Carols 2017
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In our Christmas programme this year we were joined by local harpist Rhian Evans, for Benjamin Britten’s celebrated Ceremony of Carols. This is a true gem of seasonal choral repertoire, written for upper voices in 1942 and setting a collection of Medieval poems. Britten uses voices and harp expertly to convey a range of moods; from the jubilant “Wolcum Yole”, to the bellicose drama of “This little Babe”, to the chill of “In freezing winter night”. There are also a number of solos and duets, including the gentle “Balulalow” and the merry “Spring Carol”.
The Britten was performed by sopranos and altos, and the tenors and basses had a few male voice carols of their own. These included an arrangement of “O holy night”, and a setting by Rutter of “Personent hodie”, which is taken from his cycle Dancing Day and also has harp accompaniment.
We had other carols from across the centuries for the full choir, two of which are by contemporary composers. “Noe noe” was written by David Bednall for Truro Cathedral Choir in 2010, and contrasts a loud and lively organ part with rhythmic and punchy choral sections. “The Heart-in-Waiting” by Bob Chilcott is an unaccompanied setting of a poem by Kevin Crossley-Holland, and words and music are at once mysterious and beautiful. There were other more familiar favourites too!
