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A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

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A traditional Christimas Eve service of readings and carols from King's College, Cambridge

The traditional service of readings and carols from King's College Cambridge that, for many people around the world, signals the beginning of Christmas.

Held in the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, this service marks for many people around the world the beginning of Christmas. 

It is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God. 

They are interspersed with carols old and new, sung by the world famous Chapel Choir who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.

Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols, A

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: 2010 Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols

2010 Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols

BBC World Service - A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, 2010 Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols

The Traditional Service of Readings and Carols from King's College Cambridge

The Festival, live from the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, marks for many people around the world the beginning of Christmas. It is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God. They are interspersed with carols old and new, sung by the world famous Chapel Choir who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.

   Programme:
Once in royal David's city  (arr. Stephen Cleobury)
  - Bidding Prayer read by the Dean 
This is the truth sent from above (arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams)
  - First lesson: Genesis 3, vv 8-19 read by a Chorister
Adam lay ybounden (Boris Ord)
A Virgin most pure (arr. Stephen Cleobury)
   - Second lesson: Genesis 22 vv 15-18 read by a Choral Scholar
In dulci jubilo (arr. Robert Lucas de Pearsall)
If ye would hear the angels sing (Peter Tranchell)
   - Third lesson: Isaiah 9 vv 2, 6-7 read by a Representative of the Cambridge Churches
Sussex Carol (arr. Philip Ledger)
God rest you merry, gentlemen (arr. David Willcocks)
   - Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11 vv 1-3a, 4a, 6-9 read by a Representative of the City of Cambridge A tender shoot (Otto Goldschmidt)
Det är en ros utsprungen (arr. Jan Sandström)
   - Fifth lesson: Luke 1 vv 26-35, 38 read by the Master over the Choristers
Hymne à la Vierge (Pierre Villette)
Sunny Bank (arr. Peter Hurford)
   - Sixth lesson: Luke 2 vv 1, 3-7 read by the Chaplain
Mariä Wiegenlied (Max Reger)
The holly and the ivy (arr. June Nixon)
   - Seventh lesson: Luke 2 vv 8-16 read by the Director of Music
While shepherds watched (arr. Stephen Cleobury)
Illuminare, Jerusalem (Judith Weir)
  -  Eighth lesson: Matthew 2 vv 1-12 read by the Vice-Provost
Christmas Carol (Einojuhani Rautavaara - first performance, commissioned by King's College)
Ding, dong, merrily (arr. Mack Wilberg)
  -  Ninth lesson: John 1 vv 1-14 read by the Provost
O come, all ye faithful (arr. Stephen Cleobury) 
  -  Collect and Blessing
Hark! the herald angels sing (arr. David Willcocks) 

Organ voluntaries:
In dulci jubilo BWV 729 (JS Bach)
Prelude & Fugue in B (Marcel Dupré) 

Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Director of Music: Stephen Cleobury 
Organ Scholar: Ben-San Lau

Live broadcast: Friday 24th December, 15:00 GMT

Repeats: 
Friday 24th December 
21:30 GMT (West Africa)
Saturday 25th December 
01:30 GMT (The Americas)
             04:30 GMT (East Asia)
             09:30 GMT (Australasia)
             10:30 GMT (Australasia)

Please send any comments and questions to: world.class@bbc.co.uk

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