Britten - A Ceremony of Carols | The Choristers of Wells Cathedral

[@jerryvalet569]

This is not easy music. Not only have the singers been beautifully trained, but they each need to be congratulated on memorizing the whole work. This is a true Christmas gift! Bravo!

[@Dotty2wice]

I sang this with school choirs on several occasions 50 years ago but I still remember all the words. It’s one of my favourite Christmas arrangements. These voices are beautiful.

[@LS-ei7xk]

Same here. School choirs, community choirs, you name it. I think it brings back fond memories for a lot of us.

[@bobbyhendley3084]

40 years since I sang this, and I still remember every bit of it! Truly a masterwork when it remains in the soul so permanently. Thank you for this beautiful gift.

[@jacquieviegas6082]

Same time frame for me. It definitely gets into your soul, and this choir of incredibly beautiful voices certainly does it justice. I can’t stop playing it!

[@jennifercarter7883]

Arguably the best version of this favorite I've seen and heard, affirming the value and quality of girl choristers and mixed choirs.

[@carolyncraigmusician9513]

Congrats to Alex Hamilton, Olivia Jageurs, Dave Hinitt, Barry Rose, and all who made this project come to fruition, and well done to the choristers! So lucky to get to work with these kids every day!

[@RobertLocksley385]

For the love of these children and our Lord, try to be a bit gentler with their names. Their work is a delight, but the servants of The Enemy are everywhere, even during Advent.

[@LS-ei7xk]

@@RobertLocksley385 What???

[@RobertLocksley385]

@@LS-ei7xk Giving children's names out of over an open means such as this can be dangerous.

[@kaclama]

@@RobertLocksley385 Those are the teachers' and music directors' names, not the children's.

[@RobertLocksley385]

@@kaclama That is right well and good. Thank you.

[@marlenemeldrum7382]

Just grand!! Beautifully sung, wonderful Harpist...just grand...

[@rachelbarlow9382]

What a work - not sung nearly enough these days! I taught it to the comprehensive school here and they absolutely loved it and wanted to sing it every year! Nothing to compare!

[@jacquieviegas6082]

What a wonderful choir. I know there are those who want to preserve the tradition of boys only choirs, but honestly these boys and girls voices blend so perfectly it’s hard to argue in their favour. Well done to all, a brilliant “production”.

[@ronaldjohnson9890]

This is a choir of girls and young women with a smattering of boys -- about 1/4 from what I can tell, and declining generally in UK cathedral choral singing every year. Boys are getting the message that the Anglican church has no use for them, their energy and camaraderie, the unique emotional reserve and apartness in which centuries of Anglican music found its essential instrument. It's a precious musical and spiritual tradition decimated, targeted for elimination in its last bastions, and on the way to completely disappearing.

[@pauldickinson6156]

@@ronaldjohnson9890 Actually Wells has a boys choir and a girls choir of equal size - this mix is probably just those that were available for the recording.

[@LS-ei7xk]

@@ronaldjohnson9890 That may be true, but many girls and women's choirs have sung "A Ceremony of Carols" beautifully for the past 70-80 years or so; it's not like it's a new phenomenon.Since the harmonies are so well suited to any treble, alto, or 2nd soprano vocal part, it doesn't really matter what sort of higher vocal choir sings it.

[@oswaldhoward3002]

Beautiful blend of voices.

[@jacquieviegas6082]

@@ronaldjohnson9890 I agree the traditional boys and men cathedral choir is a unique sound and still has it's place, I LOVE the sound, (personally speaking I think King's College, Cambridge is the gold standard) and I hope it isn't completely lost, however that doesn't mean mixed choir's don't have their place and girl's also love to sing choral music. This performance is a perfect example of how a mixed choir can produce a beautiful sound too.

[@harrietlyall1991]

I fell in love with this sensational composition in 1973, when our school choir sang “There is no Rose” at the annual Carol Service. I have it on CD and listen to it every Christmas. I love the austere, mystical, crystalline quality of Britten’s music and the nuanced religious emotions expressed in each piece, ascending through turmoil towards redemption and heavenly bliss.

