KingsCollegeChoir
Michael Dennis Browne on Stephen Pauluss The Road Home
updated
An extract from King of glory, King of peace by T. Frederick H. Candlyn (1892-1964), from the new album 'Now the green blade riseth'. The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, is directed by Daniel Hyde.
The new album 'Now the green blade riseth' is a procession through time and history, with music rooted in ancient Gregorian chant all the way through to contemporary works charting the course of Holy Week and Easter.
The album presents not only a rich variety of choral music but a demonstration of the flexibility and agility of the Choir of King’s College: Daniel Hyde conducts the Choir in music from the ‘Golden Age of English Polyphony’ (Byrd’s Civitas) and the era of Italian grand opera (Rossini’s O salutaris Hostia), as well Victorian, Edwardian and mid-twentieth century choral masterpieces.
A selection of popular Easter hymns structures the programme, which culminates in Duruflé’s stunning transcription of Tournemire’s Choral Improvisation sur le ‘Victimæ Paschali’, performed by Matthew Martin on the King’s College organ.
Crucifixus à 6 by Antonio Lotti (1667–1740), from the new album 'Now the green blade riseth'. The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, is directed by Daniel Hyde.
The new album 'Now the green blade riseth' is a procession through time and history, with music rooted in ancient Gregorian chant all the way through to contemporary works charting the course of Holy Week and Easter.
The album presents not only a rich variety of choral music but a demonstration of the flexibility and agility of the Choir of King’s College: Daniel Hyde conducts the Choir in music from the ‘Golden Age of English Polyphony’ (Byrd’s Civitas) and the era of Italian grand opera (Rossini’s O salutaris Hostia), as well Victorian, Edwardian and mid-twentieth century choral masterpieces.
A selection of popular Easter hymns structures the programme, which culminates in Duruflé’s stunning transcription of Tournemire’s Choral Improvisation sur le ‘Victimæ Paschali’, performed by Matthew Martin on the King’s College organ.
###
Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato:
passus et sepultus est.
~~~
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
###
Words: from the Nicene Creed
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Matthew Martin (organ)
Directed by Daniel Hyde
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
###
There is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified
Who died to save us all.
We may not know, we cannot tell,
What pains he had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.
He died that we might be forgiv’n,
He died to make us good;
That we might go at last to heav’n,
Saved by his precious blood.
There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heav’n, and let us in.
O, dearly, dearly has he loved,
And we must love him too,
And trust in his redeeming blood,
And try his works to do.
O salutaris Hostia, by Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868), from the new album 'Now the green blade riseth'. The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, is directed by Daniel Hyde.
Now the green blade riseth is a procession through time and history, with music rooted in ancient Gregorian chant all the way through to contemporary works charting the course of Holy Week and Easter.
The album presents not only a rich variety of choral music but a demonstration of the flexibility and agility of the Choir of King’s College: Daniel Hyde conducts the Choir in music from the ‘Golden Age of English Polyphony’ (Byrd’s Civitas) and the era of Italian grand opera (Rossini’s O salutaris Hostia), as well Victorian, Edwardian and mid-twentieth century choral masterpieces.
A selection of popular Easter hymns structures the programme, which culminates in Duruflé’s stunning transcription of Tournemire’s Choral Improvisation sur le ‘Victimæ Paschali’, performed by Matthew Martin on the King’s College organ.
###
O salutaris Hostia,
Quæ cæli pandis ostium,
Bella premunt hostilia,
Da robur, fer auxilium.
~~~
Lord, who for us was sacrificed,
Thou opened heaven’s portals wide;
Guard us, guard us now from our foes, O Christ,
Thy strength and saving help provide.
~~~
Words: St Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Translation: John Rutter (b. 1945)
'It is a thing most wonderful' from BBC Easter from King's 2022. Easter from King's is broadcast in the UK on BBC Two on 16 April 2022.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Anita Monserrat (soprano soloist)
Directed by Daniel Hyde
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
###
It is a thing most wonderful,
Almost too wonderful to be,
That God’s own Son should come from heaven,
And die to save a child like me.
And yet I know that it is true:
He chose a poor and humble lot,
And wept, and toiled, and mourned, and died
For love of those who loved him not.
But even could I see him die,
I could but see a little part
Of that great love, which, like a fire,
Is always burning in his heart.
It is most wonderful to know
His love for me, so free and sure;
But ’tis more wonderful to see
My love for him so faint and poor.
