0:00:05 > 0:00:08Happy Christmas, and welcome to the beautiful setting
0:00:08 > 0:00:13of Dorchester Abbey, for this musical retelling of the Nativity story.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16One of our best loved composers, John Rutter,
0:00:16 > 0:00:18whose Christmas carols are known to millions,
0:00:18 > 0:00:21has put together this special selection of his own music,
0:00:21 > 0:00:24and music which is close to his heart.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Music is something that, for me, is just interwoven with Christmas.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56When I think of Christmas, I don't think first of turkey and plum pudding and all that,
0:00:56 > 0:00:58I actually think of the music.
0:00:58 > 0:01:05# In dulci jubilo Let us our homage show
0:01:05 > 0:01:13# Our heart' joy reclineth In praesepio
0:01:13 > 0:01:21# And like a bright star shineth Matris in gremio
0:01:21 > 0:01:28# Alpha es et O Alpha es et O. #
0:01:28 > 0:01:32I think I am an optimist. A bruised optimist, in a very imperfect world.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Christmas, for me and for millions of other people,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39is a sort of reminder of just how things might be.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44Because for just a few days each year, politics is suspended.
0:01:44 > 0:01:50Normal life is put on hold. And we have the world as it could be.
0:01:57 > 0:02:03# O that we were there O that we were there. #
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Christmas music for me seems to just sum that up.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Which is why I never feel Christmas is complete
0:02:11 > 0:02:15unless in some way or another I have made music.
0:02:15 > 0:02:22# There are Angels singing Nova cantica
0:02:22 > 0:02:26# And there the bells are ringing
0:02:26 > 0:02:30# In Regis curia
0:02:30 > 0:02:38# Oh, that we were there! Oh, that we were there!
0:02:38 > 0:02:44# Oh, that we were there! Oh, that we were there! #
0:02:46 > 0:02:51John Rutter conducting his own arrangement of the mediaeval carol In Dulci Jubilo -
0:02:51 > 0:02:53In Sweet Rejoicing.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57A very fitting start to this festive programme of music.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Music and Christmas, of course, are indivisible. For many of us,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Christmas would not be Christmas without a John Rutter carol.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08We have asked John to trace the Christmas story through music.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16When I was a choirboy in my school chapel choir,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Christmas was really the high point of our singing year.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24I thought back to the carols that I sang then, and I thought that this programme
0:03:24 > 0:03:28would not be complete without some of those in there somewhere.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32I then began to compose carols myself,
0:03:32 > 0:03:37and I thought, well, maybe one or two early ones would be nice.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41And to include the most recent of the carols that I have written, called The Colours Of Christmas.
0:03:41 > 0:03:47It all started with that eager excited little boy treble.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52We start our Nativity with This Is The Truth Sent From Above,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55sung by the first of our soloists, Gerald Finley,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59in which God promises to redeem us through his son.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02And then music which John has composed especially for this programme,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05will take us through to Gabriel's message.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10The moment when the angel Gabriel tells the Virgin Mary that she will give birth to Jesus.
0:04:16 > 0:04:22# This is the truth sent from above
0:04:22 > 0:04:29# The truth of God The God of love
0:04:29 > 0:04:37# Therefore don't turn me from your door
0:04:37 > 0:04:44# But hearken all Both rich and poor
0:04:47 > 0:04:55# The first thing which I do relate
0:04:55 > 0:05:01# Is that God did man create
0:05:01 > 0:05:07# The next thing which to you I'll tell
0:05:07 > 0:05:18# Woman was made with man to dwell
0:05:24 > 0:05:30# Thus we were heirs to endless woes
0:05:30 > 0:05:37# Till God and Lord did interpose
0:05:37 > 0:05:44# And so a promise soon did run
0:05:44 > 0:05:54# That He would redeem us by His Son
0:06:43 > 0:06:51# The angel Gabriel from heaven came
0:06:51 > 0:06:57# His wings as drifted snow His eyes as flame
0:06:57 > 0:07:05# "All hail", said he O lowly maiden Mary
0:07:05 > 0:07:09# Most highly favoured lady
0:07:09 > 0:07:16# Gloria
0:07:21 > 0:07:29# For know a blessed mother thou shalt be
0:07:29 > 0:07:36# All generations laud and honour thee
0:07:36 > 0:07:46# Thy son shall be Emmanuel by seers foretold
0:07:46 > 0:07:52# Most highly favoured lady
0:07:52 > 0:07:58# Gloria
0:08:05 > 0:08:11# Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
0:08:11 > 0:08:19# "To me be as it pleaseth God," she said
0:08:19 > 0:08:28# My soul shall laud and magnify God's holy name
0:08:28 > 0:08:33# Most highly favoured lady
0:08:33 > 0:08:40# Gloria
0:08:48 > 0:08:56# Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
0:08:56 > 0:09:03# In Bethlehem all on Christmas morn
0:09:03 > 0:09:12# And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say
0:09:12 > 0:09:18# Most highly favoured lady
0:09:18 > 0:09:30# Gloria. #
0:09:32 > 0:09:40That was Gabriel's message, an arrangement of the traditional carol, the Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43For many of us, the most familiar telling of the Christmas story
0:09:43 > 0:09:45is in the words of the King James Bible.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49The perfect counterpoint to our musical Nativity.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52And it came to pass in those days that there went out
0:09:52 > 0:09:57a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00And Joseph also went up from Galilee unto the city of David,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04which was called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06being great with child.
