Baban ~ A Sequence of Carols - Daniel Protheroe

 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Martin & Blane arr. Skalia Kanga 

A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28 - Benjamin Britten

Joy To The World - Karl Jenkins

Baban – A Sequence of Carols by Daniel Protheroe

Protheroe was born to Daniel and Eleanor Protheroe, and was instructed in music from a young age. He entered the National Eisteddfod in 1880 and 1881, before his voice broke, winning prizes in both festivals. At the age of 16 he conducted the Ystradgynlais Choir at the Llandeilo Eisteddfod, winning the choir prize. Aged 19, he immigrated to the US, settling in Scranton, Pennsylvania. There he took courses in music conducting, and was tutored by Parson Price, Dudley Buck and Hugo Karn. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Toronto College of Music, later becoming a Doctor of Music.

The sequence of carols you will hear this evening are all taken from the tunes he wrote on the front of Christmas Cards which he sent to friends and family over the years: he composed a tune (and sometimes words) for each card!

A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28

A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28 is an extended choral composition for Christmas by Benjamin Britten scored for three-part treble chorus, solo voices, and harp. The text, structured in eleven movements, is taken from The English Galaxy of Shorter Poems, edited by Gerald Bullett. It is principally in Middle English, with some Latin and Early Modern English. It was composed in 1942 on Britten's sea voyage from the United States to England.

The original 1942 publication was written for SSA (soprano, soprano, alto) children's choir. In 1943, a SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) arrangement was published for a mixed choir. Many of the movements are written as rounds or call-and-response pieces – lyrically simple for the sake of the children performing. 

Movements

Procession - Hodie Christus Est Natus Est

It is sung exclusively by the sopranos and is patterned on a traditional processional in Christian church service.

Wolcum Yole

The second movement is an upbeat and festive piece intended to welcome the important days of the coming period.

There Is No Rose

This movement presents a more reverent tone than the previous movement, as the choir admires the beauty of the birth of Jesus.

That Yonge Child

"That Yongë Child" consists of a soprano solo with harp accompaniment. The reverent tone from the previous piece carries over into this one, except this piece is more recitative.

Balulalow

"Balulalow" is meant to be a lullaby for the baby Jesus, and the soprano solo at the beginning of the movement paints an image of The Virgin Mary singing a lullaby to her newborn child.

As Dew in Aprille

This movement switches the focus from the baby to the Virgin Mary in gentle, soothing music which progressively grows softer until the very end. Throughout this movement, the different voice parts overlap to create an echoing effect. The volume of the choir abruptly shifts at the end from pianissississimo (very, very, very softly) to forte (loudly)

This Little Babe

"This Little Babe"contrasts with every other movement, in a darker approach and often using imagery of hell. It depicts a battle between the baby and Satan (good and evil), which is conveyed in its swift tempo, polyrhythms, overlapping segments between the voices.

Interlude

This instrumental movement is a harp solo, creating a sense of angelic bliss with its slow tempo, shifting rhythm, and progressively soft nature.

In Freezing Winter Night

This movement calls out to the circumstances of the birth of Jesus and employs the choir to sing in a round to create an echoing effect. The choir and harp progress through the movement at contrasting paces, gradually synchronize until they both move at the same pace just before the ending when the music fades out. This is meant to symbolize the discord on earth before and during the birth of Christ and the hope of the future and the harmony he brings.

Spring Carol

Britten set it as a duet between two sopranos that depicts the signs of spring. This movement ends with a call to thank God, which transitions appropriately to the next movement.

Deo Gracias

"Deo gracias" (Thanks be to God) is based on a poem from the 15th century. "Adam lay i-bounden" tells of the events that happened in Chapter 3 of Genesis, the "Fall of Man" as Eve is tricked into eating the fruit of sin. Britten has set the choir in such a way that the choir becomes emphatic in its thanks to God.

Recession - Hodie Christus Est Natus Est

This movement is a near mirror of the Procession and the ensemble, often, performs this piece as they exit the stage. Its melody gradually fades as the ensemble retreats outside of the venue

‘Joy to the World’

Joy to the world is a choral sequence of nine traditional Christmas carols from England, Germany, France, Spain, USA and the Caribbean in fresh and vibrant arrangements by Karl Jenkins. The scoring is for mixed chorus and solo voice, with an optional second chorus suitable for children’s voices. It is scored for trumpet, keyboards, percussion and string orchestra. Our performance tonight will use the scaled down version for piano.

Movements

In dulci jubilo
Go, tell it on the mountain
Silent night
O Jesus so sweet
Pat-a-pan
Son of Maria
The first Nowell
The Virgin Mary had a baby boy
We wish you a merry Christmas

Jenny was born in Swansea and after two years as a scholarship holder at Chetham’s School of Music, she went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music with Christopher Elton. While there, she was awarded several prizes for her solo playing, including the John Ireland Prize and the Frank Britton Scholarship. With the support of the Welsh Arts Council and a scholarship from the Guildhall School of Music, she spent two post-graduate years specialising in accompaniment. She now freelances in London and has given recitals throughout the UK supported by the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme. Overseas work has taken her on tours in Italy, France, Russia and the Czech Republic. Television and radio broadcasts include a live recital on Classic FM and Channel 4’s Late Late Show.

The Chorale has for many years enjoyed the support of a wide group of Friends. We are delighted to have Lord Thomas of Gresford as the Honorary President of The Friends, with Vice-Presidents, Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, Dr Rhiannon Mathias & Prof Paul Mealor

Even a sell-out concert rarely covers the cost incurred in putting it on. Over an average year the Chorale promotes three major concerts in central London, giving work to many professional singers and orchestral players and enabling us to promote Welsh music and performance in the capital. There are three types of Friends Membership:

Supporter £75
Associate £150
Benefactor £350 and over

Friends receive free and discounted tickets, free programmes and acknowledgement of your support in every programme. If you attend at least three concerts in a year it is more cost effective to be a friend than not! You are also entitled to two free tickets if you successfully encourage someone else to become a Friend, or for a successful introduction to a LW Camerata engagement.

If you would like more information on "The Friends" or to become a member, please contact Jo Booth: friends@londonwelshchorale.org.uk

The London Welsh Chorale is a registered charity, so sponsors are able to benefit from gift aid on each donation. Registered Charity No.1014214.

Benefactors:
Emma Davies
Paul Foster
Lord Neil Kinnock
Anonymous

Associates:
David Abrahams
Michael Ashdown
Joseph Dudley
Sandy Hawkings
John & Sally Leighton Williams
Eileen Mitchell
Andrew Simmonds
Peter Tew

Supporters:
Kate Buchart
Sian Hendrie
Robin Roberts

Life Members:
Dilys and Tony Thomas

Chair: Ruth Brooks
Vice Chair: Zoê McMillan
Secretary: Timothy Roberts
Treasurer: David ‘The Bike’ Lawrence
Membership Secretary: Lynne Tew
Concert Manager: Alison Stacey
Voice Reps:

• Lindsey Carver (soprano )

• Anusia Kotowizc ( alto)

• Haydn Jones ( tenor and Bass)