St John’s Smith Square Christmas Festival, Friday 15 December 2023

Please book directly via the St John's Smith Square booking page. Performance starts at 7.30pm. No dress code.

Advent & Christmas at New College

Choir of New College Oxford

Robert Quinney, DIRECTOR

Donal McCann, Marcus McDevitt, ORGANISTS
 

Sheppard, Verbum caro factum est

Anon. medieval, There is no rose

Byrd, Rorate caeli

Sheppard, Reges Tharsis

Daquin, Noel X 'en Grand Jeu et en Duo' (organ)

M Praetorius, Quem pastores laudavere

H Praetorius, Magnificat quinti toni

H Praetorius, Joseph lieber, Josef mein & In dulci jubilo

Martin, Adam lay ybounden

Cattley, Ivy, chief of trees it is

Young, The swete roose

Mathias, A babe is born

Barber, Chorale Prelude on 'Silent Night' (organ)

Wallen, Peace on earth

Marsh, O magnum mysterium

Edmundson, Toccata-Prelude on 'Vom Himmel hoch' (organ)

Byrt, All and some

Pott Balulalow Gardner, A Gallery Carol

Join New College Choir for a seasonal celebration encompassing traditional and contemporary music from around Europe, with a focus on early English and German Christmas music. The music ranges from the intimate to the grandiose, from quiet reflection to boisterous merriment—presented with New College Choir’s trademark verve and style.

Two great ‘cathedrals in sound’ by John Sheppard begin the programme, which then visits Lutheran Germany for music by Michael (of Wolfenbüttel) and Hieronymus (of Hamburg) Praetorius. In the second half, carols by living composers stand alongside late-20th century classics, all inspired by ancient Latin and medieval English texts: a musical counterpart to the New College itself—founded in 1379 with the choir, now famous far beyond the walls of the college, at its heart.