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Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium, Christmas Favourites

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents Christmas favourites from the classical and folk worlds. Plus the 100th edition of Meet My Choir, a weekly celebration of amateur singing.

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents a selection of Christmas vocal favourites from the classical and folk worlds, including Tallis, Jon Boden, JS Bach, Vaughan Williams and Steeleye Span. Her choral classic this week is "O Magnum Mysterium" by the contemporary American composer Morten Lauridsen, composed in 1994 but already one of the best-loved vocal works of the last quarter-century.

Plus, we'll be marking the 100th edition of Meet My Choir", our weekly celebration of amateur choral music-making, with a special event in the studio - as we look back over the century of choirs from across the nation who have showcased their stories on the programme.

Leontovych, arr Wilhousky: Carol of the Bells
Westminster Choir
Joseph Flummerfelt, conductor

Traditional: Lully, lulla, thow littel tyne child (Coventry Carol)
New York Polyphony

Poulenc: Quem vidistis pastores (Quatre Motet Pour Le Temps De No毛l)
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers, conductor

JS Bach: Jauchzet, frohlocket (Christmas Oratorio)
Bach Collegium Japan
Masaaki Suzuki, conductor

Trad, arr Jon Boden: The Boar's Head Carol

Trad, arr Steeleye Span: Gaudete
Steeleye Span

Traditional Welsh: Tawel Nos
Cwlwm

Tallis: Sanctus & Benedictus (Missa Puer est natus)

Morten Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium

Vaughan Williams: The First Nowell (finale)
Sarah Fox, soprano
Joyful Company of Singers
City of London Sinfonia
Richard Hickox, conductor

JS Bach: Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein (Christmas Oratorio)
Dunedin Consort
John Butt, conductor.

1 hour, 15 minutes

Music Played

  • Mykola Leontovych

    Carol of the Bells

    Choir: Handel and Haydn Society Chorus. Conductor: Harry Christophers.
    • CORO COR16117.
    • CORO.
    • 19.
  • Michael Praetorius

    Es ist ein ros' entsprungen

    Choir: Trapp Family Choir.
    • DG RECORDS : 00289-474 5552.
    • DG RECORDS.
    • 1.
  • Crofters From South Uist

    Taladh an Leinibh Losa (Christ Child Lullaby)

  • Trad

    Sherburne

    Choir: The Sacred Heart Singers of Fyffe, Alabama.
    • Songs of Christmas from the Alan Lomax Collection.
    • Rounder.
    • 16.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Jauchzet frohlocket, auf... (Christmas Oratorio BWV. 248)

    Ensemble: Dunedin Consort. Conductor: John Butt.
    • Bach Christmas Oratorio.
    • Linn.
    • 1.
  • Cecilia McDowall

    O Oriens

    Choir: St John's College Cambridge Choir. Conductor: Andrew Nethsingha.
    • SIGNUM SIGCD4458.
    • SIGNUM.
    • 4.
  • Rabble Chorus

    What shall we do with the drunken sailor

  • Mind And Soul Choir, Maudsley Hospital

    People will find a way I do believe

  • Tilehurst Rock Choir

    Someone Like You

  • Steeleye Span

    Gaudete

    • CHRYALIS CCD1467.
    • CHRYALIS.
    • 1.
  • Thomas Tallis

    Agnus Dei (Missa Puer natus est nobis)

    Choir: Stile Antico.
    • Harmonia Mundi HMU807517.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 8.
  • Morten Lauridsen

    O Magnum Mysterium

    Ensemble: VOCES8.
  • Francis Poulenc

    Hodie Christus Natus Est (Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noel)

    Choir: RIAS Chamber Choir. Conductor: Marcus Creed.
  • England.Traditional

    The Boar's Head Carol

    Performer: Jon Boden.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    The First Nowell (finale)

    Singer: Sarah Fox. Choir: The Joyful Company of Singers. Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
    • CHANDOS CHAN10385.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 20.
  • The Evangelist Church Singers

    Yesus

  • Jesse Reeves

    Alleluia! A new voice is come on hand

    Performer: Richard Pearce. Choir: 麻豆社 Singers. Conductor: David Hill.

Broadcast

  • Christmas Day 2016 15:45

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