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A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Music: Classical

The annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge

The annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge.

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: Christmas 2020

Christmas 2020

BBC Radio 3 - A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Christmas 2020

Christmas carols and readings from the chapel of King's College, Cambridge.

Recorded in the majestic beauty of the 15th-century chapel of King's College, Cambridge. Christmas carols and hymns sung by the world-famous chapel choir.

Recorded in the majestic beauty of the 15th century chapel of King's College, Cambridge. Christmas carols and hymns sung by the world-famous chapel choir.

Once in royal David’s city (Henry John Gauntlett, Sir David Willcocks, Arthur Henry Mann, Sir Stephen Cleobury)
Bidding Prayer read by the Dean
Adam lay ybounden (Boris Ord)
First lesson: Genesis 3: vv 8-15, 17-19 read by a Chorister 
The Truth from Above (Ralph Vaughan Williams/ arr. Christopher Robinson)
Second lesson: Genesis 22: vv 15-19 read by a Choral Scholar 
How shall I fitly meet thee? (J.S. Bach)
A tender shoot (Otto Goldschmidt)
Third lesson: Isaiah 9: vv 2, 6-7 read by the Chaplain
In the bleak midwinter (Harold Darke)
Of the Father’s heart begotten  (arr. Sir David Willcocks)
Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11: 1-4a, 6-9 read by a Fellow
The holly and the ivy  (arr. Witold Lutoslawski)
A maiden most gentle  (Andrew Carter)
Fifth lesson: Luke 1: vv 26-35, 38 read by a member of College staff
In dulci jubilo (Robert L. de Pearsall, arr. Daniel Hyde)
The angel Gabriel (Philip Moore)
Sixth lesson: Luke 2: vv 1-7 read by a representative of the City of Cambridge
Sussex Carol (arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Away in a manger (arr. David Hill)
Seventh lesson: Luke 2: vv 8-17 read by the Director of Music
While shepherds watched (arr. Nicholas Marston)
The shepherds’ cradle song (Charles Macpherson)
Eighth lesson: Matthew 2: vv 1-12 read by the Vice-Provost
As I sat on a sunny bank (Elizabeth Poston)
Ninth lesson: John 1: vv 1-14 read by the Provost
O come all ye faithful (arr. Daniel Hyde, Christopher Robinson, David Hill)
Blessing
Still, still, still (arr. Bob Chilcott)
Hark! The herald angels sing (arr. Sir Philip Ledger)
In dulci jubilo BWV 729 (J.S Bach)
Improvisation on ‘Adeste, Fideles’ (Francis Pott) 

Daniel Hyde, Director of Music
Matthew Martin, Organist
Revd. Dr. Stephen Cherry, Dean

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols signals the beginning of Christmas for millions of listeners across the world. The service consists of a series of Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God, interspersed with both new and traditional hymns and carols sung in the majestic beauty of the 15th century King’s College Chapel.

This year's service marks the musical contribution (through their arrangements and descants) of several former Directors of Music, including Sir David Willcocks, Sir Philip Ledger and Sir Stephen Cleobury, as well as the current Director, Daniel Hyde.

The English twentieth century composer Elizabeth Poston features in the service, as well as arrangements by polish composer Witold Lutoslawski and former chorister Bob Chilcott.

The service has been broadcast live from a packed chapel on Christmas Eve for over 90 years, but for safety reasons this year it was recorded without the presence of a congregation.

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A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Christmas 2020

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