And yet I want to love thee, Lord;
O light the flame within my heart,
And I will love thee more and more,
Until I see thee as thou art.
Ave verum corpus from BBC Easter from King's 2022. Easter from King's is broadcast in the UK on BBC Two on 16 April 2022.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Matthew Martin (organ)
Directed by Daniel Hyde
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
###
Ave verum corpus, natum
de Maria Virgine,
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine
cujus latus perforatum
fluxit aqua et sanguine:
esto nobis prægustatum
in mortis examine.
~~~
Hail, true Body, born
of the Virgin Mary,
having truly suffered, sacrificed
on the cross for mankind,
from whose pierced side
water and blood flowed:
Be for us a foretaste [of the Heavenly banquet]
in the trial of death!
###
Behind the scenes of the three unique adverts directed by the choristers of King's College Cambridge. They tell the story of the chorister life that’s not always on TV – the thrills, the fun, the learning and the friendships – all through the voices of the choristers themselves.
No one understands the chorister life better than choristers themselves. So we knew who to ask to direct our new #becomeachorister films.
Find out more about being a chorister at King's: kings.cam.ac.uk/choir/choristers
–––
The #becomeachorister videos, with original ideas from the Choristers of King's College Cambridge, were created by the Choristers with a little help.
Series Filmmaking Support & Editor: Peter Harmer
Series Producer for King's College: Benjamin Sheen
The final of three unique adverts directed by the choristers of King's College Cambridge. 'Mission: Possible' is created by Group 3, and is an advert designed by the boys to be enjoyed by parents and children alike. It shows that being a chorister doesn't have to be all 'serious' – and is actually really fun!
The #becomeachorister films tell the story of the chorister life that’s not always on TV – the thrills, the fun, the learning and the friendships – all through the voices of the choristers themselves.
No one understands the chorister life better than choristers themselves. So who better to direct our #becomeachorister films?
Watch the other films: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LnIk0_D3cbt4fmhhSy6WGudwpGS9KLA
Find out more about being a chorister at King's: kings.cam.ac.uk/choir/choristers
The second of three unique adverts created by the choristers of King's College Cambridge. Evolution is by Group 2, and shows the development of a chorister at King's between Year 4 (when they start) and Year 8. The boys designed the videography to be always moving, to reflect how a chorister is always moving forward in life and developing new skills and relationships with other people.
The #becomeachorister films tell the story of the chorister life that’s not always on TV – the thrills, the fun, the learning and the friendships – all through the voices of the choristers themselves.
No one understands the chorister life better than choristers themselves. So who better to direct our #becomeachorister films?
Watch the other films: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LnIk0_D3cbt4fmhhSy6WGudwpGS9KLA
Find out more about being a chorister at King's: kings.cam.ac.uk/choir/choristers
Music composed and performed by Paul Greally (King's College Organ Scholar)
The first of three unique adverts created by the choristers of King's College Cambridge. 'Don't be bored' is directed by Group 1, and presents a typical 'day in the life' of a chorister at King's.
The #becomeachorister films tell the story of the chorister life that’s not always on TV – the thrills, the fun, the learning and the friendships.
No one understands the chorister life better than choristers themselves. So who better to create our #becomeachorister films?
Watch the other films: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LnIk0_D3cbt4fmhhSy6WGudwpGS9KLA
Find out more about being a chorister at King's: kings.cam.ac.uk/choir/choristers
Three unique adverts directed by the choristers of King's College Cambridge. They tell the story of the chorister life that’s not always on TV – the thrills, the fun, the learning and the friendships – all through the voices of the choristers themselves.
No one understands the chorister life better than choristers themselves. So we knew who to ask to direct our new #becomeachorister films.
Find out more about being a chorister at King's: kings.cam.ac.uk/choir/choristers
Hark! the herald-angels sing, with descant by Sir David Willcocks, from BBC Carols from King's 2021. Carols from King's is broadcast in the UK on BBC Two on Christmas Eve.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Paul Greally (Organ Scholar)
Directed by Daniel Hyde
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
###
Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th’angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem:
Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
Christ, by highest heav’n adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of aVirgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th’incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris’n with healing in his wings;
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
###
Sussex Carol (On Christmas night) arranged by Sir David Willcocks, from BBC Carols from King's 2021. Carols from King's is broadcast in the UK on BBC Two on Christmas Eve.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Paul Greally (Organ Scholar)
Directed by Daniel Hyde
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
###
On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring.
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King's birth.