[@lolacapdevila9274]

Monumental este coro polifónico de voces blancas.Britten es un genio.

[@ginacrusco234]

Great descriptors!

[@pauldickinson6156]

Congratulations to Alexander, the harpist and the choir. What a marvellous performance of this magnificent piece. And an excellent video too.

[@Opinion-k7k]

We need this in the UK more than ever before. Merry Christian Christmas to everyone.

[@marthahazevoet9309]

Oh, well done! This music is not easy. Bravi, everyone!

[@molliethorn]

That was so fabulous! Those kids were singing with such heart. ❤I loved it and I am so happy to hear children singing so beautifully with so much obvious passion for the music. congratulations to the teachers and the musicians who have taught these children so well. Thank you everyone who had a part of this performance. 🎉🎵🎶❤️

[@IlGattonero13]

What a glorious performance! Thank you to these brilliant, hardworking young singers and their sensitive director, and to Ms. Jageurs for her luminous accompaniment and interlude. It raised my spirits in these dark and troubling times.

[@SuzanneKnowles-i1m]

One of Ben Britten's best choral pieces. I have sung it many times and heard quite a few recordings, but this is the best recording I have heard. Congratulations boys and girls of Wells Cathedral, and well done for memorising it all.

[@alienorabrowning8920]

Oh wow! So beautiful and evocative. Fifty odd years ago, I sang this, when in the choir at Milham Ford School, Oxford - and found myself singing along today. An absolute joy to hear it again. Thank you for sharing.

[@TessLowe]

Always a highlight of the year for me, singing this as a chorister 40 years ago!

[@melissabruhn1429]

Mesmerizingly beautiful! ✨ First time to hear this Benjamin Britten work. Such talented and committed choir. ❣️ Wow! Thank you for this gift. 🕊️ ~ Indiana, USA

[@6732dda]

These choristers were amazing! Thank you all for this wonderful performance of Ceremony of Carols.

[@jerrihadding2534]

When I was in the eighth grade, so 15 years old in the US, our choir sang the entire Ceremony of Carols for a Christmas performance. We even recorded it to a vinyl record while singing in a church. Bless you for sharing this performance! Participating in singing this was an experience that took up our souls beyond the performance of the music.

[@amytannehill5020]

Oh so beautiful! The children's voices are incredibly good. Thank you very much for this marvelous gift.

[@joykay8875]

They did an amazing job. I remember A Ceremony of Carols from my high school days.

[@sharonreichter2537]

Some difficult pieces - brilliant choir - so well done!

[@ziply123]

I love the girls' and boys' voices together.

[@retribution999]

How beautiful is England at its best

[@ede-jomadden8182]

My public high school choir sang this in '63 or '64 -- with harpist. It took a moment to actually get it, but we all loved singing it.

[@evangelinerand6897]

Outstanding - in every way. And in such a sacred and newly valued setting. Thank you.

[@hinlee4610]

Heavenly voice.

[@elleseraphina6521]

This was wonderful 😍 Angel voices. Well done 👏

[@johampshire3790]

Outstanding performance. Well done everyone. Having sung this when in school it brought back many happy memories.

[@allisonjslehtinen9517]

I was going to write the exact same thing! Sung at school 40 years ago in fact........

[@Mezilesialan]

Composed very well. Performed very well. Beautiful sounds of voices and the harp . ❤ Thank you.

[@dianawright6285]

What an achievement. Simply beautiful. I sang some of this with my Chisipite school choir in Zimbabwe. Di Wright.

[@adamanthony7465]

Greetings to you and David and family. With our care and rest for Christmas and the New Year. Adam and Victoria Beck White ✨

[@uclcentreforperioperativem6462]

Superb - congratulations to all involved.. singers harpist and production team

[@jackiehandley7849]

Flawless everyone 😊

[@Hibernia2324]

Remarkable young people. This was a treat. I sang some of these carols 50 years ago in high school choir. The music came right back to me. Thank you for sharing.

[@johnhammer2301]

A pure joy for the heart and soul. Bravo.

