{"product_id":"the-choir-of-kings-college-cambridge-directed-by-boris-ord-hugh-maclean-a-festival-of-lessons-and-carols","title":"The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge Directed By Boris Ord, Hugh Maclean – A Festival Of Lessons And Carols","description":"\u003ch4 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Choir Of King's College, Cambridge – A Festival Of Lessons And Carols\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExperience the historic sound of English Christmas choral music with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Festival Of Lessons And Carols\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, featuring The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, directed by Boris Ord, with Hugh Maclean at the organ. Recorded in 1954, this celebrated programme captures the atmosphere of the traditional Christmas service at King's College Chapel, bringing together biblical readings, historic carols and hymns in a distinctive blend of sacred music and English choral tradition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was established at King's College in 1918 and first broadcast by the BBC in 1928. Its carefully structured sequence of readings and music traces the story of Christmas, from humanity's fall and the prophecies of the Old Testament to the birth of Christ and the arrival of the shepherds and wise men. The service has become one of Britain's most enduring Christmas traditions, recognised for its solemn opening hymn, expressive choral repertoire and sense of occasion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoris Ord served as Director of Music at King's College from 1929 to 1957, shaping the choir's musical identity over nearly three decades. His work helped establish the sound and repertoire associated with the college's Christmas services and recordings. Hugh Maclean, the distinguished organist, contributes to the musical framework of this performance, supporting the choir through its hymns and carols.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe programme opens with the traditional processional hymn, \"Once In Royal David's City\", before moving into the Bidding Prayer and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInvitatory (From The Christmas Oratorio)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. From there, the successive lessons are interspersed with a carefully chosen selection of sacred and traditional carols, including \"Ding Dong, Ding\", \"Flos De Radice Jesse\", \"God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen\" and \"In Dulci Jubilo\". These contrasting works bring together medieval sacred music, traditional Christmas melodies and the distinctive harmonies of the English choral repertoire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe second side continues the Christmas narrative with readings from St Matthew and St Luke, accompanied by \"A Virgin Most Pure\", \"The Shepherd's Cradle Song\" and \"The Three Kings\". The final sequence features \"The Infant King\" and the familiar hymn \"O Come, All Ye Faithful\", bringing the programme to a fitting conclusion. The combination of spoken lessons, traditional hymns and choral works gives the recording a sense of continuity and ceremony that distinguishes it from a conventional collection of Christmas songs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor admirers of traditional carols, classical vocal music and historic British recordings, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Festival Of Lessons And Carols\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e offers an evocative glimpse into the musical heritage of King's College, Cambridge. It is particularly appealing to listeners interested in the development of the famous Christmas service, the work of Boris Ord and the enduring sound of English chapel choirs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA compelling addition to a collection of Christmas records, traditional sacred music and classical choral recordings, this performance preserves the atmosphere of a musical tradition that continues to connect listeners with the spirit of Christmas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTracklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide A\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1a. Processional Hymn - Once In Royal David's City\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1b. The Bidding Prayer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1c. Invitatory (From The Christmas Oratorio)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1d. First Lesson - Genesis III. 8-15\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1e. Carol - Ding Dong, Ding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1f. Carol - Flos De Radice Jesse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1g. Second Lesson - Isaiah IX 1-5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1h. Carol - God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1i. Carol - In Dulci Jubilo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1j. Third Lesson - St. Luke I. 26-33, And 38\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1k. Carol - Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1a. Fourth Lesson - St. Matthew I. 18-23\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1b. Carol - A Virgin Most Pure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1c. Fifth Lesson - St. Luke II. 8-16\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1d. Hymn - While Shepherds Watched\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1e. Carol - The Shepherd's Cradle Song\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1f. Sixth Lesson - St. Matthew II. 1-5, 7-11\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1g. Carol - The Three Kings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1h. Seventh Lesson - St. John I. 1-14\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1i. Carol - The Infant King\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1j. Hymn - O Come, All Ye Faithful\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BfrwYHRr_1E?si=OdoM8UJTtZ_OmvFH\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Argo Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56109345177942,"sku":"ECS 659","price":3.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1009\/1013\/7686\/files\/1000099983.jpg?v=1792857174","url":"https:\/\/www.sounds-grounds.co.uk\/products\/the-choir-of-kings-college-cambridge-directed-by-boris-ord-hugh-maclean-a-festival-of-lessons-and-carols","provider":"Sounds + Grounds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}