Then why should men on earth be so sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad,
When from our sin he set us free,
All for to gain our liberty?
When sin departs before His grace,
Then life and health come in its place.
Angels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the new-born King.
All out of darkness we have light,
Which made the angels sing this night:
"Glory to God and peace to men,
Now and for evermore, Amen!"
###
'In the stillness' by Sally Beamish from BBC Carols from King's 2021. Carols from King's is broadcast in the UK on BBC Two on Christmas Eve.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Directed by Daniel Hyde
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
###
In the stillness of a church Where candles glow,
In the softness of a fall Of fresh white snow,
In the brightness of the stars That shine this night,
In the calmness of a pool Of healing light,
In the clearness of a choir That softly sings,
In the oneness of a hush Of angels’ wings,
In the mildness of a night By stable bare,
In the quietness of a lull Near cradle fair,
There’s a patience as we wait For a new morn,
And the presence of a child Soon to be born.
(Katrina Shepherd)
Away in a Manger, arranged by Stephen Cleobury, from BBC Carols from King's 2021. Carols from King's is broadcast in the UK on BBC Two on Christmas Eve.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Paul Greally, Organ Scholar
Directed by Daniel Hyde
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
###
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with thee there.
'In dulci jubilo', arranged by Robert Lucas de Pearsall & Daniel Hyde. The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, is directed by Daniel Hyde. From the new album 'In the bleak midwinter'.
The album reflects a Christmas that was unlike any other in recent history. Much of the music on this album was heard around the world as part of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, a service that has been broadcast live from King’s on Christmas Eve every year since 1930.
But for Christmas Eve 2020 in the face of a global pandemic, the continuation of this uniquely long-running tradition was not possible – not sung live or with a congregation in the Chapel as well as the global audience who have long listened from around the world. Instead, a full service, with lessons, carols, organ voluntaries and prayers, was recorded in an empty Chapel. For its millions of listeners, the broadcast meant the continuation of a Christmas tradition in a year when so many were without their friends and family, and without so much of what makes Christmas special.
This album contains music from the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols together with a selection of specially recorded tracks. It marks the beginning of a new era for the Choir of King’s College under the direction of Daniel Hyde, with this his first full album at King’s since his appointment in 2019.
Listen to the new album, out now: https://smarturl.it/KingsMidwinter
℗ King's College Recordings 2021
###
In dulci jubilo
Let us our homage shew; Our heart’s joy reclineth
In præsepio;
And like a bright star shineth Matris in gremio;.
Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule,
I yearn for thee alway! Listen to my ditty,
O Puer optime!
Have pity on me, pity, O Princeps gloriæ! Trahe me post te!
O Patris caritas!
O Nati lenitas!
Deeply were we stained Per nostra crimina;
But thou hast for us gained Cœlorum gaudia.
O that we were there!
Ubi sunt gaudia, where,
If that they be not there? There are angels singing Nova cantica,
There the bells are ringing In Regis curia:
O that we were there!
###
The final verse of 'Once in royal David's city', with descant by Sir Stephen Cleobury, from King's College Choir's new album 'In the bleak midwinter'. The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, is directed by Daniel Hyde.
The album reflects a Christmas that was unlike any other in recent history. Much of the music on this album was heard around the world as part of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, a service that has been broadcast live from King’s on Christmas Eve every year since 1930.
But for Christmas Eve 2020 in the face of a global pandemic, the continuation of this uniquely long-running tradition was not possible – not sung live or with a congregation in the Chapel as well as the global audience who have long listened from around the world. Instead, a full service, with lessons, carols, organ voluntaries and prayers, was recorded in an empty Chapel. For its millions of listeners, the broadcast meant the continuation of a Christmas tradition in a year when so many were without their friends and family, and without so much of what makes Christmas special.
This album contains music from the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols together with a selection of specially recorded tracks. It marks the beginning of a new era for the Choir of King’s College under the direction of Daniel Hyde, with this his first full album at King’s since his appointment in 2019.
Listen to the new album, out now: https://smarturl.it/KingsMidwinter
℗ King's College Recordings 2021
The final verse of 'In the bleak midwinter' by Harold Darke, from King's College Choir's new album 'In the bleak midwinter'.
The album reflects a Christmas that was unlike any other in recent history. Much of the music on this album was heard around the world as part of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, a service that has been broadcast live from King’s on Christmas Eve every year since 1930.
