Festival of 9 Lessons & Carols, King's College Cambridge 2013

[MickyD]

Anna, the TV version is recorded at the beginning of December http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/ch...e-lessons.html

The organ sound coming through my speakers on the TV version was terrific.

Until reading these posts, I had absolutely no idea that the TV version was different to the radio one...I feel really let-down that what I watched was not recorded on Christmas Eve!

[VodkaDilc]

Until reading these posts, I had absolutely no idea that the TV version was different to the radio one...I feel really let-down that what I watched was not recorded on Christmas Eve!

For that reason I have never watched the television version. In the past, the timing would not fit with travel arrangements, but even now, when I am at home, I want to keep the King's experience as sound only - and leave the pictures to my imagination.

[Simon Biazeck]

The TV version, which I caught the last bit of, is recorded, I think, sometime months ahead and bears no resemblence to the radio version, for one thing, the tv is only 75 mins and sanitised

Yes, I know! Indeed, it is pre-recorded.

[Anna]

Yes, I know! Indeed, it is pre-recorded.

Better a pre-recorded Christmas Card style Carol concert than no televised programme at all ...... ?
Festive Greetings to all on the Choir Thread - Yea, even to the girl choristers and those who occasionally chuck a few spoons in the Lady Chapel!!

[Padraig]

Anna,

Be it ever so inappropriate, and goodness me! The Choir is probably the least likely to appreciate an intrusion from a lad like me! But what the Hades, it's Christmas, the season of goodwill etc, and I feel an affectionate burst coming on whenever I see the Mary Pickford of the Valleys venturing to express a mot or two. So let me just say that whatever you say here or anywhere I agree! And a Happy Christmas to you and The Choir!

[VodkaDilc]

There is a splendid version of this on a Hyperion disc of 18th century Christmas carols from The Parley of Instruments and a gutsy choir!

This CD is an all-time favourite of mine - a superb contrast to the usual repertoire.

And an extra vote from me in favour of the Williamson arrangement of Ding Dong. I've often looked at it in the Novello Book, but have never heard it performed. I hope we can hear more of it - and less of the dreary Weir piece!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Can anyone give a link for this recording? I've tried (and failed)

[VodkaDilc]

Can anyone give a link for this recording? I've tried (and failed)

Which recording?

If you mean the Carols From English Parish Churches, it's:

http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/al.asp?al=CDA66924

[Simon Biazeck]

Better a pre-recorded Christmas Card style Carol concert than no televised programme at all ...... ?
Festive Greetings to all on the Choir Thread - Yea, even to the girl choristers and those who occasionally chuck a few spoons in the Lady Chapel!!

I was just singing with girls (women, to be exact) - the best by a mile at the London Oratory, but let's not get into that! Have a good one, or what's left of it!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Which recording?

If you mean the Carols From English Parish Churches, it's:

http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/al.asp?al=CDA66924

That's the one. Many thanks.

[Mr Stoat]

I can never understand the oft-expressed views of "....more of the same" "......same old format" "..........yawn" etc re Kings 9LC. For me, it is the very "sameness" that provides a comforting continuity from year to year. There are always going to be pieces that do not appeal, but there is variety of style. To pick up on a couple of points, congregational singing is rarely "perfect" - especially in a big building with a big acoustic and a big congregation, so waywardness in this respect should not be a criticism. I preferred SC's original set of descants to some of the later ones, but I would not say there was anything "wrong" with the later ones. I have to say that I prefer Willcocks for "O come" - v.3 may be a bit hackneyed now (especially as some people in congregations seem to think that's how the tune goes in that verse and try to sing along!) but the v.4 arrangement...."WORD of the Father...." Every hair on my body has just stood on end thinking about it! Sadly, I missed the broadcast this year, as our power came back on after 12 hours, at 14.50 and I had to go to church and do the organ practice I normally do first thing on Xmas Eve :-(

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

... but the v.4 arrangement...."WORD of the Father...." Every hair on my body has just stood on end thinking about it! -(

Yes, it's just brilliant. I remember an organist friend dismissing it this: "Oh it just goes into A minor" :grr"

[ardcarp]

I can never understand the oft-expressed views of "....more of the same" "......same old format" "..........yawn" etc re Kings 9LC. For me, it is the very "sameness" that provides a comforting continuity from year to year. There are always going to be pieces that do not appeal, but there is variety of style. To pick up on a couple of points, congregational singing is rarely "perfect" - especially in a big building with a big acoustic and a big congregation, so waywardness in this respect should not be a criticism. I preferred SC's original set of descants to some of the later ones, but I would not say there was anything "wrong" with the later ones. I have to say that I prefer Willcocks for "O come" - v.3 may be a bit hackneyed now (especially as some people in congregations seem to think that's how the tune goes in that verse and try to sing along!) but the v.4 arrangement...."WORD of the Father...." Every hair on my body has just stood on end thinking about it! Sadly, I missed the broadcast this year, as our power came back on after 12 hours, at 14.50 and I had to go to church and do the organ practice I normally do first thing on Xmas Eve :-(

I agree, Mr Stoat, repetition of a few standards is all part of the Kings' format. I am slightly amused that at carol services here in Norway (sorry to keep harping on about it) nowadays sing a lot of trad English carol/hymns, O Come, Hark the Herald, etc, etc, with the Willcocks descant. This was not so 30 years ago when, if I recall correctly, all were 'traditional' (though actually rather foursquare Germanic) Norwegian carols in Norwegian.

[Nick Armstrong]

Anna,
...let me just say that whatever you say here or anywhere I agree!

Wiser words were ne'er uttered in t'Forum

The TV version, which I caught the last bit of, is recorded, I think, sometime months ahead and bears no resemblence to the radio version, for one thing, the tv is only 75 mins and sanitised

Anna, the TV version is recorded at the beginning of December http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/ch...e-lessons.html

The organ sound coming through my speakers on the TV version was terrific.

Yes, I've never had a problem with having a TV version as a counterpart to the live 3pm Christmas Eve ceremony - the latter would be spoiled by TV cameras for those attending; and the TV recording from a few weeks earlier gives an opportunity for some interesting alternative readings (over the years there have been poetry and prose of varying kinds) plus some more 'mainstream' carols more apt (perhaps) for a TV audience. Personally, I'd take 'The Angel Gabriel' over that Thea Musgrave mistake any day.

Plus the sound on the TV broadcast has often in the past been much more grateful on the ear than that from the cruel digital mikes used by radio (although the difference was less marked this year). And yes, Pet - the bass organ notes came over a treat on the telly here as well !

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

There is a splendid version of this on a Hyperion disc of 18th century Christmas carols from The Parley of Instruments and a gutsy choir!

It was played on Sunday morning's Breakfast (c. 28 minutes, even though not featured in the playlist): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03lz84p