[@GOODGRAYCAT]

Ethereal~ and The diversity of the choir is Beautiful.❤

[@mariadefatimacorreacoelhof3244]

Boa tarde, que maravilha de coral jovem, um trabalho gratificante, necessário e precioso. Parabéns e obrigada por sua atenção.

[@siobhankerr9423]

Stunning! Congratulations! Crispy, beautiful pitch, excellent diction, & dynamic depth - the director, choristers & harpist all working with the building as another performer! Merry Christmas to all who took part. Love & prayers from 🇨🇦

[@vivburgess4300]

Beautiful music, beautifully sung in a sublime space. Thank you Alex and Wells choristers.

[@ginacrusco234]

I know almost every note and word of this piece, and this was truly a fine rendition. These young people are the shining hope of our future, with their discipline, commitment, and open spirits. The young man who sang soprano in "Pleasure it is" has the most pleasant and pure voice ever heard. Long live music!

[@ChristopherGreen-c2e]

Really glorious and very inspiring to see and hear such young people obviously so well disciplined to produce music of such calibre. One slight disappointment was there were such few boys compared to girls, nonetheless a beautiful, really beautiful rendition of this glorious work. Congratulations to the Master of the choristers and the impeccable harpist!

[@marthaguedes8990]

Thank you for the opportunity of listening to this marvellous Britten's composition. Brilliant voices, conducting and harp performance!

[@RobertLocksley385]

It's at times such as these that it's clear that our Lord is with us. Well done everyone.

[@olddudders1]

A wonderful start to our Christmas day - thankyou! I have never heard a better version of this, and to see a significant number of girls in the choir is magic, too. Bravo, all!

[@ChorGesang]

A beautiful performance, well done!

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

I sang Missa Brevis in D which gave me a lifelong love of Benjamin Britten's music. We never got to sing this one, sadly. Also, Wells is my favorite English Cathedral.

[@pauldickinson6156]

It is a real gem - Simon Jenkins named it as his overall favourite in his superb English Cathedrals book.

[@wendydaurge2901]

Exquisite! I sang this over 54/55 /56 years ago as a soprano in the Pontypridd Girls Grammar School choir under the brilliant direction of our music teacher -Mr Phipps! The school had a history of producing many talented singers - to name one of many Beverley Humphreys, a welsh opera singer!

[@JBNemeth]

I totally understand the sentiment. I too sang this extraordinary piece of music at university. It affected my whole understanding of the beauty and purity of text and sound as stunningly touching of the deepest parts of us. And too, one having actually sung it themselves brings all the more enjoyment in the beautiful memory....upon hearing it again and again.

[@hihi1234hihi4321]

So beautiful voice and harp❤

[@gayharrison9901]

So beautiful I love these carols by Benjamin Britten, made extra special by superb voices and a harp accompaniment. Thankyou for an amazing performance

[@chrst7346]

ehm… the harp was originally put there by Britten… 😅 it is essential, not special 😊

[@ameyer3408]

This is so tight!! Very very well done to everyone involved.

[@martinsonnenfeld8401]

Beautiful music, flawless performance, fantastic recording. Thanks and a peaceful Christmas to everyone!

[@joannalove9070]

Beautiful singing, thank you. I've loved this piece since my childhood when my parents played it to me on their record player back in the 1970s!

[@nicoladepass6159]

Absolutely beautiful sounds, love how we got a real good view of each singer more than once. Well done! from New Jersey.

[@carlac9782]

Our girls choir sang this in high school almost 50 years ago. I will never forget it. This choir is so beautiful to hear and see.

[@alainmichaud3140]

Félicitation pour ce superbe travail 😌🙏🕉

[@jodiknight2820]

Beautifully sung. In the 1970's, my school choir sang this annually as part of the nativity service. I still have my copy. Hard to believe this was composed over 80 years ago.

[@docbailey3265]

The Platonists believe the reason beautiful music can move one to tears is that it is as close to the Realm of Perfection as we will ever be, this side of the grave.

[@ariontheobaldo5794]

Will we never reach? I feel sorry for you... the rest of us will be joyful in the Divine source Blessings

[@patriciaitalia]

Come on now! At the time I'm listening to this there are 17000 views and only 597 likes!?!? Are your fingers broken? Give this a thumbs up!!!