But for Christmas Eve 2020 in the face of a global pandemic, the continuation of this uniquely long-running tradition was not possible – not sung live or with a congregation in the Chapel as well as the global audience who have long listened from around the world. Instead, a full service, with lessons, carols, organ voluntaries and prayers, was recorded in an empty Chapel. For its millions of listeners, the broadcast meant the continuation of a Christmas tradition in a year when so many were without their friends and family, and without so much of what makes Christmas special.
This album contains music from the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols together with a selection of specially recorded tracks. It marks the beginning of a new era for the Choir of King’s College under the direction of Daniel Hyde, with this his first full album at King’s since his appointment in 2019.
Listen to the new album, out now: https://smarturl.it/KingsMidwinter
℗ King's College Recordings 2021
DURUFLÉ (1902-1986)
Fugue on the name of Alain
From the Prelude and Fugue on the name of Alain, this piece is a tribute to Duruflé’s friend and colleague Jehan Alain, destined to become one of the great 20th century French composers, but tragically killed in the Second World War.
###
Reviews for Duruflé, Complete Organ Works:
“I love the way he makes the music shine brightly through that incense-laden atmosphere which seems to shroud so many recordings of this repertory, without actually disturbing it in any way. I do not recall ever having been so excited by this music before. An exceptionally fine recording, which has captured instrument, acoustic and playing with impeccable detail without any sacrificing of atmosphere, and we have here a genuinely exceptional organ release.” – Gramophone (Editor’s Choice)
“Trotter plays like a man possessed to stunning effect.” ★★★★★ – Limelight Magazine
“The superbly engineered recording does full justice to the magnificence of Trotter’s playing.” ★★★★★ – Birmingham Post
“A tour de force” ★★★★★ (Performance) / ★★★★★ (Recording) – BBC Music Magazine
###
Video production by Stagecast
Producer for King's College: Benjamin Sheen
DURUFLÉ (1902-1986)
Fugue on the Bells of Soissons Cathedral
###
Reviews for Duruflé, Complete Organ Works:
“I love the way he makes the music shine brightly through that incense-laden atmosphere which seems to shroud so many recordings of this repertory, without actually disturbing it in any way. I do not recall ever having been so excited by this music before. An exceptionally fine recording, which has captured instrument, acoustic and playing with impeccable detail without any sacrificing of atmosphere, and we have here a genuinely exceptional organ release.” – Gramophone (Editor’s Choice)
“Trotter plays like a man possessed to stunning effect.” ★★★★★ – Limelight Magazine
“The superbly engineered recording does full justice to the magnificence of Trotter’s playing.” ★★★★★ – Birmingham Post
“A tour de force” ★★★★★ (Performance) / ★★★★★ (Recording) – BBC Music Magazine
###
Video production by Stagecast
Producer for King's College: Benjamin Sheen
World-renowned organist Thomas Trotter celebrates the release of his new album with a free recital, broadcast live from the Chapel of King's College Cambridge.
Described as "genuinely exceptional" by Gramophone magazine, Thomas's new recording of Duruflé's complete organ works has just been released on the King's College label. Music from the album will feature in this recital too, including Duruflé's Suite. Thomas will intersperse Duruflé's music with music by the contemporary Canadian composer Rachel Laurin.
Available exclusively online, Thomas's recital will be broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube, and will be free to watch.
###
Running Time: 1 hour
Programme:
DURUFLÉ (1902-1986)
Fugue on the Bells of Soissons Cathedral
RACHEL LAURIN (b. 1961)
Cantilène – Toccatina
(Twelve Short Pieces)
DURUFLÉ
Méditation
RACHEL LAURIN
Moto Perpetuo – Trumpet Tune
(Twelve Short Pieces)
DURUFLÉ
Prélude & Fugue sur le nom d’ALAIN
RACHEL LAURIN
Invocation – Rondo
(Twelve Short Pieces)
DURUFLÉ
Suite Op 5
(Prélude – Sicilienne - Toccata)
###
'All you who sleep tonight', the final movement from the British composer Jonathan Dove's song cycle 'All You Who Sleep Tonight'; a setting of a poem by Vikram Seth.
Proud Songsters is a journey through the distinctive musical genre of English Song. This collection of 20 songs – familiar and lesser known – are performed by some of the finest former members of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge with one of this generation’s most exceptional pianists.
