Extolling the beauty of Christmas Carols and other sacred music.
Friday, October 11, 2024
The Christmas and Winter Music of Charles V. Stanford
C. V. Stanford
The Christmas & Winter Music of Charles V. Stanford(1)
Compiled by R. Rojas
Note: Because of the video we embed, the post may take a little while to load. Our apologies.
We had meant to have this ready by Stanford's birthday on September 30, but I did not make that deadline. As we are in the Standford Centennial this year, I thought we'd have a go at seeing what Christmas music Standford composed.
We are indebted to the Newcastle University Special Collections for their Stanford (Charles Villiers) Archive who put out an annotated list of their inventory which includes a catalog of works (by Hudson listed in the notes below).
We will mention each piece by opus (if it has one) number and if a video performance exists, we will post it.
The archives at Newcastle University have most of these works in their collection. I will refer to the archive as the "Newcastle Archive" but it formal name is the "Stanford (Charles Villiers) Archive." My mention of inventories in this post are inventories of that archives, but called proper, the "Stanford (Charles Villiers) Archive handlist."
Frederick Hudson's catalog New Catalogue of Works of Charles Villiers Stanford 1852 -1924 Compiled from Original Sources (1994) is a great resource and was included in the PDF of the handlist of the Newcastle Archive.(2)
We will not give a bio of Stanford because I think they are plenty on the web. We recommend The Stanford Society's website. The society was founded in 2007.
However, it is worth to mention that Stanford was organist at Trinity College (1873-92), Cambridge, and a founding professor at the Royal College of Music. He conducted the combined choir at Trinity for a few years. He was an organ scholar at Queen's College, Cambridge. His most famous students include Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughn Williams.
Arthur Duke Coleridge, founder of the Bach Choir (London), was a student in Leipzig, at the same time as Stanford. Of course, Stanford would lead the choir starting a long line of prestigious conductors like Vaughn Williams and Sir David Willcocks.
"Watt's Cradle Song" (1892?)
Unless we missed it, none of these catalogues or inventories mentioned "Watt's Cradle Song," of which we were already aware. We had previously spoke of this carol/song in our post Who was Wither, Who was Blake, Who was Watts?. Stanford's version was included in a 2011 recording release of Stanford's choral works called Stanford: Choral Works (Convivium 1914) by Winchester College Chapel Choir. The liner notes to the above-mentioned recording state:
The setting of Isaac Watts' well-known cradle song, Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber is an adaptation by Philip Moore of Stanford's setting of Thomas Dekker's song Golden Slumbers Op. 19 No. 2 of 1882. Th e simple diatonic lullaby 'charm' of the accompaniment, which forms the basis of this gem, is disrupted only by the insertion of a hemiola, a vocal climax of reassurance and calming subdominant colour (especially marked in the closing bars of the last verse). Moore's
arrangement, for two treble parts and organ, has four verses in which the second and last introduce more elaborate countermelodies against Stanford's affecting theme.
A score can still be found on Oxford University Press ("Watt's Cradle Song" Stanford). We are still looking for a date for this.
"Summer's Rain and Winter's Snow," published in 1893 by Novello and in the Children's Souvenir Song Book, has it lyrics written by Richard Watson Gilder.
"Summers Rain and Winter's Snow"
"In the Snow" (c.1894-1909)
The winter piece "In the Snow" (or "Oh, never a footprint was seen in the snow") is undated, but most likely composed between 1894 and 1909. I could not find a video for this one. Some lists of Stanford's works, list it as a "Christmas carol". A copy is available at Newcastle Archive. One notation describes it based on Luke 2:16. It lists the poem as the text by K.W. Lundie from the book English Echoes from the Quartier Latin: Poems (1912). It is listed at SATBI or voices in unison. It is also in Carols Ancient and Modern and The University Carol Book.
"As with gladness of old men"
Next is a 1894 version of "As with gladness of old men" published in Novello's Christmas Carols, a carol publication from 1894.
"As with gladness of old men" (Tune: Orient)
It is not to the tune we are used to (Conrad Kocher "Dix). Stanford put it to the tune of "Orient." It was also later published in the University Carol Book (1980) and in 2nd Carols Ancient and Modern. Copies are in the collection at the Newcastle Archive.
"A Carol for Christmas" a.k.a. "Sweet Music, sweeter than any song"
Stanford's 1897 composition "Six Elizabethan Pastorales, Series 3, Op. 67" has a piece called "A carol for Christmas" ("Sweet music, sweeter than any song") which I read is based on a poem by Edmund Bolton. I found recording of most of the songs in this series, but "A carol for Christmas" seem to be left out by ensembles who record this series. However, there is a CPDL page created for this carol which has the score. I posted a link to the PDF score below. The CPDL page is at:
Than any song is sweet: Sweet Music heavenly rare, Mine ears, (O peers!) doth greet. Yon gentle flocks, whose fleeces, pearl’d with dew, Resemble heaven, whom golden drops make bright: Listen, O listen, now;— O not to you Our pipes make sport to shorten weary night:— But voices most divine Make blissful harmony: Voices that seem to shine, For what else clears the sky? Tunes can we hear, but not the singers see; The tune’s divine, and so the singers be.