0:10:19 > 0:10:25# Donkey riding over the bumpy road
0:10:25 > 0:10:30# Carry Mary all with her heavy load
0:10:30 > 0:10:36# Follow Joseph leading you on your way
0:10:36 > 0:10:40# Until you find a stable
0:10:40 > 0:10:43# Somewhere to rest and stay
0:10:43 > 0:10:49# Donkey riding over the bumpy road
0:10:49 > 0:10:56# Carry Mary all with her heavy All with her heavy
0:10:56 > 0:10:58# All with her heavy load
0:11:04 > 0:11:09# Donkey watching over the Jesus child
0:11:09 > 0:11:15# See the baby all with his mother mild
0:11:15 > 0:11:20# Hear the angels singing their song on high
0:11:20 > 0:11:27# Noel, Noel, Noel Their carolling fills the sky
0:11:27 > 0:11:34# Donkey watching over the Jesus child
0:11:34 > 0:11:38# See the baby all with his mother
0:11:38 > 0:11:44# All with his mother All with his mother mild
0:11:48 > 0:11:54# Donkey skip for joy as you go your way
0:11:54 > 0:12:01# Alleluia, Jesus is born today
0:12:01 > 0:12:07# Hark, the bells ring out with their message clear
0:12:07 > 0:12:13# Rejoice and sing that Christ our Saviour Divine is here
0:12:13 > 0:12:19# Donkey skip for joy as you go your way
0:12:19 > 0:12:22# Alleluia
0:12:22 > 0:12:28# Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
0:12:28 > 0:12:37# Christ is born today. #
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Such a big part of the Nativity story
0:12:48 > 0:12:51is the story of the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53That is the heart of the Nativity story.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56This Jesse Window, John, is...
0:12:56 > 0:13:00Well, it's what Dorchester Abbey is famous for in many ways.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Tell us the significance of the Jesse Tree to the Nativity story.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Well, of course, it's always been important to Christians
0:13:07 > 0:13:10to trace Christ's ancestry
0:13:10 > 0:13:15and there were 42 generations between Abraham and Joseph
0:13:15 > 0:13:20and a Jesse Tree is often depicted, but not so often in stone.
0:13:20 > 0:13:26But it brings this whole idea of growth and flowering to life.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Christ himself was seen as a flower,
0:13:29 > 0:13:35the Virgin Mary was portrayed often as a rose or some kind of a flower
0:13:35 > 0:13:38and that's really the theme of John Audelay's poem -
0:13:38 > 0:13:42There is a flower sprung of a tree The root of it is called Jesse
0:13:42 > 0:13:47A flower of price There is none such in Paradise.
0:13:47 > 0:13:54# There is a flower sprung of a tree
0:13:54 > 0:14:00# The root thereof is called Jesse
0:14:00 > 0:14:04# A flower of price
0:14:04 > 0:14:11# There is none such in paradise
0:14:11 > 0:14:17# This flower is fair and fresh of hue
0:14:17 > 0:14:23# It fadeth never But ever is new
0:14:23 > 0:14:30# The blessed branch This flower on grew
0:14:30 > 0:14:37# Was Mary mild that bare Jesu
0:14:37 > 0:14:41# A flower of grace
0:14:41 > 0:14:49# Against all sorrow It is solace
0:14:49 > 0:14:55# When that fair flower Began to spread
0:14:55 > 0:15:02# And his sweet blossom began to bed
0:15:02 > 0:15:09# Then rich and poor of every land
0:15:09 > 0:15:12# They marvelled how
0:15:12 > 0:15:19# This flower might spread Till kinges three
0:15:19 > 0:15:26# That blessed flower came to see
0:15:26 > 0:15:29# Alleluia, Alleluia
0:15:29 > 0:15:36# Angels there came From heaven's tower
0:15:36 > 0:15:41- # To look upon this freshele flower - Alleluia, Alleluia
0:15:41 > 0:15:48- # How fair he was in his colour - Alleluia, Alleluia
0:15:48 > 0:15:55- # And how sweet in his savour - Alleluia, Alleluia
0:15:55 > 0:16:00# And to behold how such a flower
0:16:00 > 0:16:05# Might spring in gold
0:16:05 > 0:16:12# There is a flower sprung of a tree
0:16:12 > 0:16:18# The root thereof is called Jesse
0:16:18 > 0:16:23# A flower of price
0:16:23 > 0:16:29# There is none such
0:16:29 > 0:16:40# In paradise. #
0:16:44 > 0:16:50For many, many artists, the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus
0:16:50 > 0:16:56seem to symbolise the human dimension of the Christian faith,
0:16:56 > 0:17:02that it all comes down to one family - mother and child.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05And the way they have interpreted that
0:17:05 > 0:17:11is infinitely varied, but for me, THE period is the late Middle Ages
0:17:11 > 0:17:14and the early Renaissance
0:17:14 > 0:17:21where artists seemed to capture a kind of serenity and a calm,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24which, for me, is so rare in real life
0:17:24 > 0:17:29and is so precious in that Christmas story.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33There's something contemplative about the Virgin Mary
0:17:33 > 0:17:36as she was generally portrayed,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40as if she's pondering the mystery
0:17:40 > 0:17:47of the extraordinary birth and remembering Gabriel appearing to her,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50which is one of the most extraordinary stories in the Bible.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55I think we all are nourished by those images,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58even though we may not be conscious of it.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02This is also perfectly described in one of your earliest carols -
0:18:02 > 0:18:06The Nativity Carol, the first one you wrote, I believe.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09The Nativity Carol was written when I was at school.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12I think I was about 16 at the time
0:18:12 > 0:18:18and I just had this idea of three-bar phrases
0:18:18 > 0:18:20and four-bar phrases that would alternate.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24So, it was actually a rather technical idea, in a funny way,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27but the words seemed to grow out of that -
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Born in a stable so bare Born so long ago
0:18:29 > 0:18:33Born 'neath light of star He who loved us so.