Each of the nine alumni featured on this album sang as young adults at King’s, alongside pianist Simon Lepper, a graduate of King’s. The songs included on the album span settings of Shakespeare songs, those of prominent 20th Century composers Vaughan Williams, Britten, Finzi, Clarke and Howells through to contemporary works by Jonathan Dove, Iain Bell and Celia Harper. The album includes a specially-commissioned essay on the works by Stephen Banfield, and the CD includes a special bonus track sung by Gerald Finley and Christopher Keyte.
~~~
All you who sleep tonight
Far from the ones you love,
No hand to left or right
And emptiness above -
Know that you aren't alone
The whole world shares your tears,
Some for two nights or one,
And some for all their years.
Vikram Seth (b.1952)
~~~
Made available by kind permission of Peters Edition Limited.
℗ King's College, Cambridge
www.kingscollegerecordings.com
'Come to me in my dreams' by Frank Bridge (1879–1941) is performed by Mark Stone and pianist Simon Lepper, and is included on the new album Proud Songsters.
Proud Songsters is a journey through the distinctive musical genre of English Song. This collection of 20 songs – familiar and lesser known – are performed by some of the finest former members of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge with one of this generation’s most exceptional pianists.
Each of the nine alumni featured on this album sang as young adults at King’s, alongside pianist Simon Lepper, a graduate of King’s. The songs included on the album span settings of Shakespeare songs, those of prominent 20th Century composers Vaughan Williams, Britten, Finzi, Clarke and Howells through to contemporary works by Jonathan Dove, Iain Bell and Celia Harper. The album includes a specially-commissioned essay on the works by Stephen Banfield, and the CD includes a special bonus track sung by Gerald Finley and Christopher Keyte.
'Christus Vincit' with music arranged by Martin Baker (b. 1967), sung on Easter from King's 2021, broadcast by the BBC on 3 April 2021.
The Choristers of the Choir of King's College Cambridge
The King's Singers
Matthew Martin, organist
Daniel Hyde, conductor
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
@kingssingersvideos
Patrick Dunachie (countertenor)
Edward Button (countertenor)
Julian Gregory (tenor)
Christopher Bruerton (baritone)
Nick Ashby (baritone)
Jonathan Howard (bass)
~~~
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!
Exaudi Christe
Exaudi Christe
Summo Pontífici et universali Papae, vita.
Salvator mundi.
Tu illum adjuva
Sancta Maria.
Tu illum adjuva
Sancte Petre
Tu illum adjuva.
Sancte Paule
Tu ilum adjuva.
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!
Rex regum.
Christus vincit!
Rex noster.
Christus regnat!
Gloria nostra.
Christus imperat!
Ipsi soli imperium, gloria et potestas
Per immortalia saeculae saeculorum. Amen.
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!
Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ commands!
Graciously hear us, Christ.
To the supreme Pontiff and Pope of the universal Church, long life!
Saviour of the world, do Thou help him.
Saint Mary, do thou help him.
Saint Peter, do thou help him.
Saint Paul, do thou help him.
Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ commands!
King of kings.
Christ conquers!
Our King.
Christ reigns!
Our glory.
Christ commands!
To Him alone be there loyalty unfailing, glory and power
For ever and ever. Amen.
Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ commands!
~~~
Feste (Come away, death) from Iain Bell's song cycle These Motley Fools, performed by Simon Lepper with Lawrence Zazzo, a former member of King's College Choir. Feste (Come away, death) is included on the new album Proud Songsters.
Proud Songsters is a journey through the distinctive musical genre of English Song. This collection of 20 songs – familiar and lesser known – are performed by some of the finest former members of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge with one of this generation’s most exceptional pianists.
Each of the nine alumni featured on this album sang as young adults at King’s, alongside pianist Simon Lepper, a graduate of King’s. The songs included on the album span settings of Shakespeare songs, those of prominent 20th Century composers Vaughan Williams, Britten, Finzi, Clarke and Howells through to contemporary works by Jonathan Dove, Iain Bell and Celia Harper. The album includes a specially-commissioned essay on the works by Stephen Banfield, and the CD includes a special bonus track sung by Gerald Finley and Christopher Keyte.
~~~
Come away, come away, death,
And in sad cypress let me be laid.
Fly away, fly away breath,
I am slain by a fair cruel maid.
My shroud of white, stuck all with yew,
O, prepare it!
My part of death, no one so true
Did share it.
Not a flower, not a flower sweet
On my black coffin let there be strown.
Not a friend, not a friend greet
My poor corpse, where my bones shall be thrown.
A thousand thousand sighs to save,
Lay me, O, where
Sad true lover never find my grave,
To weep there!