Lo! how the firmament Within an azure fold The flock of stars hath pent, That we might them behold. Yet from their beams proceedeth not this light, Nor can their crystals such reflection give. What then doth make the elements so bright? The heavens are come down on earth to live.
But hearken to the song: “Glory to glory’s King! And peace all men among!” These queristers do sing. Angels they are, as also (Shepherds) He, Whom in our fear we do admire to see.
“Let not amazement blind Your souls,” (said he) “annoy: To you and all mankind, My message bringeth joy. For lo! the world’s great Shepherd now is born, A blesséd Babe, an Infant full of power: After long night, up-risen is the morn, Renowning Bethlem in the Saviour. Sprung is the perfect day, By prophets seen afar: Sprung is the mirthful May, Which Winter cannot mar.” In David’s city doth this Sun appear, Clouded in flesh;— yet, Shepherds! sit we here?Score to "A Carol for Christmas"
The score is also available at the archive at the University of Newcastle. I could not find a video.
"Like as the Thrust in Winter" (1901)
"Like as the Thrust in Winter" is in An Irish Idyll in six miniatures published by Bossey & Co. in 1901. It is for voice and piano. A copy exists in the Newcastle Archive. Text is by Edmond Holmes (1850-1936).
"Like as Thrust in Winter"
Like as the thrush in winter when the skies
Are drear and dark and all the woods are bare,
Sings undismayed, till from his melodies
Odours of spring float through the frozen air; -
So in my heart, when sorrow’s icy breath Is bleak and bitter, and its frost is strong,
Leaps up, defiant of despair and death,
A sunlit mountain of triumphant song.
Sing on, sweet singer, till the violets come,
And south winds blow; sing on, prophetic bird!
Oh, if my lips, which are for ever dumb,
Could sing to men what my sad heart has heard –
Life’s darkest hour with songs of joy would ring,
Life’s blackest frost would blossom into spring.
"Arise Shine, for They Light Has Come" (1905)
This is described as an "Anthem for Christmas." It was published in 1905 by Houghton and Co.
"Arise Shine, for They Light Has Come"
Blake's Cradle Song (1907?)
In "A New Catalogue of Works of Charles Villiers Stanford 1852-1924" lists that Stanford composed a piece to Blake's "Cradle Song" but we've been unable to find a video performance of it. We know it is listed as "Cradle song", published c1907 [ vocal duet for 2 equal voices ], partsong; London : J. Curwen. One catalogue says it may be part of No.8, Eleven Two‐Part Songs. It is dates circa 1907.
"A Carol of the Nativity" (1909)
"A Carol of the Nativity" ("Carol, sweetly carol, sing most joyfully") is a 1909 composition included in a later edition of Novello's Carols (1912). The words are by a Bishop Coxe. A copy is available at the archive mentioned above. I could not find a video of this carol. Other notations describe that it was published in The Daily Express, by arrangement with E. Houghton & Co. in 1909. The same notation lists Bishop Coxe as "A.C. Coxe , Sea of Western New York, USA." There are videos of a song called "Carol, sweetly carol" that I found in various versions, but none attributed to Stanford.
Gloria in Excelsis (1910)
Stanford also had a "Gloria in Excelsis".
"Gloria in Excelsis"
This was composed for the coronation of George V at Westminster Abbey, June 22, 1911. There is a copy at the Newcastle Archives, but the score can be found with various publishers.
"Once in Bethlehem of Judah" (1911)
"Once in Bethlehem of Judah" has text from Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander and is for SS duet and organ. It is found in 1911's Carols Ancient and Modern, Book 2. Again, I'm still looking for a video performance.
"There came a little child to earth" (1911?)
"There came a little child to earth" is a carol for SATB choir and organ. It was published by Morgan and Scott Ltd. and included in Carols Ancient and Modern, Book 1 from 1911. Text is from a last named "Elliot." A paper copy is available in the archive mentioned above. I could not find a video performance of this carol.
"A Carol of Bells" (1916)
There is a 1916 "A Carol of Bells" published by Enoch & Sons.
This seems to be another arrangement of the carol listed earlier, this one being for duet by soprano and tenor and bar.
A later 1919 version is an arrangement for SATB. A notation about a 1920 review of the piece, states the carol mentions war damage in Belgium by the German invasion (then called the Great War) and that subject may be "too soon" (my words not the reviewer) to say the least. "A Carol of the Bells" was also published in 1985 in Sensibility and English Song.
"A Carol of Bells"
"A Carol of Bells" (1919)
"A Carol of the Bells" ("Ring, joyous bells of London." Also published as "Ring, Christmas Bells of London") is a 1919 composition published by Enoch and Sons. Lyrics are by Louis N. Parker. It is available in Green Box 4 of the Newcastle Archive. It is listed as SATE. We could not find of video of this one but see the video above of the 1916 version for soprano and piano.
