King's College Cambridge 2008 #14 In the Bleak Midwinter Harold Darke

[naizret]

Very very nicely done. I first heard this at St Pancras church in London in 1975 and have loved it ever since. Thanks and Merry Christmas from across the pond. 

[gunandapackofsndwchs]

Tenor soloist outstanding!

[Agoonatach]

I have loved this hymn as far back as I can remember, and I am 84. I was a choir boy in a boarding school, and I think back then almost all such institutions practiced religion. We had a short service every morning, and a full service and later vespers on Sunday. I don't think it did me any harm.

Why do you suppose they had to change the music? The original was as good as it could be.

God bless

[balanceasia]

@Agoonatach The hymn that you love is Gustav Holst's composition of 1906. This one is the 1909 version by Harold Darke. Both are based on Christina Rossetti's poem written decades before. Each version has its fans. The Darke version is appreciated by cathedral choirs because it is arranged to offer soprano and tenor solos.

Merry Christmas to you!

[viewfromwilmington]

longeaton34, I don't recall hearing a tenor perform a decrescendo on his last note before this, but I thought it was very musically done. Thank you for pointing it out.

[baino770]

this is out of time and off pitch on more than one occasion. Massively disappointing I'd say...

[56djrw]

@baino770 ...then don't say anything1

[manthasagittarius1]

What a wonderful, clear and unpretentious tenor they had that year. I hope he is doing well and pleasing many as he goes.

[zollykod]

@manthasagittarius1

Delighted to read this and other comments praising the tenor's performance. I taught him music in primary school and he was remarkable then too... :-)

[spiritdei]

@zollykod Good work, you must be very proud!

[zollykod]

@spiritdei Thanks! Strangely I DO feel very proud, although I really had very little to do with his success - but he was always lovely, and always SOOO musical and with an amazing voice...(the last I heard was that he is into jazz singing!)...

[Astron278]

I couldn't say which I prefer, anyhow it's pointless to rank them or anything. Holst's tune is more memorable and his harmonies more poignant, but Darke's version is more varied and a touch more refined.

[aNGLICANcHOIR92]

@mouslets5 I also prefer the Darke. Everyone I know prefers Holst and I don't understand it!

[rsozberry]

Lovely......

[LochGilly]

.

.

.

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

[zzzut]

@mouslets5 I am no expert, of course, but I think Holst wrote the one I don't care for... Anyway, the one here is the one I like no matter who composed it! ;)

[passatboi]

Metathesized or syncopated from original IPA: /ˈaɪrən/. Reversing the pronunciation of I-ron to I-ern is just like changing "ask" to "aks" or "asterisk" to "asteriks". This may be acceptable in speech, but is not recommended in singing. The word Iron is on two notes: I - ron. With a nice flipped R. Not I - ern.

[dravidwake]

@passatboi When singing it is often necessary to take liberties with the pronunciation of words to make them more music. The "r" in iron is silent in any case and would sound horrible if sounded when sung..

[olivebleu]

My very favourite Carol..My Christmas is never complete 'til I've heard this sung ♥

[lydsifbenja]

A very touching carol, beatifully sang!

[zzzut]

Great performance. I like the Harold Darke version so much more than the other one.

[remyworldpeace]

I'm not a Christian but I love this song.

Peace and respect!

[magelpie]

Such a fine performance of this lovely, moving work. I shared it on Facebook yesterday, in honor of the poet/lyricist Christina Rossetti’s 180th birthday (!!).

[LoreneFaith]

A nice song to listen to on a cold, snowy night with a nice hot cup of tea :) warms the soul.

[AlAlvares1]

Love this really so true and cool!

[spiritualhealingct]

So beautiful

[iamtroyjones]

you guys set the standard of how music should be song

[timothyj1966]

snow on snow... so peacefull.... sublime angelic voices.. wafting up throught the falling snow... would love to attend this service some Christmas Eve... this choir is in my opinion some of the finest singing ever... this arrangement the best... organ setttings... lovely

[passatboi]

I-ron not i-ern. Come on boys, diction!

[Eurofrank1]

Oh ye of little knowledge!

