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Last broadcast on Sat, 24 Dec 2011, 15:00 on BBC Radio 4.
Synopsis
For many people around the world, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, live from the candlelit chapel of King's College, Cambridge, marks the beginning of Christmas. It is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God. They are interspersed with carols old and new, sung by the world famous chapel choir who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.
Producer: Simon Vivian.
Listen to A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in Surround Sound
Listen to archive recordings of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings from 1958 and 2007 in surround Sound.
Kings College Service Booklet
Download a booklet of the the Kings College Service from the Kings College website.
ORDER OF SERVICE
Once in royal David's city (descant Cleobury)
Bidding Prayer read by the Dean
I wonder as I wander (Rütti)
First lesson: Genesis 3, vv 8-19 read by a Chorister
Remember, O thou man (Ravenscroft)
Adam lay ybounden (Ord)
Second lesson: Genesis 22 vv 15-18 read by a Choral Scholar
Angels from the realms of glory (arr Jacques)
Riu, riu, chiu (Flecha)
Third lesson: Isaiah 9 vv 2, 6-7 read by a Member of College Staff
Nowell sing we now all and some (medieval)
Sussex Carol (arr Willcocks)
It came upon the midnight clear (descant Cleobury)
Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11 vv 1-3a, 4a, 6-9 read by a Representative of the City of Cambridge
A spotless rose (arr Ledger)
The Lamb (Tavener)
Fifth lesson: Luke 1 vv 26-35, 38 read by a Representative of Eton College
Blessed be that maid Mary (arr Cleobury)
Bogoróditse Dyévo (Pärt)
Sixth lesson: Luke 2 vv 1, 3-7 read by the Chaplain
Christmas Eve (Tansy Davies - first performance, commissioned by King's College)
Sans Day Carol (arr Rutter)
Seventh lesson: Luke 2 vv 8-16 read by the Director of Music
The Shepherd's Carol (Chilcott)
While shepherds watched (descant Cleobury)
Eighth lesson: Matthew 2 vv 1-12 read by the Vice-Provost
The Three Kings (Cornelius arr Atkins)
Illuminare, Jerusalem (Weir)
Ninth lesson: John 1 vv 1-14 read by the Provost
O come, all ye faithful (arr Willcocks)
Collect and Blessing
Hark! the herald angels sing (descant Willcocks)
Organ voluntaries:
In dulci jubilo BWV 729 (Bach)
Toccata, Op 104 (Jongen) [broadcast on Radio 3 on Christmas Day only]
Director of Music: Stephen Cleobury
Organ Scholar: Ben-San Lau
Broadcast
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Sat 24 Dec 201115:00
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