"The Angelus" (1920-2?)
Another organ and piece is "The Angelus" from 3 Idylls, Op. 194, most likely based on the Angelus prayers, that has some Christmas connection.
"The Angelus" from 3 Idylls, Op. 194
"The Monkey's Carol" (1920)
Also in 6 Songs, Op. 175 is "The Monkey's Carol". The song cycle was published in 1920.
"The Monkey Carol"
The lyrics are by Winifred M. Letts. The score is in the Newcastle Archive. This seems to be a popular one to record and various video are on YouTube. The score is also on Cramer Music.
"Blow winds blow" (1922)
"Blow winds, Blow" is from an anonymous text. Published by Year Book Press in 1922 for a trio of women's or boy's voices with piano accompaniment. A copy is in Green Box 3 at the Newcastle Archive. The score is also available via Presto Music and Banks Music Publishing.
"While Shepherds Watched" and "Lo, He Comes Descending" (1922)
Another we were unfamiliar with despite doing a whole blog post on the carol, was Stanford's "While Shepherds Watched." It is published at Three Anthems for Choir and Organ (1922). In this collection is "Lo, He Comes Descending" and "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." The score is available from RSCM at the link above. Make sure to see our post on "While Shepherds Watched" here on this blog.
"While Shepherds Watched"
"The Little Snowdrop" (1923, 25)
"The Little Snowdrop" is published in in 1925 Stiener & Bell, but composed in 1923. If we are reading the archive inventory correctly, the words are by Helen Douglas Adams.
"The Little Snowdrop"
"The Winter Storms" (1923)
"The Winter Storms" published by Oxford University Press in 1923, has it text by Sir W. D'Avenant. A copy is in the Newcastle Archive andI bet still available from OUP. Again, no video found.
"Summer and Winter" (1928)
Standford's "Summer and Winter, two part song" was published in 1928 by Novelo. A copy of the score is in the Newcastle archive. We could not find a video of this one.
"Prelude at Christmastide" (1930)
There is a "Prelude at Christmastide" for organ from No. 1 from Six Occasional Preludes, Op. 182.
"Prelude at Christmastide"
"Epithalamium" (1930)
Related is No. 5 from Six Occasional Preludes, Op. 182: "Epithalamium" which we assume is an Epiphany piece.
Six Occasional Preludes, Op. 182, No. 5: "Epithalamium"
"Ode to the Birth of our Saviour"
Stanford also has a piece "Ode to the Birth of our Saviour" on Cramer Music. We did not find this in the inventories. We were unable to find a video. We are unable to date it.
"How Beautiful the Mountains"
It appears that Stanford wrote an arrangement of "How Beautiful Upon the Mountain." A free score is available at The English Heritage Music Series: "How Beautiful Upon the Mountains." We could not find a video performance of this as most are John Stainer's version. However, The English Heritage Music Series has a synthesized audio sample.
Other works
In 3 Preludes and Fugues, Op.193, there is a notation that this piece was a Christmas and New Years gift to a friend. Listen and see if you pick up any holiday themes:
3 Preludes and Fugues, Op.193
We do not list them here, but if we are talking about the whole Christmas season from Advent to Candlemas, Stanford has several Magnificats and Nunc Dimittis as parts of services and masses. There is also a "Gloria in Excelsis" in Stanford's Mass Via Victrix ("Victory Mass")(1919?).
"Blessed are those that die in the Lord"/"I heard a voice from heaven" (1883/1910)
A song composed for a friend's funeral in 1886, "Blessed are those that die in Lord," from Revelations 14:13 (The Bible), is said to sample the fourteenth-century carol "Angelus ad virgenem."
The Newcastle Archive inventory states "Blessed..." is an earlier version of "I heard a voice from heaven" (1910). Both the Newcastle Archive and a note on Youtube.com of the track "I heard a voice from heaven" from the album Stanford and Howells Remembered (Collegium) by the Cambridge Singers, state "I heard a voice from heaven" is based on Stanford's 1886 song "Blessed are those..."
It is noted that he used the carol again in his opera Savonarola.
"I Heard a Voice from Heaven"
Free scores of Stanford's music are available at IMSLP Petrucci Music Library which also has a list of works. Wikipedia also has a list of his works. Some of the sheet music for pieces listed here are available at IMSLP. The website for the archive mentioned above is at: Stanford (Charles Villiers) Archive.
Also worth watching is the documentary Stanford at Trinity, referring to Trinity College at Cambridge. The documentary states that Trinity College has some of Stanford's manuscripts.
Stanford died in 1924.
1. It's an exciting year to celebrate Stanford so we invite recommendations on other Christmas and Winter pieces we may have missed, or videos of pieces mentioned here that we could not find: christmascarolblog@gmail.com.
2. I indebted to Frederick Hudson's New Catalogue of Works of Charles Villiers Stanford 1852 -1924 Compiled from Original Sources which was included as a PDF in the Newcastle Archives inventory.
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