0:18:40 > 0:18:47# Born in a stable so bare
0:18:47 > 0:18:53# Born so long ago
0:18:53 > 0:18:59# Born 'neath light of star
0:18:59 > 0:19:05# He who loved us so
0:19:05 > 0:19:09# Far away
0:19:09 > 0:19:14# Silent he lay
0:19:14 > 0:19:18# Born today
0:19:18 > 0:19:23# Your homage pay
0:19:23 > 0:19:30# For Christ is born for aye
0:19:30 > 0:19:37# Born on Christmas Day
0:19:39 > 0:19:46# Love in that stable was born
0:19:46 > 0:19:52# Into our hearts to flow
0:19:52 > 0:19:58# Innocent dreaming babe
0:19:58 > 0:20:06# Make me thy love to know
0:20:06 > 0:20:09# Far away
0:20:09 > 0:20:15# Silent he lay
0:20:15 > 0:20:18# Born today
0:20:18 > 0:20:24# Your homage pay
0:20:24 > 0:20:32# Christ is born for aye
0:20:32 > 0:20:44# Born on Christmas Day. #
0:20:49 > 0:20:51And she brought forth her first-born son
0:20:51 > 0:20:55and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger
0:20:55 > 0:20:58because there was no room for them in the inn.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01We've just heard a carol that was written a long time ago -
0:21:01 > 0:21:03your first ever carol, The Nativity Carol.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Now, we'll hear one which has been written most recently -
0:21:06 > 0:21:08The Colours Of Christmas
0:21:08 > 0:21:11and it's going to be performed by a choir close to your heart -
0:21:11 > 0:21:15the Children's International Voices of Enfield.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18# One, two, three, five, six, five
0:21:18 > 0:21:20# One, two, four, five, six... #
0:21:20 > 0:21:24I've known June Keyte, the director of Children's International Voices
0:21:24 > 0:21:28for many years now and we're close friends.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30I've written for her from time to time
0:21:30 > 0:21:34and when I wrote a carol just a year or so ago,
0:21:34 > 0:21:40I thought that this might be really appropriate for her choir
0:21:40 > 0:21:45and it was clear from the very first time through
0:21:45 > 0:21:48that they were going to sing it just beautifully.
0:21:48 > 0:21:55# Blue for the robe of his mother so mild
0:21:55 > 0:22:02# Gold for the precious gifts they brought to the child... #
0:22:02 > 0:22:07There's a freshness and an immediacy which is very hard to recapture
0:22:07 > 0:22:09once you've grown up.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13It's the fact that they're doing something almost for the first time
0:22:13 > 0:22:19and they're discovering that it just brings a wonderful, physical sensation about singing.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I remember when I first began to sing,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25I was no more than four or five years old,
0:22:25 > 0:22:29my school report said, "Sings well when he sings softly".
0:22:29 > 0:22:32I don't know what that says about me,
0:22:32 > 0:22:34but I've always loved writing for children's voices.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36They're always a joy.
