Soul Music

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Soul Music: Series 25: O Holy Night

O Holy Night

Series 25

BBC Radio 4 - Soul Music, Series 25, O Holy Night

The carol that touched the lives of the former Archbishop of York and singer, Katie Melua.

4 Extra Debut. Former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu and singer Katie Melua reflect on the gentle, moving carol. From 2017.

For the former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, O’ Holy Night is the carol that lifted his spirits as he battled pneumonia in a London hospital. 

It also inspired a fellow patient to find faith. 

In Philadelphia, it is the song that outreach worker Asteria Vives sang when she took Christmas to the homeless. 

For singer and songwriter Katie Melua it's the carol that awoke her love of music as an eight year-old in Belfast.

In addition, it's the Christmas family favourite which for Tymara Walker went viral, when she sang it on a Washington subway, reaching a worldwide audience of millions via social media. 

Featuring choral conductor and composer Bob Chilcott.

Producer: Nicola Humphries.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017.

Soul Music: Series 25

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal

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O Holy Night

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