Nine Lessons and Carols

The Choir Of Magdalen College; Oxford

ISBN 10: 1904883079 ISBN 13: 9781904883074

Publisher: Classical Communications Ltd, 2004

Synopsis

Nine Lessons and Carols A traditional Christmas service, from one of Oxford's finest buildings, the fifteenth century chapel of Magdalen College, Oxford, where there has been a continuous choral tradition since the 1480s. Boys' voices soar in the fine acoustics, in an evocative and moving programme of Christmas music and readings. 1. Once in royal David's City. 2. Bidding Prayer, followed by The Lord's Prayer. 3. The truth sent from above. 4. 1st Lesson: Genesis 3:8-15 5. De profundis, Arvo Pärt. 6. 2nd Lesson: Genesis 22:15-18 7. O remember Adam's fall, Grayston Ives. 8. 3rd Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7. 9. Riu, riu chiu, Mateo Flecha. 10. 4th Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-9 11. How beautiful upon the mountains, John Stainer 12. 5th Lesson: Luke 1:26-38. 13. Es ist ein' 'Ros entsprungen, Michael Praetorius. 14. 6th Lesson: Matthew 1:18-23 15. Unto us is born a Son. 16. All sons of Adam. 17. Sweet was the song, Grayston Ives. 18. 7th Lesson: Luke 2:8-16. 19. Rise up, shepherd! 20. 8th Lesson: Matthew 2:1-11. 21. There shall a star, Mendelssohn. 22. 9th Lesson: John 1:1-14. 23. All this time. 24. Collect for Christmas Eve. 25. O come, all ye faithful. 26. The Blessing. 27. Paean, Leighton.

About this title

About the Author

The fifteenth century tower of Magdalen College is one of Oxford's most famous and beautiful landmarks. Situated at the Eastern end of the famous 'High', a street universally acknowledged as one of the finest in Europe, the college was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete. In 1480 provision was made for eight singing-men, four chaplains and 16 boy choristers, thus creating one of the oldest and largest choral foundations in late-medieval England. With the more recent addition of four clerks and two Organ Scholars, that tradition has been maintained to this day. The Choristers are educated at Magdalen College School, while the Academical Clerks are all undergraduates at Magdalen reading a variety of subjects. The Director of Music, Bill Ives, still retains the ancient Latin title, Informator Choristarum (Instructor of the Choristers). Many notable musicians have held this post, including John Sheppard, Daniel Purcell (brother of Henry), Sir John Stainer, Sir William McKie and Bernard Rose. The choir has a particular assocation with Christmas carols, since it was Sir John Stainer together with a Magdalen colleague, Rev. HR Bramley, who published in 1871 one of the first ever collections of Christmas carols, 'Carols New and Old'. This volume's mixture of historically researched carols from medieval England onwards, with the addition of newly-composed pieces, provided a model for carol collections which has remained in common use ever since. The main duty of the Choir is to sing daily in the College Chapel; during the University Term there are seven choral services each week. The Choir also sings at a number of special occasions throughout the academic year, including the great May Day celebrations, an ancient tradition dating back to c.1509. In recent years Magdalen College Choir has sung in Japan, USA, Hungary, Italy, Belgium and France, in 1997 they made their debut at the BBC Proms.

Edition details

• Publisher: Classical Communications Ltd
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1904883079
• ISBN 13: 9781904883074
• Binding: Audio CD
• Number of pages: 1