Archive for November, 2010
Christmas Music 24/7
A quick update - we’re delighted to discover that tracks from ‘I saw Three Ships and other Carols’ can now be heard on Christmas 247 (an online radio station that streams continual seasonal music). The station provides real mixture of instrumental Christmas music from several genres - light, jazz, traditional and classical, so it’s perfect [...]
Away in a Manger
This carol seems to have stemmed from the 400th anniversary of Martin Luther’s birth. As a possible piece of publicity, some claimed that Martin Luther himself had written ‘Away in a Manger’ as a lullaby for his own children but it seems that the carol dates from around 1883. Away in a Manger has had [...]
In Dulci Jubilo
In Dulci Jubilo is a bright, uplifting Christmas song which is thought to have it’s origins in 14th century Germany - an example of one of the earliest Macaronic songs - which means it has a combination of latin and vernacular lyrics.
The story goes that the Dominican Monk Heinrich Suso had a vision in which [...]
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Although the Christmas carol ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ first appeared in a carol broadsheet in 1760, many people believe that it has much earlier roots, dating back to the 16th century.
As the eighth carol on our disc ‘I Saw Three Ships and Other Carols‘, the tone is slightly more solemn as I always felt [...]
Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly…..
The Christmas carol ‘Deck the Hall’ is based on a traditional Welsh tune which became very popular at New Years. The poet John Ceiriog Hughes set words to it entitled ‘New Years Eve’ (Nos Galen). Originally the lyrics were more about drinking and carousing but the later version that we know today is still celebratory [...]
Playing at the Belfry, near Sutton Coldfield
Just received this photograph of us playing at the Belfry near Sutton Coldfield, courtesy of the lovely people at Above and Beyond Events who hired us for the occasion. This was a corporate function for a brewery and we provided music for them before dinner.
Silent Night, Holy Night….
This carol originates in early 19th century Austria. Composed by Franz Gruber in 1818 to words written by Father Joseph Mohr two years earlier it is one of the best loved pieces of Christmas music still today. Silent Night was first sung on Christmas Eve to the accompaniment of a guitar as legend has it [...]
Wedding at the Holiday Inn, Newport Pagnell
On Saturday, Reiad (viola) and I played as a string duo for a wedding in Newport Pagnell, just outside Milton Keynes. We began with playing for the drinks reception that took place in a conservatory area just off the main bar. The range of music was very varied and we had several guests coming up [...]