William Shakespeare (c.1564–1616)
~~~
The music of Iain Bell is published by Chester Music Limited, part of Wise Music Group.
℗ King's College, Cambridge
www.kingscollegerecordings.com
'Crucifixus a6' by Antonio Lotti (1667–1740), sung on Easter from King's 2021, broadcast by the BBC on 3 April 2021.
The Choristers of the Choir of King's College Cambridge
The King's Singers
Matthew Martin, organist
Daniel Hyde, conductor
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
@kingssingersvideos
Patrick Dunachie (countertenor)
Edward Button (countertenor)
Julian Gregory (tenor)
Christopher Bruerton (baritone)
Nick Ashby (baritone)
Jonathan Howard (bass)
~~~
Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato:
Passus, et sepultus est.
~
He was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate:
He suffered and was buried.
~~~
'God so loved the world' by John Stainer (1840-1901), sung on Easter from King's 2021, broadcast by the BBC on 3 April 2021.
The Choristers of the Choir of King's College Cambridge
The King's Singers
Daniel Hyde, conductor
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
@kingssingersvideos:
Patrick Dunachie (countertenor)
Edward Button (countertenor)
Julian Gregory (tenor)
Christopher Bruerton (baritone)
Nick Ashby (baritone)
Jonathan Howard (bass)
~~~
God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world
to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved.
(John 3 vv. 16, 17)
To Gratiana dancing and singing, by William Denis Browne, performed by Simon Lepper and Ashley Riches, alumni of King's College.
###
Words Richard Lovelace (1617-57).
See! With what constant motion
Even, and glorious, as the sun,
Gratiana steers that noble frame,
Soft as her breast, sweet as her voice
That gave each winding law and poise,
And swifter than the wings of Fame.
Each step trod out a lover’s thought
And the ambitious hopes he brought,
Chain’d to her brave feet with such arts;
Such sweet command, and gentle awe,
As when she ceas’d, we sighing saw
The floor lay pav’d with broken hearts.
So did she move; so did she sing
Like the harmonious spheres that bring
Unto their rounds their music’s aid;
Which she performed such a way,
As all th’enamoured world will say:
The Graces danced, and Apollo play’d.
###
Proud Songsters is a journey through the distinctive musical genre of English Song. This collection of 20 songs – familiar and lesser known – are performed by some of the finest former members of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge with one of this generation’s most exceptional pianists.
Each of the nine alumni featured on this album sang as young adults at King’s, alongside pianist Simon Lepper, a graduate of King’s. The songs included on the album span settings of Shakespeare songs, those of prominent 20th Century composers Vaughan Williams, Britten, Finzi, Clarke and Howells through to contemporary works by Jonathan Dove, Iain Bell and Celia Harper. The album includes a specially-commissioned essay on the works by Stephen Banfield, and the CD includes a special bonus track sung by Gerald Finley and Christopher Keyte.
www.kingscollegerecordings.com
'In dulci jubilo', set by R. L. Pearsall, from BBC Carols from King's 2020. Broadcast in the UK on Christmas Eve 2020.
The Choristers of the Choir of King's College Cambridge
The King's Singers
Matthew Martin, organist
Daniel Hyde, conductor
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
The King's Singers:
Patrick Dunachie (countertenor)
Edward Button (countertenor)
Julian Gregory (tenor)
Christopher Bruerton (baritone)
Nick Ashby (baritone)
Jonathan Howard (bass)
https://www.youtube.com/kingssingersv...
Text:
In dulci jubilo [In quiet joy]
Let us our homage show
Our heart’s joy reclineth
In praesepio [in a manger]
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio! [in the mother’s lap]
Alpha es et O! [Thou art Alpha & Omega]
O Jesu parvule [O tiny Jesus]
I yearn for Thee alway;
Listen to my ditty,
O puer optime! [O best of boys]
Have pity on me, pity
O princeps gloriae! [Prince of glory]
Trahe me post te! [draw me unto thee]
O patris caritas, [O father’s caring]
O nati lenitas, [O newborn’s mildness]
Deeply were we stained
Per nostra crimina [by our crimes]
But Thou, hast for us gainèd
Coelorum gaudia. [heavenly joy]
O that we were there!
Ubi sunt gaudia [where be joys]
If that they be not there?
There are angels singing
Nova cantica: [new songs]
There the bells are ringing
In Regis curia. [at the king’s court]
O that we were there!
