Words and Music

Organ Music

Tom Keogh got our proceedings off to an imposing start with Choral and Menuet Gothique, the first two movements of Suite Gothique (1895) by Léon Boëllmann. This is a staple of the organ repertoire and a favourite of Tom's. Later in the programme he played the remaining two movements, the rapt Prière à Notre Dame (which presumably means 'Prayer to Our Lady' and not 'Praying at Notre Dame'), and the stirring Toccata with its dramatic minor theme played on the pedals. French composer Boëllmann wrote some 160 pieces in various genres in his short life (he died at 35) but he is now known mainly for his organ works.

Tom's next two pieces were in the festive spirit. First J.S. Bach's Chorale Prelude on In Dulce Jubilo (BWV 729) and then the Prelude on The Holly and the Ivy by Herbert Sumsion.

Finally, to see us on our way with a spring in the step, Tom played us out with—what else?—the great Widor Toccata.

It is always thrilling to hear a good organ well played, and that is what we were treated to throughout the evening.

Carol Recordings, Neil Crutchley

While Shepherds Watched was an early 19th century setting by John Foster of Yorkshire. It is one of many tunes once used for this carol and has a lively and florid vocal part and a short but brilliant Handelian instrumental interlude between each verse. It is still sung as part of the pub carolling tradition around Sheffield and is known as "Old Foster".

Cold was the Day A beautiful, rarely-heard carol with both words and music by Sir John Stainer (1840–1901), composer of "The Crucifixion" and organist of St. Paul's Cathedral.

The Holly and the Ivy A 21st century setting by Stuart Thompson of these well-known words. It was the winner of the The Times Christmas Carol Competition in 2011. The minor-key setting and catchy organ accompaniment give it a hauntingly memorable quality that, once heard, is not easily forgotten.

Carol Recordings, David Fisher

David struck a personal note, with two carols sung by his Kingfisher Chorale and recordings old and new of his setting, 'Mary Laid Her Child', written when he was a teenager! You can listen to the recordings by the Wiener Sängerknaben and the Roden Boys Choir on YouTube.

Carol Recording, Paul Morley

Paul played us a carol recorded in Leicester's St. James the Greater when he was organist and choirmaster and Ben Morley was singing treble in the choir.

Poetry Readings

Ron Mitchell

November Night, Edinburgh by Norman MacCaig. This short poem evokes a raw, cold, foggy winter night, although it seems more a picture from the 1950s than of our recent, milder, climate-changed season. MacCaig (1910–1996) is a poet of vivid observation and telling, sometimes startling, images. Ron feels something of an affinity with him—they both attended the same Edinburgh school albeit 40 years apart. The last time Ron heard MacCaig read his verses he apologised for his bruised facial appearance: he had been 'mugged' the previous day. He was in his seventies at the time.

Christmas in India by Rudyard Kipling This is a rather pessimistic picture of Anglo-Indians trying to celebrate Christmas Day in the heat and dust of India, thinking of their fellow-countrymen in England and wondering if any of those at home are thinking of them. Written by 20-year-old Kipling in 1886 when he had been working for four years in Lahore and perhaps was questioning whether the British presence in India was worth while.

Christmas by John Betjeman Betjeman puts together several different images of Christmas: the festive outward appearances in his beloved Home Counties, the gift-buying commercial side, and, finally, the wonder of the Biblical story itself. In 1954 when it was written it was a contemporary picture; now, for those of us who date back to those times, it evokes a delightful nostalgia. Ron didn't remember that this poem was also read at our Victorian Evening last year by Richard Gill, but such a favourite bears any amount of repetition.

Mary Whittaker

The Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy The poet stands in a desolate winter's landscape which seems the 'corpse' of the century that has passed (the poem was written in 1900). There seems no hope for the future—but a ragged thrush begins to sing as if possessed of a joy and hope that the poet would like to share but does not feel. The interesting word 'darkling' in the title occurs nowhere in the poem.

Prose Readings

Neil Crutchley

The Carol Singers, from A Child's Christmas In Wales by Dylan Thomas It tells of three intrepid young boys, setting off on a cold Christmas night to sing carols at a large and gloomy house occupied by "no one we knew". As they creep up the drive to the door and begin to sing, they are joined by a frail, ghostly voice from "the other side of the door, through the keyhole"......

A Child's Christmas originated in a BBC Children's Hour broadcast in December 1945, which Thomas later augmented with other material. Here is a recording that Thomas himself made in 1952.

Dramatic Reading

Andrew Farrington

The Reverend Andrew Farrington, minister in pastoral charge of Christchurch, drew on his talents as an amateur actor in a spirited rendition of the conclusion of A Christmas Carol. He conjured up Ebenezer Scrooge, transformed and reformed by his ghostly visitors into goodness and generosity, as flamboyantly as Charles Dickens himself might have done.

Soloists

Ben Morley

The Holy Child by Frederick John Easthope Martin (1882–1925) This is a setting of the familiar words 'Away In A Manger' to a mellifluous tune beautifully sung by Ben. Easthope Martin was a light music composer primarily known for his popular songs. There is a short biography of him on Musicweb International (scroll down past some other interesting light composers).
Accompanist Paul Morley

Ave Maria by Michael Head (1900–1976) A setting of the traditional Latin 'Hail Mary' text, with an accompaniment that begins like tolling bells. See the Hyperion website to learn more about Michael Head.
Accompanist Paul Morley

Roy-Anthony Birch

Drake's Drum by Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924) The first of Stanford's Songs of the Sea, this setting of a poem by Sir Henry Newbolt reflects the legend that in the time of England's trouble Sir Francis Drake can be summoned to the rescue by the beating of his drum. This is a real drum which Drake left to be housed in his family home of Buckland Abbey, and which is now kept in a climate-controlled facility in central England. Roy-Anthony Birch's vigorous rendition evoked all the nautical patriotism of the era of its writing.
Accompanist Ian Orr

The Vagabond by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958) The first of VW's early (1904) song cycle Songs of Travel, to poems by that inveterate, restless traveler, Robert Louis Stevenson.
Accompanist Ian Orr

Esther Arens

Mary's Song by Colin McAlpin (1870–1942) "A Song of Bethlehem" is a sweet, gently rocking cradle song sung by the Virgin Mary to the sleeping Baby Jesus. It was composed in 1903 by McAlpin, possibly Leicester's greatest composer (although there is some dispute), in his cantata The Prince of Peace. You can freely download the sheet music here.
Accompanist David Fisher

Rejoice Greatly from Messiah by GF Handel (1685–1758) For our last solo of the evening Esther raised the energy level in this buoyant, joyous, virtuoso showpiece. Messiah is said to have been Handel's own favourite of his oratorios, an opinion shared by much of the music public.
Accompanist Ian Orr