0:22:45 > 0:22:53# Green for the ivy that grows by the wall
0:22:53 > 0:23:00# White for the mistletoe that hangs in the hall
0:23:00 > 0:23:07# Red for the berries that shine in the snow
0:23:07 > 0:23:14# Orange and yellow for morning's first glow
0:23:14 > 0:23:20# These are the colours of Christmas
0:23:20 > 0:23:27# Let them shine all over the earth
0:23:27 > 0:23:32# These are the colours of happiness
0:23:32 > 0:23:40# The joy of a new baby's birth
0:23:40 > 0:23:47# Blue for the robe of his mother so mild
0:23:47 > 0:23:55# Gold for the precious gifts they brought to the child
0:23:55 > 0:24:03# Silver the starlight to shine through your sleep
0:24:05 > 0:24:12# And a rainbow for all the sweet dreams you will keep
0:24:12 > 0:24:17# These are the colours of Christmas
0:24:17 > 0:24:24# Let them shine all over the earth
0:24:24 > 0:24:29# These are the colours of happiness
0:24:29 > 0:24:38# The joy of a new baby's birth
0:24:38 > 0:24:46# Blue for the robe of his mother so mild
0:24:46 > 0:24:53# Gold for the precious gifts they brought to the child
0:24:53 > 0:25:02# Silver the starlight to shine through your sleep
0:25:02 > 0:25:11# And a rainbow for all the sweet dreams
0:25:11 > 0:25:16# You will keep. #
0:25:24 > 0:25:25It's now Christmas morning.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29What better way to celebrate than with Ding Dong! Merrily On High?
0:25:29 > 0:25:30We're going to hear that now.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34You've chosen the arrangement by your great friend and mentor,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36David Willcocks.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Ding Dong! Merrily On High has got all the Christmas sparkle
0:25:40 > 0:25:44you could ever wish for and anyone who's ever sung in a choir
0:25:44 > 0:25:46will know the great challenge is to get to the end
0:25:46 > 0:25:48of the "Gloria In Excelsis" bit
0:25:48 > 0:25:50without taking a breath in the middle.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55With the Cambridge singers on hand, I'm confident that we can do that.
0:25:55 > 0:26:01Sir David Willcocks' arrangement, for me, adds sparkle to sparkle.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03It's an absolute winner.
0:26:09 > 0:26:15# Ding dong! Merrily on high In heaven the bells are ringing
0:26:15 > 0:26:22# Ding dong! Verily the sky Is riven with angels singing
0:26:22 > 0:26:31# Gloria
0:26:31 > 0:26:35# Hosanna in excelsis!
0:26:35 > 0:26:44# Gloria
0:26:44 > 0:26:47# Hosanna in excelsis!
0:26:50 > 0:26:56# E'en so here below, below Let steeple bells be swung
0:26:56 > 0:27:03# And, "Io, io, io!" By priest and people sung
0:27:03 > 0:27:12# Gloria
0:27:12 > 0:27:16# Hosanna in excelsis!
0:27:16 > 0:27:25# Gloria
0:27:25 > 0:27:29# Hosanna in excelsis!
0:27:31 > 0:27:38# Pray you, dutifully prime Your matin chime, ye ringers
0:27:38 > 0:27:44# May you beautifully rime Your evetime song, ye singers
0:27:44 > 0:27:52# Gloria
0:27:52 > 0:27:56# Hosanna in excelsis!
0:27:56 > 0:28:06# Gloria
0:28:06 > 0:28:14# Hosanna in excelsis! #
0:28:14 > 0:28:17BELLS CHIME
0:28:17 > 0:28:20Our next carol is I Wonder As I Wander,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24sung for us by baritone Gerald Finley.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28I Wonder As I Wander is a carol that comes from
0:28:28 > 0:28:31the Appalachian folk people of North America,
0:28:31 > 0:28:36so I feel that that's something I can associate to quite well,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39being from Canada.
0:28:39 > 0:28:45It's a folk melody, it uses very, very simple language,
0:28:45 > 0:28:49a very simple tune and the way John has arranged it,
0:28:49 > 0:28:50it's magical.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27# I wonder as I wander
0:29:27 > 0:29:31# Out under the sky
0:29:31 > 0:29:35# How Jesus the saviour
0:29:35 > 0:29:39# Did come for to die
0:29:39 > 0:29:43# For poor ordinary people
0:29:43 > 0:29:47# Like you and like I
0:29:47 > 0:29:52# I wonder as I wander
0:29:52 > 0:29:59# Out under the sky
0:29:59 > 0:30:02# When Mary birthed Jesus
0:30:02 > 0:30:07# 'Twas in a cow's stall
0:30:07 > 0:30:10# With wise men and farmers
0:30:10 > 0:30:15# And shepherds and all
0:30:15 > 0:30:18# But high from God's heaven
0:30:18 > 0:30:22# The star's light did fall
0:30:22 > 0:30:27# Then the promise of the ages
0:30:27 > 0:30:32# It then did recall... #
0:30:41 > 0:30:45# If Jesus had wanted
0:30:45 > 0:30:49# For any wee thing
0:30:49 > 0:30:57# A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
0:30:57 > 0:31:05# Or all of God's angels in heaven to sing
0:31:05 > 0:31:09# He surely could have had it
0:31:09 > 0:31:15# Because he was the King
0:31:37 > 0:31:41# I wonder as I wander
0:31:41 > 0:31:45# Out under the sky
0:31:45 > 0:31:49# How Jesus the saviour
0:31:49 > 0:31:54# Did come for to die
0:31:54 > 0:31:58# For poor ordinary people
0:31:58 > 0:32:03# Like you and like I
0:32:03 > 0:32:09# I wonder as I wander
0:32:09 > 0:32:11# Out under
0:32:11 > 0:32:17# The sky. #
0:32:31 > 0:32:35And there were, in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38keeping watch over their flock by night.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them
0:32:40 > 0:32:42and glory of the Lord shone round about them,
0:32:42 > 0:32:44and they were sore afraid.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46And the angel said unto them,
0:32:46 > 0:32:50"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53"which shall be to all people."