'In the bleak mid-winter', with music by Gustav Holst and arranged by Mack Wilberg, from BBC Carols from King's 2020. Broadcast in the UK on Christmas Eve 2020.
The Choristers of the Choir of King's College Cambridge
The King's Singers
Matthew Martin, organist
Daniel Hyde, conductor
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
The King's Singers:
Patrick Dunachie (countertenor)
Edward Button (countertenor)
Julian Gregory (tenor)
Christopher Bruerton (baritone)
Nick Ashby (baritone)
Jonathan Howard (bass)
youtube.com/kingssingersvideos
Text:
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter,
Long ago.
Our God, Heav’n cannot hold him
Nor earth sustain;
Heav’n and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ.
What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give him,
Give my heart.
An extract from Peace on Earth, the title track on the new EP of choral music by acclaimed contemporary composer Errollyn Wallen.
Released on all digital platforms to stream or download on 13 November 2020.
Subscribe to the King's College Choir's channel: https://smarturl.it/KCCYouTube
© 2020 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com
Bruckner's heavenly motet, Christus factus est, from Sir Stephen Cleobury's final album with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. Available from 16 October 2020 to stream, download & on SACD with HD surround sound.
Subscribe to the King's College Choir's channel: https://smarturl.it/KCCYouTube
© 2020 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com
Parker Ramsay, former Organ Scholar, performing the first variation from Bach's Goldberg Variations in the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge.
Follow Parker on...
Facebook: facebook.com/ParkerTheHarper
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ParkerTheHa...
Twitter: twitter.com/ParkerTheHarper
Subscribe to the King's College Choir's channel: https://smarturl.it/KCCYouTube
© 2020 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com
Parker Ramsay, former Organ Scholar, performing the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations in the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge.
Follow Parker on...
Facebook: facebook.com/ParkerTheHarper
Instagram: instagram.com/ParkerTheHarper
Twitter: twitter.com/ParkerTheHarper
Subscribe to the King's College Choir's channel: https://smarturl.it/KCCYouTube
© 2020 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com
James Gilchrist presents a half-hour musical tour of Bach's St Matthew Passion, recorded in April 2020 while social distancing measures were in place.
Musical examples are taken from performances at King's College, Cambridge, April 2019, recorded live for King's College Recordings.
Featured artists:
James Gilchrist | Evangelist
Matthew Rose | Jesus
Sophie Bevan | soprano
David Allsopp | countertenor
William Gaunt | bass
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
William Crane | Peter
Charlie Baigent | High Priest
The Choir of King’s College School, Cambridge | ripieno choir
Academy of Ancient Music
Thomas Pitt | cello
Christopher Bucknall | organ
Bojan Čičić | violin
Rudolpho Richter | violin
Rachel Beckett | flute
Reiko Ichise | viola da gamba
Stephen Cleobury | conductor
James Gilchrist is on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCYR2lVC2A2Op26hYs5fpT2g
© 2020 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com
From Movement 67: 'Nun ist der Herr zur Ruh gebracht'
One of the greatest masterpieces of sacred music, J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion, in a new recording by Sir Stephen Cleobury with the Academy of Ancient Music. Available to stream, download & on SACD with HD surround sound.
Subscribe to the King's College Choir's channel: https://smarturl.it/KCCYouTube
© 2020 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com
'O vos omnes' by Pablo Casals, as sung on Easter from King's 2020, broadcast by the BBC on 11 April 2020. Recorded before social distancing measures were put in place.
~~~
O vos ómnes qui transítis per víam, atténdite et vidéte:
Si est dólor símilis sícut dólor méus.
Atténdite, univérsi pópuli, et vidéte dolórem méum.
Si est dólor símilis sícut dólor méus.
###
O all you who walk by on the road, pay attention and see:
if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.
Pay attention, all people, and look at my sorrow:
if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.
~~~
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
Donal McCann | organ
Daniel Hyde | Director of Music
Student members of King’s College | Readers
The Revd Dr Stephen Cherry | Dean
BBC © 2019 | Used under licence by King's College Recordings kingscollegerecordings.com
'And I saw a new heaven' by Edgar Bainton, as sung on Easter from King's 2020, broadcast by the BBC on 11 April 2020. Recorded before social distancing measures were put in place.
~~~
‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
'And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
'And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
'And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.'