[k8ibob8i315]

@passatboi i sang this solo under 3 choir directors, and each one of them wanted i-ern. if you say iron out loud, it doesn't sound like i-ron.

[goodchappy]

@passatboi ? It is "i ern" in English in the UK where the English language started we also say herb with an H not "erb" like Americans.

You are forgiven if you were actually saying that as a joke :-)

[toddabearsf]

@passatboi - no way on God's green earth is "iron" pronounced "eye-ron." It's pronounced "eye-earn." Besides, anyone who faults the diction of King's College Choir of Cambridge is taking an enormous risk of appearing a fool, I say, because there is no better choir anywhere.

[bubba68086]

Breathtaking performance of the Darke anthem! Bravo and thanks from the States.

[normalil]

Thanks I loved this.

[Singingjacobus]

Doing this solo today. And no, not a "heartful of mirth" as reprinted in earlier editions!

[spiritdei]

Hope it goes well Singingjacobus!

[LaFarfalla246]

Why do young boys have such beautiful angelic singing voices? I always think they sound so much nicer than when girls sing together. Of course, there are many girls with lovely singing voices too but as far as choirs go, I don't think you can get any better than young boys. Their voices always sound so clear and sweet.

[swbmaniac]

Spiritus Dei: Thanks for the whole series of these.  We don't have boys' choirs in the states, for the most part, and this is truly sublime. One question: which Sunday of Advent is this done on, or is it Christmas Eve? I ask because I just have to hear it live some day.

[choirboyfromhell1]

No boy choirs in the states...don't tell that to my brethren in Akron, Ohio or the fellows on Fifth Avenue, New York! I can think of a dozen Episcopal Churches were the tradition is still strong. Threatened yes, but still there.

[KateFan]

@swbmaniac The Festival of Nine Carols is performed at 3pm on Christmas Eve but you'll have to queue early to get in.

[ald2345]

Good to see Alex Stobbs singing in the back row.

[timothyj1966]

the counterparts that the organ...plays through this....is amazing....with just the right Chapel settings for tone....

[pollr003]

yeah i prefer the holst version too. I like having the choir on its own and just the beauty of the the human voice on its own!

[timothyj1966]

@pollr003 give it another listen....to the organ parts....and reconsider....I think the Chapel organ adds to the peaceful setting of this carol....Merry Christmas

[VlilV]

i prefer the holst setting

[batmanisalegend]

im so exited, doing the treble solo at my carol choir concert in all saints church

[YouAreSoRight]

Dear Batmanonsaleledgend.,

.

Are you really 47 years of age?

Cheers.

from,

del-boy.

[Eurofrank1]

This brings light into the Darke ness! Well done everyone! Five star stuff, as usual

[Rosiemoore]

Awesome! So simple and yet so powerful... we are singing this in our choir in 3 weeks, I did the solo last time (verse 1)

[timothyj1966]

stunning - absolutely peaceful for christmas, breathtaking....angelic...

[JohnnyNorfolk]

Just beautiful.

[envioustime]

Darke's setting to these beautiful words by Christina Rossetti is most definitely my favourite. The choir sing this beautifully (brought a tear to my eye). Thanks for posting.

[markdavinobenza]

haha, they go a little flat at the end... when the organ comes in you can tell... really beautiful though

[longeaton34]

Perfect and sublime. Harold Darke at his best with those fabulous understated suspensions in the middle parts. And bravo to the lovely tenor - especially as he decresc'es followed by the full unaccompanied harmony of the last verse. Too beauiful for words.

[boblommesteijn]

In my next life, I'd like to come back as a man. There is nothing in this world more beautiful and touching then men's voices. (and treble's) Especially this Tenor is so amazing!

[JazzHalesBabyGurl]

I have to say. Though I am a girl, there is nothing more beautiful then a premature boys singing! *melts*

[sirinferno]

premature XD

although yeah, for this kind of music, boy trebles beat sopranos hands down

[choirboy526]

there are a few mistakes in it

[grandplans]

nothing could be more beautiful than this.

[UitdenNederlanden]

So beautiful and yet so little reactions, strange! Love this. greets from Holland

[jacksw4]

Beautiful is the only word for this. Congratulations to the choir!