0:32:53 > 0:32:57Our story now moves on to the appearance of the angels
0:32:57 > 0:33:01to the shepherds and you've chosen a passage from Handel's Messiah.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Handel's Messiah.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08And the most extraordinary passage in it, in a way,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11is the narrative of the angels and the shepherds
0:33:11 > 0:33:14because it's the only time that Handel tells the story
0:33:14 > 0:33:17direct in the words of the Bible
0:33:17 > 0:33:20and brings it to life almost as if it was an opera.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23And you seem to see those sleepy shepherds,
0:33:23 > 0:33:27they're suddenly awakened by this light in the sky
0:33:27 > 0:33:28and the angel of the Lord
0:33:28 > 0:33:31and they become more and more excited.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35And then, the whole heavenly host is there singing "glory to God."
0:33:35 > 0:33:40Handel was a man of the theatre and he just brings that scene to life.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44It's so special, it's something I remember from my childhood,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46from when my mum sang it in choirs.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48And so, to get the chance to stand up and to, as it were,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51BE the Angel Gabriel is very special.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58# There were shepherds abiding in the field
0:33:58 > 0:34:05# Keeping watch over their flock by night
0:34:07 > 0:34:09# And lo!
0:34:09 > 0:34:13# The angel of the Lord came upon them
0:34:13 > 0:34:18# And the glory of the Lord shone round about them
0:34:18 > 0:34:22# And they were sore afraid
0:34:24 > 0:34:28# And the Angel said unto them
0:34:28 > 0:34:31# Fear not, for behold
0:34:31 > 0:34:35# I bring you good tidings of great joy
0:34:35 > 0:34:39# Which shall be to all people
0:34:41 > 0:34:45# For unto you is born this day
0:34:45 > 0:34:50# In the City Of David a saviour
0:34:50 > 0:34:54# Which is Christ the Lord
0:35:01 > 0:35:04# And suddenly there was an angel
0:35:04 > 0:35:08# A multitude of the heavenly host
0:35:08 > 0:35:11# Praising God and saying
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- FULL CHOIR:- # Glory to God
0:35:15 > 0:35:21# Glory to God in the highest
0:35:23 > 0:35:29# And peace on Earth
0:35:34 > 0:35:38# Glory to God, glory to God
0:35:38 > 0:35:43# Glory to God in the highest
0:35:45 > 0:35:50# And peace on Earth
0:35:52 > 0:35:58- ALL REPEAT: - # Good will to all men
0:36:11 > 0:36:14# Glory to God
0:36:14 > 0:36:19# Glory to God in the highest
0:36:20 > 0:36:25# And peace on Earth
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- ALL REPEAT: - # Good will to all men. #
0:37:09 > 0:37:12One of your most popular carols is The Shepherd's Pipe Carol.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14And we are now at that stage in the Nativity
0:37:14 > 0:37:16when the shepherds are travelling to Bethlehem.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20Tell me what inspired that carol, one of the earliest ones you wrote.
0:37:20 > 0:37:26I wrote The Shepherd's Pipe Carol just at the end of my time at school.
0:37:26 > 0:37:32And I think I had been leafing through a book of Picasso.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37And I remember seeing the little shepherd boy
0:37:37 > 0:37:40with his arm round a baby sheep.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42But there was something just rather innocent
0:37:42 > 0:37:45and rather lovely, and I thought,
0:37:45 > 0:37:47"Well, I wonder if he was a musical shepherd."
0:37:47 > 0:37:49And I wondered whether he might have been the one
0:37:49 > 0:37:51who wanted to tell the story.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02# Going through the hills on a night all starry
0:38:02 > 0:38:04# On the way to Bethlehem
0:38:04 > 0:38:09# Far away I heard a shepherd boy piping
0:38:09 > 0:38:12# On the way to Bethlehem
0:38:12 > 0:38:16# Angels in the sky brought this message nigh
0:38:16 > 0:38:20# Dance and sing for joy that Christ the King of Kings
0:38:20 > 0:38:23# Is come to bring us peace on Earth and he's lying
0:38:23 > 0:38:25# Cradled there at Bethlehem
0:38:29 > 0:38:32# Tell me, shepherd boy piping tunes so merrily
0:38:32 > 0:38:35# On the way to Bethlehem
0:38:36 > 0:38:39# Who will hear your tunes on these hills so lonely?
