This festive season we’re off to King’s College, Cambridge, to celebrate the timeless appeal of the college’s world-famous choir. As the historic ensemble celebrates the 95th anniversary of its much-loved Nine Lessons and Carols radio broadcasts, Amanda Holloway meets their music director Daniel Hyde.
Staying on a King’s theme, Andrew Green remembers Boris Ord, the choirmaster who did so much to make the Cambridge choir the world-renowned institution it is today. And, remaining with all things festive, Jeremy Pound gives us his 15 Christmas music essentials, from Handel’s Messiah to, er, prog-rock behemoth Greg Lake.
More festive fare comes from Rebecca Franks, who guides us through the magic of Concerts by Candlelight; and from Clare Stevens, who explores Britten’s magical A Ceremony of Carols and its best recordings.
Don’t worry, though: we haven’t gone completely Christmas-crazy. Elsewhere, Femke Colborne reports on how a classic Charlie Chaplin film has been adorned with brand new music, while for this month’s BBC Music Magazine interview Tasmin Little waxes lyrical on the joys of hanging up her violin.
For our travel feature, Jeremy Pound enjoys Grieg aplenty (and some very friendly penguins) in Bergen, Norway. The cinematic genius of Bernard Herrmann is explored by Michael Beek for Composer of the Month; and we sign off this month with tenor Russell Watson, who selects the five pieces of music that have had the deepest impact on him.
Merry Christmas and happy reading!
