I love this piece for its gorgeous alto line and for the lovely lyrics – mickle melody is such an awesome phrase. I taught it to my work choir years ago and after an initial round of complaining that it…
Advent Calendar 12: God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
I was going to start with the medieval cradle songs today, but my to-do list got out of control and I thought I’d better do something quick! Hopefully, I’ll be able to keep this up all the way to Christmas……
Advent Calendar 11 – Stille Nacht
I don’t think I’ve ever put this carol in an Advent Calendar before. This is mostly because it is one of my least favourite carols of all time, due to overexposure – I sang this more than 130 times one…
Advent Calendar 10 – There is no Rose
And back to the medieval carols again, because that’s how I roll! This one is from the 15th century, and it shows – lots of open fifths and fourths! Once again, I don’t have a lot to say about this…
Advent Calendar 9 – Christmas Day
Time for something bright and cheerful and Australian! This has been a favourite carol of mine since I was quite little, though I could have sworn that the version I first heard as a six year old in York was…
Advent Calendar 8 – The Holly and the Ivy
I’ve loved this carol since I was little – mostly because I encountered it at around the first time I ever encountered actual holly, which is such a beautiful plant. This is a traditional English carol from the 19th century,…