0:38:39 > 0:38:42# On the way to Bethlehem
0:38:43 > 0:38:46# Angels in the sky brought this message nigh
0:38:46 > 0:38:50# Dance and sing for joy that Christ the King of Kings
0:38:50 > 0:38:54# Is come to bring us peace on Earth and he's lying
0:38:54 > 0:38:56# Cradled there at Bethlehem
0:39:00 > 0:39:03# None may hear my pipes on these hills so lonely
0:39:03 > 0:39:07# On the way to Bethlehem
0:39:07 > 0:39:11# But a King will hear me play sweet lullabies
0:39:11 > 0:39:16# When I get to Bethlehem
0:39:16 > 0:39:19# Angels in the sky came down from on high
0:39:19 > 0:39:23# Hovered o'er the manger where the babe was lying
0:39:23 > 0:39:28# Cradled in the arms of his mother Mary
0:39:28 > 0:39:30# Sleeping now at Bethlehem
0:39:33 > 0:39:38# Where is this new King, shepherd boy piping merrily?
0:39:38 > 0:39:40# Is he there at Bethlehem?
0:39:40 > 0:39:45# I will find him soon by the star shining brightly
0:39:45 > 0:39:48# In the sky o'er Bethlehem
0:39:48 > 0:39:52# Angels in the sky brought this message nigh
0:39:52 > 0:39:56# Dance and sing for joy that Christ the King of Kings
0:39:56 > 0:40:00# Is come to bring us peace on Earth and he's lying
0:40:00 > 0:40:01# Cradled there at Bethlehem
0:40:03 > 0:40:07# May I come with you, shepherd boy piping merrily?
0:40:07 > 0:40:09# Come with you to Bethlehem?
0:40:11 > 0:40:14# Pay my homage too at the new King's cradle
0:40:14 > 0:40:16# Is it far to Bethlehem?
0:40:18 > 0:40:21# Angels in the sky brought this message nigh
0:40:21 > 0:40:25# Dance and sing for joy that Christ the King of Kings
0:40:25 > 0:40:29# Is come this night and born in a stable lowly
0:40:29 > 0:40:31# Born for you
0:40:31 > 0:40:38# At Bethlehem. #
0:40:40 > 0:40:44And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph
0:40:44 > 0:40:47and the babe lying in a manger.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying that
0:40:50 > 0:40:52was told them concerning this child.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them
0:40:56 > 0:40:57by the shepherds.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Christina Rossetti's poem In The Bleak Midwinter
0:41:06 > 0:41:10is a beautiful reflection on the scene in the stable
0:41:10 > 0:41:12after Jesus is born.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15There are two famous musical settings of her words
0:41:15 > 0:41:17one by Gustav Holst
0:41:17 > 0:41:20and one by London organist and composer Harold Darke.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23John met Harold Darke when In The Bleak Midwinter
0:41:23 > 0:41:25was performed alongside one of his own carols
0:41:25 > 0:41:29at a Bach Choir Christmas concert in the 1970s.
0:41:36 > 0:41:42# In the bleak midwinter
0:41:42 > 0:41:48# Frosty wind made moan
0:41:48 > 0:41:54# Earth stood hard as iron
0:41:54 > 0:42:02# Water like a stone
0:42:02 > 0:42:08# Snow had fallen, snow on snow
0:42:08 > 0:42:14# Snow on snow
0:42:14 > 0:42:21# In the bleak midwinter
0:42:21 > 0:42:26# Long
0:42:26 > 0:42:31# Ago
0:42:38 > 0:42:44# Enough for him whom cherubim
0:42:44 > 0:42:50# Worship night and day
0:42:50 > 0:42:56# A breast full of milk
0:42:56 > 0:42:59# And a manger
0:42:59 > 0:43:04# For a bed
0:43:04 > 0:43:11# Enough for him whom angels
0:43:11 > 0:43:17# Fall down before
0:43:17 > 0:43:23# The ox and ass and camel
0:43:23 > 0:43:30# Which adore
0:43:37 > 0:43:44# What can I give him?
0:43:44 > 0:43:51# Poor as I am
0:43:51 > 0:43:57# If I were a shepherd
0:43:57 > 0:44:04# I would bring a lamb
0:44:05 > 0:44:11# If I were a wise man
0:44:11 > 0:44:16# I would do my part
0:44:16 > 0:44:20# Yet what I can
0:44:20 > 0:44:24# I give him
0:44:24 > 0:44:27# Give
0:44:27 > 0:44:33# My heart
0:44:33 > 0:44:39# Give
0:44:39 > 0:44:45# My heart. #
0:45:01 > 0:45:06And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them,
0:45:06 > 0:45:09till it came and stood over where the young child was.
0:45:09 > 0:45:13When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child
0:45:17 > 0:45:20with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him.
