This CD features two enigmatic historic archive recordings that where intended to evoke a very special type of Christmas atmosphere. There are few pieces of orchestral Christmas music that evoke the mood, magic and marvel that is the Festive season better than Hely-Hutchinson’s 1927 Carol Symphony (originally known as The Christmas Symphony), presented here transcribed from an early appearance on disc. Not only is it packed full of pleasing Yuletide visual imagery through its stirring musical interpretation of the joviality, excitement and heartening reflection of the season, it is also Hely-Hutchinson’s intelligent and imaginative way of providing a tingling anticipation for the listener, through his weaving of musical variations of familiar Carol melodies throughout the work. The symphony (predominantly its third movement) is synonymous with John Masefield’s story The Box of Delights through the dramatised adaptations of the story which first appeared on BBC radio’s Children’s Hour, a custom that continued with productions that followed. In 1984, the now much loved television production revived this tradition using stunning visuals alongside a more recent recording of the Symphony as its theme music. Hely-Hutchinson had a strong connection himself with the BBC. As a young man in 1927 he was employed by the corporation as a piano accompanist, later he was BBC’s Midland Regional Director of Music and at the time of his premature death, aged just 45, in 1947 he had reached the heights of Director of Music. Aptly, the 1958 field recording of a Carol Service from a Country Church begins where the story in The Box of Delights ends, with the ringing of the church bells signalling Christmas Eve and the congregation singing O’ Come, all ye Faithful. It is probably as authentic a sound recording as you are likely to find, the gentle patter of the congregation arriving, the shuffling in the pews, the communal singing and a muffled departure to the sound of the church organ after a moving version of Silent Night. The only thing that is absent is the voice of the vicar.

Perhaps a perfect set of recordings to curl up to during Christmas night with a nice, strong Posset to drink down!

1.

1.       PRELUDE – Allegro energico “Adeste Fideles”

2.       SCHERZO – Allegro molto moderato “God rest you merry, Gentlemen”

3.       ROMANCE – Andante quasi lento e cantabile “Lullay” – “The First Nowell” (theme from “The Box of Delights”)

4.       FINALE – Allegro energico come primo “Here we come a Wassailing”

 

Christmas Eve Carol Service in a Country Church

Field Recording of Church Choir, Organ & Congregation

5.       Bells, Organ

6.       O’ Come, all ye Faithful

7.       As with Gladness Men of Old

8.       Once in Royal David’s City

9.       The Holly and the Ivy

10.   Joy to the World

11.   The First Noel

12.   Good King Wenceslas

13.   Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

14.   Angels from the Realms of Glory

15.   Away in a Manger

16.   While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night

17.   Lullay, Thou Little Child

18.   I Saw Three Ships

19.   Silent Night, Holy Night (Stille Night)

20.   Organ, Congregation leaves the church

Bonus:

21.   The Orpington Junior Singers – O Little Town of Bethlehem

Playing Time: 75:33 minutes approx.