[@jillhertzog6365]

A beautiful performance

[@michellebrown9698]

Celebrating 25 years since my first visit to Wells Cathedral… What a gift 🎁🎶 this marvelous performance is! Quite an achievement❣️ Congratulations 🎊 and Merry🎄Christmas❣️ Santa Cruz California USA🌊☀️

[@jamessheridan4306]

Our treble choir sang this in high school 46 years ago. What a lovely piece.

[@adelinacamerata1253]

Celestial ! BRAVISIMOS !

[@ziply123]

The perfect word: Celestial ❤️

[@adamanthony7465]

The Bells are ringing. Kairos. Amen

[@elizabethwilcox8006]

Fantastic singing and excellent harp playing.. I remember our fab Music teacher directing us through this at Christmas in the 60s.

[@neallcalvert]

Reaffirms my faith in young people. [I'm 78.] . . . Congratulations to all involved in this fine production.

[@gracevinayajames1291]

Simply exquisite. Thank you

[@marcipittman704]

Wonderful renditions of each piece in such a lovely setting! I sang some of these pieces in my Chico State University choir in Northern California back in the late 80s under the direction of Dr. Sharon Paul. I had the pleasure of visiting Wells Cathedral just this last September and so enjoyed seeing such a magnificent building! Thank you for sharing your performance with the world through KZbin! Your efforts were quite inspiring in this holy season!

[@LondonRaider75]

Great job everyone. It was hearing you sing it in February this year that got me back into singing after 40 years.

[@judy-carolbell314]

The use of the soloists is very nice! The exit effect! Everything, so special. Marvelous! PS My high school Glee Club sang this maybe 1961. We were a small town school in Arkansas, USA. I have loved it ever since then. It opened my ears and eyes to what music COULD be!

[@wendyhaslam7348]

Quite magnificent. A wonderful performance.

[@r8chlletters]

Beautiful thank you 🤍

[@stephenfarthing3819]

Interesting! I look forward to some of this on the 23rd December. I will be attending the Christmas Service there. On that evening. And will be making my way there on Monday Afternoon.

[@lynn9111]

This was wonderful, and the boy singing at 20mins sounds angelic.

[@janerogers5717]

What beautiful singing... such a high standard. And all memorised! Well done.

[@richardterrell5309]

Truly, a master piece Britten would cherish of his works!

[@BlestinTexas24]

From December 2024. Well done choristers and choir master!

[@Womanwithblackdog]

Beautiful. Difficult too! Perfect performance. It is fun to sing.

[@AnnemaryJacot]

Jolies voix ❤merci🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@MarshallArtz007]

Oh my! This is wonderful! 😎🎹🎄

[@NaughtyAelf]

Oh, i performed this every christ season for the better part of 20 years. Truly a joy to hear it again!

[@RitaGatton]

This is very beautiful!

[@domdoria1905]

😢wonderful sing..that carry me near the sky..

[@evelyntan5588]

Was browsing for music to play this Christmas morning and found this. Perfection! Thank you and Merry Christmas from Montreal!

[@dthompson5234]

One of the best renditions I’ve heard!!

[@2arizona1990]

Blessedly Stunning! Thank you, all.

[@lindawatkin9667]

Those sweet young voices make this concert so very SPECIAL!

[@user-nx6ji9tk8i]

Your head choristers are magnificent. As is the entire choir. Such concentration and delivery., Wonderfully accomplished harpist. Listening on the shortest day. Thank you.

