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New Carol for 2011
The lessons and prayers in the service have undergone only small changes over the years but the music constantly evolves. 30 years ago, when conductor and organist Stephen Cleobury came to King's, he was keen to demonstrate a commitment to contemporary music for the College's liturgies. He decided that one way of doing this would be to commission a new carol each year for inclusion in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols; thus a new tradition was born.
Tansy Davies
This year’s commission is by the young British composer Tansy Davies. Christina Rossetti (1830-94) wrote the words for the much-loved carol 'In the Bleak Midwinter' but Tansy Davies uses a less famous poem of Rossetti's called 'Christmas Eve' for her new work:
Christmas hath a darkness
Brighter than the blazing noon,
Christmas hath a chillness
Warmer than the heat of June,
Christmas hath a beauty
Lovelier than the world can show:
For Christmas bringeth Jesus,
Brought for us so low.
Earth, strike up your music,
Birds that sing and bells that ring;
Heaven hath answering music
For all Angels soon to sing:
Earth, put on your whitest
Bridal robe of spotless snow:
For Christmas bringeth Jesus,
Brought for us so low.
Christina Georgina Rossetti, written before 1886
Broadcasts
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BBC World ServiceSat 24 Dec 2011 15:00 GMT BBC World Service