0:45:26 > 0:45:28# Sing this night
0:45:28 > 0:45:30# For a boy is born in Bethlehem
0:45:30 > 0:45:31# Christ our Lord
0:45:31 > 0:45:33# In a lowly manger lies
0:45:33 > 0:45:35# Bring your gifts
0:45:35 > 0:45:37# Come and worship at his cradle
0:45:37 > 0:45:42# Hurry to Bethlehem And see the son of Mary
0:45:44 > 0:45:48# See his star shining bright
0:45:48 > 0:45:51# In the sky this Christmas night
0:45:51 > 0:45:55# Follow me joyfully
0:45:55 > 0:46:00# Hurry to Bethlehem And see the son of Mary
0:46:04 > 0:46:05# Angels bright
0:46:05 > 0:46:07# Come from heavens highest glory
0:46:07 > 0:46:09# Bear the news
0:46:09 > 0:46:11# With its message of good cheer
0:46:11 > 0:46:12# Sing, rejoice
0:46:12 > 0:46:14# For a King is come to save us
0:46:14 > 0:46:19# Hurry to Bethlehem And see the son of Mary
0:46:22 > 0:46:25# See his star shining bright
0:46:25 > 0:46:29# In the sky this Christmas night
0:46:29 > 0:46:32# Follow me joyfully
0:46:32 > 0:46:38# Hurry to Bethlehem And see the son of Mary
0:46:42 > 0:46:46# Asleep he lies In his mother's tender keeping
0:46:46 > 0:46:50# Jesus Christ In her loving arms asleep
0:46:50 > 0:46:54# Shepherds, poor Come to worship and adore him
0:46:54 > 0:47:00# Offer their humble gifts Before the son of man
0:47:03 > 0:47:07# See his star shining bright
0:47:07 > 0:47:10# In the sky this Christmas night
0:47:10 > 0:47:15# Follow me joyfully
0:47:15 > 0:47:20# Hurry to Bethlehem And see the son of Mary
0:47:24 > 0:47:28# Let us all pay our homage At the manger
0:47:28 > 0:47:32# Sing his praise On this joyful Christmas night
0:47:32 > 0:47:35# Christ is come Bringing promise of salvation
0:47:35 > 0:47:41# Hurry to Bethlehem And see the son of Mary
0:47:44 > 0:47:47# See his star shining bright
0:47:47 > 0:47:50# In the sky this Christmas night
0:47:50 > 0:47:54# Follow me joyfully
0:47:54 > 0:47:59# Hurry to Bethlehem And see the son of Mary
0:48:00 > 0:48:07# Hurry to Bethlehem And see the son of Mary. #
0:48:12 > 0:48:15Now we're going to move on to the arrival of the three kings
0:48:15 > 0:48:18and am I right in thinking this was the solo
0:48:18 > 0:48:21that Gerry Finley sang when you discovered him?
0:48:21 > 0:48:25I do remember that Gerry Finley sang The Three Kings
0:48:25 > 0:48:29while he was a choral scholar at King's College
0:48:29 > 0:48:33and I heard him sing it and I thought, "My goodness me".
0:48:33 > 0:48:37"This is going to be his signature tune."
0:48:37 > 0:48:40And I was very shy of asking, all these years later,
0:48:40 > 0:48:45whether he would be willing to repeat his performance
0:48:45 > 0:48:47and he said an immediate yes.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50This time of year is always a special time.
0:48:50 > 0:48:54I've sung carols since I was a boy chorister
0:48:54 > 0:48:59and although I'm an opera singer now and travelling the world,
0:48:59 > 0:49:02Christmas time is always about coming back to the carols.
0:49:04 > 0:49:10# Three Kings from Persian lands afar
0:49:12 > 0:49:18# To Jordan follow the pointing star
0:49:18 > 0:49:22# And this the quest Of the travellers three
0:49:22 > 0:49:29# Where the new-born King Of the Jews may be
0:49:31 > 0:49:35# Full royal gifts they bear For the King
0:49:35 > 0:49:42# Gold, incense, myrrh Are their offering
0:49:45 > 0:49:51# The star shines out With a steadfast ray
0:49:53 > 0:49:58# The kings to Bethlehem Make their way
0:50:00 > 0:50:05# And there in worship They bend the knee
0:50:05 > 0:50:11# As Mary's child In her lap they see
0:50:13 > 0:50:18# Their royal gifts They show to the King
0:50:18 > 0:50:27# Gold, incense, myrrh Are their offering
0:50:31 > 0:50:34# Thou child of man
0:50:34 > 0:50:40# Lo, to Bethlehem
0:50:40 > 0:50:45# The Kings are travelling
0:50:46 > 0:50:52# Travel with them
0:50:52 > 0:50:57# The star of mercy The star of grace
0:50:57 > 0:51:01# Shall lead thy heart To its resting place
0:51:01 > 0:51:07# Gold, incense, myrrh Thou canst not bring
0:51:08 > 0:51:15# Offer thy heart to the infant King
0:51:21 > 0:51:30# Offer thy heart. #
0:51:34 > 0:51:37You've been called a composer in residence for Christmas,
0:51:37 > 0:51:41which is a lovely title, one I'm sure you're very proud of,
0:51:41 > 0:51:43but I think people might be surprised to hear
0:51:43 > 0:51:46that you're not a hugely church-going Christian, are you?