[@MarshallArtz007]

❄️ *Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)* ❄️ ❄️ *A Ceremony of Carols (1942)* ❄️ 00:18 *1. Processional* *Hodie Christus natus est:* _Today Christ is born:_ *Hodie Salvator apparuit:* _Today the Saviour has appeared:_ *Hodie in terra canunt angeli:* _Today angels sing on earth:_ *Laetantur archangeli:* _Archangels rejoice:_ *Hodie exsultant justi dicentes:* _Today the righteous exult, saying:_ *Gloria in excelsis Deo.* _Glory to God in the highest._ *Alleluia!* _~ a paraphrase of Luke 2:11, 13-14 from the liturgy of the Vesper service for Christmas Day_ 01:57 *2. Wolcum Yole!* _Wolcum, Wolcum, Wolcum be thou_ _hevene king,_ _Wolcum Yole! Wolcum, born in one morning,_ _Wolcum for whom we sall sing!_ _Wolcum be ye, Stevene and Jon,_ _Wolcum, Innocentes every one,_ _Wolcum, Thomas marter one,_ _Wolcum be ye, good Newe Yere,_ _Wolcum, Twelfthe Day both in fere,_ _Wolcum, seintes lefe and dere,_ _Wolcum Yole, Wolcum Yole, Wolcum!_ _Candelmesse, Quene of bliss,_ _Wolcum, Wolcum, Wolcum be ye_ _that are here,_ _Wolcum Yole, Wolcum alle and make_ _good cheer,_ _Wolcum alle another yere Wolcum Yole,_ _Wolcum!_ _~ Anon. 14th c._ 03:22 *3. There is no Rose* _There is no rose of such vertu_ _as is the rose that bare Jesu._ _Alleluia._ _For in this rose conteined was_ _heaven and earth in litel space,_ _Res miranda. [Miraculous thing.]_ _By that rose we may well see_ _there be one God in persons three,_ _Pares forma. [Equal in nature.]_ _The aungels sungen the shepherds to:_ _Gloria in excelsis Deo._ _Gaudeamus. [Let us rejoice.]_ _Leave we all this werldly mirth,_ _and follow we this joyful birth._ _Transeamus. [Let us follow.]_ _Alleluia, res miranda, pares forma, gaudeamus,_ _transeamus._ _~ Anon. 14th c._ 05:52 *4a. That yonge child* _That yonge child when it gan weep_ _with song she lulled him asleep:_ _That was so sweet a melody it passèd_ _alle minstrelsy._ _The nightingalë sang also: Her song is_ _hoarse... and nought thereto:_ _Whoso attendeth to her song and leaveth the_ _first... then doth he wrong..._ _~ Anon. 14th c._ 07:38 *4b. Balulalow* _O my deare hert, young Jesu sweit,_ _Prepare thy creddil in my spreit,_ _And I sall rock thee to my hert,_ _And never mair from thee depart._ _But I sall praise thee evermoir_ _With sanges sweit unto thy gloir;_ _The knees of my hert sall I bow,_ _And sing that richt Balulalow._ _~ James, John & Robert Wedderburn, 16th c._ 09:01 5. *As Dew in Aprille* _I sing of a maiden that is makèles:_ _King of all kings to her son she ches._ _He came also stille there his moder was_ _As dew in Aprille that falleth on the grass._ _He came also stille to his moder's bour_ _As dew in Aprille that falleth on the flour._ _He came also stille there his moder lay_ _As dew in Aprille that falleth on the spray._ _Moder and maiden was never none but she:_ _Well may such a lady Goddes moder be._ _~ Anon. 14th c._ 10:04 6. *This Little Babe* _This little Babe so few days old,_ _is come to rifle Satan's fold;_ _All hell doth at his presence quake,_ _though he himself for cold do shake;_ _For in this weak unarmed wise_ _the gates of hell he will surprise._ _With tears he fights and wins the field,_ _His naked breast stands for a shield;_ _His battering shot are babish cries,_ _His arrows looks of weeping eyes,_ _His martial ensigns Cold and Need,_ _and feeble Flesh his warrior's steed._ _His camp is pitched in a stall,_ _His bulwark but a broken wall;_ _The crib his trench, haystalks his stakes;_ _of shepherds he his muster makes;_ _And thus, as sure his foe to wound,_ _the angels' trumps alarum sound._ _My soul, with Christ join thou in fight;_ _stick to the tents that he hath pight._ _Within his crib is surest ward;_ _this little Babe will be thy guard._ _If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy,_ _then flit not from this heavenly Boy._ _~ Robert Southwell, d. 1595_ 11:38 *7. Interlude* _(harp solo)_ 16:00 8. *In Freezing Winter Night* _Behold, a silly tender babe,_ _in freezing winter night,_ _In homely manger trembling lies._ _Alas, a piteous sight!_ _The inns are full; no man will yield_ _this little pilgrim bed._ _But forced he is with silly beasts_ _in crib to shroud his head._ _This stable is a Prince's court,_ _this crib his chair of State;_ _The beasts are parcel of his pomp,_ _the wooden dish his plate._ _The persons in that poor attire_ _his royal liveries wear;_ _The Prince himself is come from heaven;_ _this pomp is prized there._ _With joy approach, O Christian wight,_ _do homage to thy King,_ _And highly praise his humble pomp,_ _wich he from Heaven doth bring._ _~ Robert Southwell, d. 1595_ 19:32 *9. Spring Carol* _Pleasure it is to hear iwis, the Birdes sing,_ _The deer in the dale, the sheep in the vale,_ _the corn springing._ _God's purveyance for sustenance,_ _It is for man, it is for man._ _Then we always to give him praise,_ _And thank him than._ _~ William Cornish, d. 1523_ 20:45 *10. Deo gracias!* _Deo gracias! Deo gracias!_ _Adam lay ibounden, bounden in a bond;_ _Four thousand winter thought he not to long._ _Deo gracias! Deo gracias!_ _And all was for an appil, an appil that he tok,_ _As clerkes finden written in their book._ _Deo gracias! Deo gracias!_ _Ne had the appil take ben, the appil take ben,_ _Ne hadde never our lady a ben hevene quene._ _Blessed be the time that appil take was._ _Therefore we moun singen._ _Deo gracias! Deo gracias!_ _Deo gracias! Deo gracias!_ _~ Anon. 15th c._ 21:15 11. *Recessional* *Hodie Christus natus est:* _Today Christ is born:_ *Hodie Salvator apparuit:* _Today the Saviour has appeared:_ *Hodie in terra canunt angeli:* _Today angels sing on earth:_ *Laetantur archangeli:* _Archangels rejoice:_ *Hodie exsultant justi dicentes:* _Today the righteous exult, saying:_ *Gloria in excelsis Deo.* _Glory to God in the highest._ *Alleluia!* *The Choristers of Wells Cathedral* *Alexander Hamilton, conductor* *Olivia Jageurs, harp* _Wells Cathedral_ _Wells, Somerset, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿_ _June 17-19, 2024_

