiling, and we are smiling back at them.
Om vi stjälpa, det kan ingen hjälpa!
If we topple,  that is no-ones fault!
Syns ett ljus ej glimma      i den mörka däld?
Is it not a light glimmering there in the dark glen?
Är det hemmets skimmer               eller stjärnans eld?
Is that a gleam (out) from our home, or is it the fire of a star?
Klang, min vackra bjällra, ...
Jingle, my pretty (sleigh-)bell, ...
* aurora borealis
Translation by Eva Toller, 2003

Svanholm Singers performing "Klang min vackra bjällra"


Joe Twist - Joe Twist had put out a new version of "Silent Night" which is available at joetwist.com. @joetwistmusic on Instagram.

Lucy Walker - On December 6, 2022, her "There is no rose" was given its on-air premiere on BBC Radio 3 In Tune. Here's the link which will be available until January 5, 2023. You can also hear it on BBC Radio 3's "In Concert" (Dec. 16, 2022) performed by the BBC Singers about 7 minutes in: In Concert.

Errollyn Wallen - Wallen's "Salisbury Carol," a commission for Salisbury Cathedral, received its first performances on December 22 and 23, 2022 at the cathedral's "Carols by Candlelight" service.

Clare Wheller - We are still getting a confirmation on this one. Wheller's Instagram (@_clarewheeler) says a, "New arrangement for The Swingles & New York Voices." We are unsure if these are two different pieces or one. On December 3, 2022, The Swingles Singers Instagram (@singlessingers) posted of video performance of Wheller's "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."

Robin White - White's new carol "Light of the World" has been recorded by the Alban Voices and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. One can download it at: listn.fm/lightoftheworld.

John Wright - John Wright's arrangement of "Make We Joy in this Fest" for organ and brass has been published on Goodmusic. To view a preview score and hear an audio clip, click here.


There has been a lot of Christmas publishing by Boosey & Hawkes. Among them are:

Joseph Phibbs' "In Excelsis Deo":

Gareth Treseder's "Bethle'm Baby":

Ben Ponniah's "O Magnum Mysterium":




Lectures & Interviews

Thomas Forrest Kelly gave a lecture on "The Early History of the Christmas Carol c. 1200-1500" as part of the Spotlight Session for the Byrd Ensemble's concert. 

John Rutter is interviewed by Tom Service for "In Tune" on BBC Radio 3. Here at this link.

Awards, Contest Winners, and Finalists

The Ivors Academy Ivor Novello Award

Cecilia McDowall was nominated for the Ivor Novello Award for her carol "There is no rose" which was commissioned by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge for their 2021 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. 

Cheryl Frances-Hoad was nominated for her Bogoróditse Dévo, Ráduysiâ for SATB choir.

American Prize in Composition, Choral Division

Marjorie Halloran's song, "Doves at St. Nicholas Church" is a finalist for the American Prize in Composition, Choral Division. It can be purchased @musicspoke. @marjoriehmusic on Instagram.

Charles West has won the Jubilate Carol Competition

Note: We erred on this one as this was from 2019, but we'll leave it up anyway.

Charles West has won the Jubilate Carol Competition which was judged by Stephen Darlington, Phillip Cooke, and James Morley Potter. Out of fifty entries, Wood's composition of "Rorate, caeli, desuper!" was chosen. Finalists included Ian Assershon ("I sing of a maiden"), Frederick Viner ("The Annunciation"), and William Anderson ("I syng of a mayden").

Here's is Viner's "The Annunciation" which uses the text of "I sing of a maiden":






2022 Clare College Carol Composition

Theodore Anderson-Besant, an undergraduate student at Clare College, Cambridge, has won the 2022 Clare College Carol Competition for his carol "Out of your sleep." It was premiered by the Chapel Choir at the Advent Carol Service in the Chapel on Saturday November 26, 2022, and Sunday November 27, 2022. You can hear this piece at the choir YouTube channel:




2022 BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition

Nov. 20, 2022 - This year's competition was to write a tune to Niall Campell's poem "The Winter's Brightening," and is closed to entries as of this date. One can read the poem and hear it read at this link

This year's judges are headed by Gareth Malone and also include Ed Balls, YolanDa Brown, Anna Lapwood and Manvinder Rattan. Their bios can be seen at Meet the rest of the judging panel.

The entries were short listed to six carols, and the composers worked with husband-and-wife duo Alexander L'Estrange and Joanna Forbes L'Estrage "on harmonization and melodies" and the BBC Singers. Criteria this year included:

"We asked for a tune (melody) only. The tune should be the same for every verse, so you only needed to submit one verse. If you submitted a score or recording with harmonies and/or accompaniments, or with different tunes for different verses, the judges will not take these elements into consideration."

The finalists are Hilary Ashworth, David Bentley, Donna Deam, Sarah Hutchinson, Fraser Sharp, and Maurice Walters. As of December 22, 2022, voting is closed and votes were being counted. 

