An immersive audio experience of the carol service
For many around the world, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, live from the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, marks the beginning of Christmas.
For this centenary service, BBC Research & Development present a spatial version of the carol service, for listening to on headphones. Binaural technology emulates the way we hear sound by applying different filters to each microphone used in the radio outside broadcast. You’ll hear sounds coming from all around you, including the processing choir and the three-dimensional acoustics of the chapel. Any headphones or in-ears will work, just ensure you’re wearing them the correct way round - left channel on your left ear and right channel on your right ear.
Hymn: Once in Royal David's City (desc. Cleobury)*
Bidding Prayer read by the Dean
Up! good Christen folk (Piae Cantiones)*
First lesson: Genesis 3 vv 8-19 read by a Chorister
Adam lay ybounden (Ord)
Jesus Christ the Apple Tree (Poston)
Second lesson: Genesis 22 vv 15-18 read by a Choral Scholar
In dulci jubilo (arr. de Pearsall)*
I saw three ships (arr. Simon Preston)
Third lesson: Isaiah 9 vv 2, 6-7 read by a representative of Eton College
Nowell sing we now all and some (Medieval)
Unto us is born a Son (arr. Willcocks)*
Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11 vv 1-3a, 4a, 6-9 read by a Fellow
A spotless rose (Howells)
The Lamb (Tavener)
Fifth lesson: Luke 1 vv 26-38 read by the Master over the Choristers
Joys seven (arr. Cleobury)
Bogoróditse Dyévo (Arvo Pärt)
Sixth lesson: Luke 2 vv 1-7 read by the Mayor of Cambridge
What sweeter music? (John Rutter)
Stille Nacht (arr.Ledger)
Seventh lesson: Luke 2 vv 8-16 read by the Director of Music
In the bleak midwinter (Darke)
While shepherds watched (desc. Cleobury)*
Eighth lesson: Matthew 2 vv 1-12 read by the Vice-Provost
O mercy divine (Judith Weir) (King’s College Commission 2018)
Sir Christèmas (Mathias)
Ninth lesson: John 1 vv 1-14 read by the Provost
O come, all ye faithful (arr. Willcocks)*
Collect and Blessing
Hark! The herald angels sing (desc. Cleobury)*
Organ voluntaries:
In dulci jubilo (BWV 729) (Bach), Pièces de Fantaisie en quatre suites, Livre II op. 53: Toccata (Vierne)
Director of Music: Stephen Cleobury
Organ scholar: Henry Websdale
Cellist: Guy Johnston
This year’s music includes a number of pieces which were sung at the 1918 service (asterisked, performed this year not necessarily in the original arrangements).
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Latest PostAn immersive audio experience of the carol service
For many around the world, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, live from the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, marks the beginning of Christmas.
For this centenary service, BBC Research & Development present a spatial version of the carol service, for listening to on headphones. Binaural technology emulates the way we hear sound by applying different filters to each microphone used in the radio outside broadcast. You’ll hear sounds coming from all around you, including the processing choir and the three-dimensional acoustics of the chapel. Any headphones or in-ears will work, just ensure you’re wearing them the correct way round - left channel on your left ear and right channel on your right ear.
Hymn: Once in Royal David's City (desc. Cleobury)*
Bidding Prayer read by the Dean
Up! good Christen folk (Piae Cantiones)*
First lesson: Genesis 3 vv 8-19 read by a Chorister
Adam lay ybounden (Ord)
Jesus Christ the Apple Tree (Poston)
Second lesson: Genesis 22 vv 15-18 read by a Choral Scholar
In dulci jubilo (arr. de Pearsall)*
I saw three ships (arr. Simon Preston)
Third lesson: Isaiah 9 vv 2, 6-7 read by a representative of Eton College
Nowell sing we now all and some (Medieval)
Unto us is born a Son (arr. Willcocks)*
Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11 vv 1-3a, 4a, 6-9 read by a Fellow
A spotless rose (Howells)
The Lamb (Tavener)
Fifth lesson: Luke 1 vv 26-38 read by the Master over the Choristers
Joys seven (arr. Cleobury)
Bogoróditse Dyévo (Arvo Pärt)
Sixth lesson: Luke 2 vv 1-7 read by the Mayor of Cambridge
What sweeter music? (John Rutter)
Stille Nacht (arr.Ledger)
Seventh lesson: Luke 2 vv 8-16 read by the Director of Music
In the bleak midwinter (Darke)
While shepherds watched (desc. Cleobury)*
Eighth lesson: Matthew 2 vv 1-12 read by the Vice-Provost
O mercy divine (Judith Weir) (King’s College Commission 2018)
Sir Christèmas (Mathias)
Ninth lesson: John 1 vv 1-14 read by the Provost
O come, all ye faithful (arr. Willcocks)*
Collect and Blessing
Hark! The herald angels sing (desc. Cleobury)*
Organ voluntaries:
In dulci jubilo (BWV 729) (Bach), Pièces de Fantaisie en quatre suites, Livre II op. 53: Toccata (Vierne)
Director of Music: Stephen Cleobury
Organ scholar: Henry Websdale
Cellist: Guy Johnston
This year’s music includes a number of pieces which were sung at the 1918 service (asterisked, performed this year not necessarily in the original arrangements).