[@billobacche81federico2]

Bravi!!!!

[@josef27]

Randomly watching this right now and I'm impressed at how many of these carols I haven't heard before. Really unique and interesting, thanks for sharing this!

[@janicejackson2016]

Beautiful I shall share this tomorrow morning have a blessed Christmas

[@ilacox2244]

A exquisite performance! Each year I entire into Christmas by listening to this beautiful Britten piece. Thank you, Wells Cathedral Choristers!

[@melissaraven3164]

Wonderful performance, thank you, and great video/photography. I'm really not a fan of the harp, but it is exquisite in this.

[@R_Jackson]

An especially good recording of this sequence that's so loved. Thank you. 🙂

[@abdo-yj2ox]

God Bless Merry Christmas 💖🕊️Shalom✌️

[@annadavis2547]

Loved this. I have sung this in two separate choirs.

[@mariaashot5648]

Exceptionally wonderful voices!!! Thank you so much for this beautiful video! May Almighty god abundantly bless you and sustain you, keep you safe and help you always! Thank you to all your teachers, family, friends and supportive community, and especially to Alexander Hamilton, the Conductor & Music Director of this wonderful ensemble! And to Olivia Jageurs and Barry Rose, for their generous contribution to this sublime effort! Grateful for you all!

[@kaalen_wilson]

I would love to hear them sing “This Endris Night” by Lana Walter arr. SSAA a cappella in this Cathedral. I feel it would sound so much more enchanting. It’s moderately difficult, but it’s such a great haunting lullaby so pleasing to the ear!

[@Bleakhouse7]

Beautiful!