THE WINNER IS: Maurice Walters for his setting of "Winter Brightening." Hear Walter's award-winning carol.

 



Sir David Willcocks Carol Competition

November 21, 2022 - On October 21, 2022, the deadline for the Bach Choir's Sir David Willcocks Carol Competition passed. This year's judges include David Hill, Cecilia McDowall, and Jonathan Willcocks. The winner was to be announced on November 18, 2022. We are waiting for a posting on the Bach Choir's website to see the winners.

THE WINNERS ARE:

First Place (tie) - Matt Finch for his carol "With Wondering Awe." The carol is for SATB. The text an already existing one, and Finch's setting is new:



First Place (tie) - Dr. Tim Cain for his carol "Let us Now Go to Bethlehem." The text is from 19th century clergyman Richard R. Chope.

Both carols will be performed at Carols at Cadogan.

Kantos Carol Competition 2022

The Kantos Chamber Choir Christmas Carol Competition deadline is coming on November 28, 2022. The winning entry will be performed at the choir's Away in a Manger performance on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Inspiration for the new carol is Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols. See kantoschamberchoir.com/carol-competition-2022 for more information and competition rules.

WE HAVE A WINNER: Kantos announced that Edmund Joliffe is the winner of this year's competition for this carol "There is No Rose." Kantos says Joliffe draws influance from Benjamin Britten 's Ceremony of Carols. The carol will be premiered by the choir on December 18, 2022. Congratulations to Edmund Joliffe! @kantoschoir on Instagram. Also see www.edmundjolifee.com.

Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Carol Competition 2022

WE HAVE A WINNER!: Andrew Huish has won the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Carol Competition for his version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem."  It will be performed at the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir's Festival of Carols on December 14-18, 2022. You can catch an extensive bio on Huish at the choir's Instagram (@indychoir) on their September 22, 2022 post.

The solicitation for the 2023 entries is already posted with the deadline being May 31, 2023. For more information to go Christmas Carol Competition.


Chorus Niagara Carol Competition Content

Nov. 23, 2022 - Submissions are closed for this one too, and there should be winners. We are waiting for the announcement. Two winning scores will be chosen, workshopped and performed as part of our Welcome Christmas program on Saturday December 17th by the massed voices of Chorus Niagara. https://www.chorusniagara.org/carolcontest.

Book, Publications, and Collections

Daily Devotions with Carols 

Alan Vermilye has released a book of daily devotions called The Carols of Christmas: Daily Advent Devotion on Classic Christmas Carols

New Collection by Rutter

Although not exclusively Christmas, John Rutter published John Rutter Choral Works for TTBB Voices on Oxford University Press. The Christmas and winters-themed pieces include Blow, blow, thou winter wind, Candlelight Carol, and Nativity Carol.


Festival of Nine Lessons at Kings Book

Encore Publications has released Christmas Eve at King's: 100 Years of Nine Lessons and Carols by Timothy Rogers. This is a must for Christmas carol fans as the publisher says, "Rogers has delved into the archives in Cambridge to produce a complete record of the music that has been used in the world-famous Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's over the last 100 years." @encorepublications on Instagram.

Faber Music publishes piano collection of seasonal music

Faber has published The Piano Player: Wintertide Collection which has twenty seasonal pieces for intermediate piano.

Several Works by Encore Publications

Encore Publications has published new books for organ. They include Timothy Rogers "The Word Made Flesh," David Broadbridge and Philip Moore's "Nativitas," and Richard Elfyn Jones "Toccata Festiva." More information.

Premieres

James MacMillan Oratorio

Last year we mentioned James MacMillan's Oratorio was premiered by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. It has now been recorded and in available off of LPO Records.

Anniversaries

Christina Rossetti's "In the Bleak Midwinter" celebrates 150 years since it publication.

Encore Publication celebrates its 30th birthday. It started publishing with Stephen Celobury's Descants for Choirs and choral works by Radcliffe.

Clare College Cambridge celebrates 50 years since admitting women and also celebrates the founding of the choir as it exists today.

Signum Classics celebrates 25 years this year and boy have they provided us with good Christmas music during these last 25 years.

The animated classic, "The Snowman" premiered on Boxing Day forty years ago in 1982.

The Christmas film "The Biships Wife" celebrated 75 years in 2022.

Goodbyes and Musical Chairs

Andrew Nethsingha conducted his last Advent Service which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 on Advent Sunday. Nethsignha will take the job at Westminster Abbey. Here the service on BBC Radio 3, but move fast you have until December 26, 2022.

James O'Donnall gave his final organ recital at Westminster Abbey on December 5, 2022. He will be taking a post at Yale University in the States. Of course, his position at the Abbey to be filled by Nethsingha.

With Chris Gray taking up the musical directorship at the St. John's College, Cambridge, Truro Cathedral as posted that vacancy for musical director.

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