“The New Born King”: Westminster Cathedral 1985 (David Hill)

TV production filmed in Westminster Cathedral and broadcast on BBC TV, 24 December 1985. With the choir of Westminster Cathedral, directed by David Hill, and James O’Donnell (organ), and featuring soloists Benjamin Luxon (baritone), Aled Jones (treble), Eirian James (mezzo-soprano). Reader: Emyln Williams.
1. O come, all ye faithful (“Adeste fideles”)
2. Sussex Carol (arr David Willcocks)
3. O little town of Bethlehem (arr Henry Walford Davies)
4. I wonder as I wander (arr Niles & Horton)
5. Rocking (arr David Willcocks)
6. Come unto him, all ye that labour (G F Handel)
7. O magnum mysterium (Tomas Luis da Vittoria)
8. Good King Wenceslas (arr Reginald Jacques)
9. Ding, dong, merrily on high (arr Charles Wood)
10. The Holy Boy (John Ireland)
11. In the bleak midwinter (Gustav Holst)
12. Coventry Carol (Traditional)
13. Saint Joseph’s Carol (arr. Elizabeth Poston)
14. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day (arr David Willcocks)
15. Hark, the herald angels sing (“Mendelssohn”)

[@diazmalcolm]

This is very very good singing...very beautiful indeed....this is what singing is all about...bringing you closer to God....

[@margielyons6282]

This is really a splendid performance. 🌲🕯🌲

[@TheGateway37]

I have this production on VHS tape from December 1985. A great production.

[@justindoyle8531]

Bit embarrassed to watch this - standing behind the wonderful Ben Luxon, and I seem to have forgotten to bring any music so was having to share... so professional.

[@pruehalliwell2497]

Great upload - thank you. I remember when this was first aired. I haven't seen it since 1985.A time long passed sadly and when Aled Jones voice was at its peak.

[@alexanderduval3938]

I seem to remember it was in July, but could have been September. It was incredibly hot in the Cathedral for some of it as I recall

[@joevideos]

Nice.Happy Christmas everyone.

[@davidcrook4166]

A big big thank you for uploading this one! Yes I remember seeing it when it was first broadcast and I had just watched "Carols From Kings" well, you can imagine I was on a high!!!

[@ArchiveofRecordedChurchMusic]

The Christmas treasures from the Archive are mounting up! and still more to come and one very special broadcast which almost no one will have seen before!

[@davidcrook4166]

I will look out for this special broadcast!!

[@ArchiveofRecordedChurchMusic]

It will be uploaded on December 21st

[@daviesmusic5307]

@@ArchiveofRecordedChurchMusic Do you have the Carols from King's first broadcast in December 1982? This was SJC's first - and mine! I believe my mother may have it in Betamax...

[@ArchiveofRecordedChurchMusic]

@@daviesmusic5307 We have only an edited version of 1982. It someone wished to donate (or even loan for digitisation) a full copy to the Archive, we would be very pleased indeed.

[@justindoyle8531]

I think we had to record it in September, at the beginning of the school term, which was a bit odd (I seem to remember there was a problem with procuring two decent Christmas trees at that time of year!).

[@benrogerson3073]

And black plastic bags stuck over the windows to make it seem dark outside...

[@litoboy5]

great