Radio 3 in Concert: World Premiere of Christmas Music

The world premiere of Bob Chilcott's Christmas Oratorio, recorded at the Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester Cathedral in August. Presented by Nicola Heywood Thomas. The performance included distinguished soloists such as Dame Sarah Connolly, and the festival's artistic director Adrian Partington conducted singers from the choirs of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester cathedrals. The festival commissioned this work from Chilcott, and it is a retelling of the Christmas story using texts from the Gospels of St Luke and St Matthew, intertwined with poetry and four hymns. Jacobus Handl: Impetum inimicorum. Tomás Luis de Victoria: Leatatus sum. Britten: A Ceremony of Carols. 8.08 Interval Music (from CD). Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV248 (Now you are truly revenged on the host of your enemies). The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir, Ton Koopman (director). Bob Chilcott: St John Passion (There is a green hill far away). Wells Cathedral Choir, Voluntary Choir, Chaconne Brass, Jonathan Vaughn (organ), Matthew Owens (conductor). Bob Chilcott: The Advent Candle. Commotio, Tanya Houghton (harp), Matthew Berry (conductor). 8.30 Bob Chilcott: Christmas Oratorio. Sarah Connolly (soprano: Mary), Nick Pritchard (tenor: Evangelist), Neal Davies (baritone: Simeon), Ed Rimmer (vocalist: Gabriel), Rachel Roper (vocalist: Angel), Deryck Webb (vocalist: Wise Man), Matthew Clark (vocalist: Wise Man), Nick Perfect (vocalist: Wise Man), Greg Bannan (vocalist: Herod). Lay Clerks of the Three Cathedral Choirs, Choristers of the Three Cathedral Choirs, Philharmonia Players, Heidi Krutzen (harp), Jonathan Hope (organ), Adrian Partington (conductor)