The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge Directed By Boris Ord, Hugh Maclean – A Festival Of Lessons And Carols

The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge – A Festival Of Lessons And Carols

Experience the historic sound of English Christmas choral music with A Festival Of Lessons And Carols, 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.

The 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.

Boris 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.

The programme opens with the traditional processional hymn, "Once In Royal David's City", before moving into the Bidding Prayer and the Invitatory (From The Christmas Oratorio). 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.

The 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.

For admirers of traditional carols, classical vocal music and historic British recordings, A Festival Of Lessons And Carols 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.

A 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.

Tracklist

Side A

A1a. Processional Hymn - Once In Royal David's City
A1b. The Bidding Prayer
A1c. Invitatory (From The Christmas Oratorio)
A1d. First Lesson - Genesis III. 8-15
A1e. Carol - Ding Dong, Ding
A1f. Carol - Flos De Radice Jesse
A1g. Second Lesson - Isaiah IX 1-5
A1h. Carol - God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
A1i. Carol - In Dulci Jubilo
A1j. Third Lesson - St. Luke I. 26-33, And 38
A1k. Carol - Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary

Side B

B1a. Fourth Lesson - St. Matthew I. 18-23
B1b. Carol - A Virgin Most Pure
B1c. Fifth Lesson - St. Luke II. 8-16
B1d. Hymn - While Shepherds Watched
B1e. Carol - The Shepherd's Cradle Song
B1f. Sixth Lesson - St. Matthew II. 1-5, 7-11
B1g. Carol - The Three Kings
B1h. Seventh Lesson - St. John I. 1-14
B1i. Carol - The Infant King
B1j. Hymn - O Come, All Ye Faithful