The Pro Nobis annual Christmas concert is on Sunday 16 December in St Mark's at
7.30 when the choir will be joined by organist, Ian Pattinson for a programme
of seasonal music and readings. Entitled 'Welcome Sir Christèmas', the main
work in the first half of the programme is William Mathias' tuneful Carol
Sequence 'Ave Rex' which concludes with a jaunty setting of the anonymous carol
'Sir Christèmas'. Other works in the first half of the programme include music
by the 17th-century German composer Heinrich Schütz: his German Magnificat and
a setting of 'Hodie Christus natus est' (Today Christ was born).
In the second half of the concert this year, we are including quite few pieces
which focus on the countryside in Winter, as well as the Christmas story itself
of course. Thus, we have the 20th-century French composer Francis Poulenc's
'Night of snow', Toby Young's little piece 'The Owl' and my own setting of
Carol Ann Duffy's poem entitled 'The Bee Carol'. Ian Pattinson will contribute
an organ solo: Bach's joyful re-working of the well-known carol 'In dulci
jubilo'. If you are a fan of King's College Nine Lessons and Carols, this is
the organ voluntary played after the service every year. We conclude the
concert with folk songs from Germany, the Ukraine and Romania and, finally
after a humorous reading, two Wassail carols. Do come and join us if you can.
As usual wine/fruit juice and mince pies will be available after the concert.
Programmes can be purchased in advance from Northern Light Stained Glass,
Blackhall Yard, Kendal or from me (Tel: 01539 723482).
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