(Revelation 21.1–4)
~~~
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
Donal McCann | organ
Daniel Hyde | Director of Music
Student members of King’s College | Readers
The Revd Dr Stephen Cherry | Dean
BBC © 2019 | Used under licence by King's College Recordings kingscollegerecordings.com
One of the greatest masterpieces of sacred music, J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion, in a new recording by Sir Stephen Cleobury with the Academy of Ancient Music. Available to stream, download & on SACD with HD surround sound.
Subscribe to the King's College Choir's channel: https://smarturl.it/KCCYouTube
© 2020 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com
One of the greatest masterpieces of sacred music, J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion, in a new recording by Sir Stephen Cleobury with the Academy of Ancient Music. Available to stream, download & on SACD with HD surround sound.
Subscribe to the King's College Choir's channel: https://smarturl.it/KCCYouTube
© 2020 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com
The opening chorus from one of the greatest masterpieces of sacred music, J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion. Taken from the new recording by Sir Stephen Cleobury with the Academy of Ancient Music, available from 27 March 2020 to stream, download & on SACD with HD surround sound.
Subscribe to the King's College Choir's channel: https://smarturl.it/KCCYouTube
© 2020 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com
The thrilling final movement from Messiaen's nine-part La Nativité, performed by Richard Gowers on the organ of King's College Chapel, Cambridge. The culmination of the entire cycle owes its vast fame at least in part to the worldwide annual broadcast of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Written in 1935, La Nativité du Seigneur is one of Messiaen’s most popular organ works, and a piece that helped to establish the then 27 year-old as an important figure in contemporary music.
Born in 1994, Richard Gowers is a British organist, pianist and conductor. After becoming a prize-winning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists at the age of 17, he took the distinguished position of organ scholar at King’s College, Cambridge in 2014.
Richard's first solo recital album is available on the King's College label: http://smarturl.it/messiaen
© 2018 King's College Recordings
Away in a Manger, arranged by Stephen Cleobury, from BBC Carols from King's 2019, in memory of Sir Stephen Cleobury (1948–2019). Broadcast in the UK on Christmas Eve 2019.
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Away in a Manger – Traditional Normandy Tune arr. R. Jacques
'Ding! dong! merrily on high', arranged by David Willcocks, from BBC Carols from King's 2019. Broadcast in the UK on Christmas Eve 2019.
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
'Sussex Carol', arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams, from BBC Carols from King's 2019. Broadcast in the UK on Christmas Eve 2019.
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
'Coventry Carol' by Kenneth Leighton from BBC Carols from King's 2019. Broadcast in the UK on Christmas Eve 2019.
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
As the sun set on 23 December 2018 and darkness fell, a small group of people huddled around a gas fire on the cobbles outside King’s College. Later, they returned to their tents for a few hours of sleep. It’s all they got, for in the early hours of the morning they were joined by hundreds of others as a queue formed outside the College. They were to be first in line to collect tickets to A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which would take place in the Chapel nearly twelve hours later.
One hundred years earlier and there was no such midnight queue. A substantially smaller congregation gathered in the Chapel for a new type of service: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in King’s College Chapel upon Christmas Eve 1918. War had recently ended. Many, if not all, were grieving the loss of family, friends and colleagues. Just across the river, the First Eastern General Hospital was still busy dealing with the wounded.
Eric Milner-White, Chaplain of King’s before the war, padre in the trenches during it, and now Dean, would have been mourning the losses too. It was Milner-White who felt that something different from the traditional festive Evensong was needed. And so, though not with universal support, there took place the first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s. It began not with ‘Once in royal David’s city’, but with ‘Up! Good Christian folk, and listen’; this particular tradition wouldn’t begin until the following year.
Ten years later, with the service now an annual fixture, it was broadcast for the first time by the BBC. The engineers struggled with the acoustic and, perhaps as a result, didn’t return the following Christmas. But the service was broadcast once more in 1930 and has since become one of the world’s longest-running annual broadcasts. As the decades have passed, the sound of the broadcast has improved; the fundamentals of the occasion have nevertheless remained largely the same.
2018 had particular significance: not only was it the 100th anniversary of the Festival, but it was the last of 37 under the musical direction of Stephen Cleobury. King’s, with its own record label established seven years earlier, recorded the service itself alongside the BBC engineers. Unlike the muddy stereo broadcast of 1918, it was captured this time in pristine surround-sound. While the first service, now more than a century ago, will never be heard again, the 100th anniversary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols lives on. The tradition continues too, but this particularly special moment of time is kept for posterity.
© 2019 King's College Recordings – kingscollegerecordings.com