0:51:46 > 0:51:50I suppose I've got a sceptical mind by nature
0:51:50 > 0:51:56and I always think religious faiths are a gift rather like perfect pitch.
0:51:56 > 0:52:00If you haven't got it, don't pretend you've got it
0:52:00 > 0:52:03because you'll get found out.
0:52:03 > 0:52:09I... I find that I'm nourished and uplifted by faith.
0:52:10 > 0:52:15The ceremonies, the history, the liturgy, the music of the Church
0:52:15 > 0:52:20is part of me, and I can't imagine my life without it.
0:52:20 > 0:52:24I'm just not terribly good at signing on dotted lines
0:52:24 > 0:52:27and I think, well, I'll find out soon enough.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37# I saw three ships come sailing in
0:52:37 > 0:52:40# Come sailing in Come sailing in
0:52:40 > 0:52:43# I saw three ships come sailing in
0:52:43 > 0:52:46# On Christmas Day in the morning
0:52:46 > 0:52:49# And here they sail Those ships all three
0:52:49 > 0:52:52# The ships all three The ships all three
0:52:52 > 0:52:55# And here they sail The ships all three
0:52:55 > 0:52:57# On Christmas Day in the morning
0:52:59 > 0:53:02# They sailed into Bethlehem
0:53:02 > 0:53:04# To Bethlehem To Bethlehem
0:53:04 > 0:53:07# O they sailed into Bethlehem
0:53:07 > 0:53:10# On Christmas Day in the morning
0:53:11 > 0:53:14# And who should be in those three ships
0:53:14 > 0:53:16# In those three ships In those three ships
0:53:16 > 0:53:19# And who should be in those three ships
0:53:19 > 0:53:22# But Joseph and his lady
0:53:23 > 0:53:26# And he did whistle And she did sing
0:53:26 > 0:53:28# And she did sing And she did sing
0:53:28 > 0:53:31# And he did whistle And she did sing
0:53:31 > 0:53:34# On Christmas Day in the morning
0:53:36 > 0:53:38WHISTLING TO THE TUNE OF THE VERSE
0:53:47 > 0:53:50# La la la la la la la la
0:53:50 > 0:53:53# La-la la la La-la la la
0:53:53 > 0:53:56# La la la la la la la la
0:53:56 > 0:53:58# La la la-la la-la la-la la
0:53:59 > 0:54:02# And all the bells On Earth shall ring
0:54:02 > 0:54:04# On Earth shall ring On Earth shall ring
0:54:04 > 0:54:07# And all the bells On Earth shall ring
0:54:07 > 0:54:10# On Christmas Day in the morning
0:54:10 > 0:54:12# And all the angels In heaven shall sing
0:54:12 > 0:54:16# In heaven shall sing In heaven shall sing
0:54:16 > 0:54:19# And all the angels In heaven shall sing
0:54:19 > 0:54:21# On Christmas Day in the morning
0:54:23 > 0:54:26# Then let us all rejoice again
0:54:26 > 0:54:28# Rejoice again Rejoice again
0:54:28 > 0:54:32# Then let us all rejoice again
0:54:32 > 0:54:36# On Christmas Day in the morning. #
0:54:41 > 0:54:45Written nearly 200 years ago in Austria by a school teacher
0:54:45 > 0:54:47and a guitar-playing parish priest
0:54:47 > 0:54:51and indisputably one of the world's favourite Christmas songs.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53Silent night, holy night.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56This is John's own arrangement and it just remains for me
0:54:56 > 0:54:59to say on behalf of everybody here at Dorchester Abbey,
0:54:59 > 0:55:02a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
0:55:22 > 0:55:26# Silent night
0:55:26 > 0:55:30# Holy night
0:55:30 > 0:55:34# All is calm
0:55:34 > 0:55:37# All is bright
0:55:37 > 0:55:41# Round yon virgin
0:55:41 > 0:55:45# Mother and child
0:55:46 > 0:55:49# Holy infant
0:55:49 > 0:55:53# So tender and mild
0:55:54 > 0:56:00# Sleep in heavenly peace
0:56:03 > 0:56:09# Sleep in heavenly peace
0:56:12 > 0:56:16# Silent night
0:56:16 > 0:56:20# Holy night
0:56:20 > 0:56:23# Shepherds first
0:56:23 > 0:56:28# Saw the sight
0:56:28 > 0:56:35# Glories stream from heaven afar
0:56:37 > 0:56:43# Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
0:56:45 > 0:56:51# Christ the Saviour is born
0:56:53 > 0:56:59# Christ the Saviour is born
0:57:06 > 0:57:10# Silent night
0:57:10 > 0:57:15# Holy night
0:57:15 > 0:57:19# Son of God
0:57:19 > 0:57:23# Love's pure light
0:57:23 > 0:57:32# Radiance beams From Thy holy face
0:57:32 > 0:57:40# With the dawn of redeeming grace
0:57:41 > 0:57:50# Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
0:57:51 > 0:57:58# Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. #
0:58:19 > 0:58:23Subtitling by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:23 > 0:58:28E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk