LSO Discovery
A Singalong Christmas
Today's Programme
Darius Battiwalla Carillon on 'Angelus ad Virginem' *
Traditional arr André J Thomas African Noel *
Boris Ord Adam Lay Ybounden
Joanna Forbes L'Estrange Carol of the Crib
Edmund Walters Babe of Bethlehem *
Percy Grainger Shepherd's Hey
Traditional arr David Willcocks The First Nowell *
Traditional arr Joanna Gill Sir Christemas
Felix Mendelssohn arr David Willcocks Hark! The Herald Angels Sing *
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Christmas Overture
Traditional arr John Gardner Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Traditional arr André J Thomas Shout for Joy! *
Leroy Anderson Sleigh Ride
Traditional arr David Willcocks O Come, All Ye Faithful *
* singalong items
Simon Halsey conductor & presenter
Abigail Kelly soprano
Rodney Earl Clarke bass-baritone
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Thank You for Joining Us Online
Today’s concert, conducted and presented by LSO Choral Director Simon Halsey, was recorded at LSO St Luke’s and involves no fewer than 130 musicians and singers. We were delighted to be joined by soloists Abigail Kelly and Rodney Earl Clarke, with whom the Orchestra has enjoyed numerous previous collaborations. It was a great pleasure also to welcome the London Symphony Chorus to LSO St Luke’s after many months of being unable to sing together, to perform and record a selection of festive pieces.
I hope you will join us in singing along today as the festive season gets underway. We look forward to seeing you again soon, whether online, at LSO St Luke’s, or at the Barbican. Many thanks to all of you for your support during this year. Wishing you a healthy and relaxing holiday season, and a brighter 2021.
Kathryn McDowell CBE DL; Managing Director
Kathryn McDowell CBE DL; Managing Director
Support the LSO's Future
The importance of music and the arts has never been more apparent than in recent months, as we’ve been inspired, comforted and entertained throughout this unprecedented period.
As we emerge from the most challenging period of a generation, please consider supporting the LSO's Always Playing Appeal to sustain the Orchestra, allow us to perform together again on stage and to continue sharing our music with the broadest range of people possible.
Every donation will help to support the LSO’s future.
The London Symphony Orchestra is hugely grateful to all the Patrons and Friends, Corporate Partners, Trusts and Foundations, and other supporters who make its work possible.
The LSO’s return to work is supported by Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne and DnaNudge.
This performance is generously supported by our Technical Partner, Yamaha Professional Audio.
Before you watch the concert, have a practice if you like!
In this video, our choir masters David Lawrence and Lucy Hollins will take you through all the words and music we're inviting you to sing today.
Darius Battiwalla
Carillon on 'Angelus ad Virginem'
(02:02)
Soloists:
Angelus ad Virginem
sub intrans in conclave,
Virginus formidinem
Demulcens, inquit 'Ave!
Ave regina virginum;
Coeli terraeque Dominum
Concipies
Et paries intacta
Salutem hominum;
Tu porta coeli facta,
Medela criminum.
'
'Quomodo conciperem
Quae virum non cognovi?
Qualiter infringerem
Quod firmamente vovi?'
'Spiritus Sancti gratia
Perficiet haec omnia;
Ne timeas,
Sed gaudeas, Secura
Quod castimonia
Manebit in te pura
Dei potentia.'
Ad haec virgo nobilis Respondens inquit ei: 'Ancilla sum humilis Omnipotentis Dei.
Tibi coelesti nuntio,
Tanti secreti conscio,
Consentiens,
Et cupiens Videre
Factum quod audio;
Parata sum parere,
Dei consilio.'
Audience singalong:
Eia mater Domini,
quae pacem reddidisti
Angelis et homini, cum Christum genuisti;
Tuum exora filium
ut se nobis propitium
Exhibeat et deleat peccata: praestans auxilium
Vita frui beata post hoc exilium.
Traditional arr André J Thomas
African Noel
(06:11)
Audience singalong:
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel,
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel,
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel,
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel.
Sing we all Noel,
sing we all Noel,
Sing we all Noel,
sing we all Noel.
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel,
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel,
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel,
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel.
Sing we all Noel, sing we all Noel,
Sing we all Noel, sing we all Noel.
Oh sing, oh sing.
Soloists:
O come, ye people, gather here to hear the news of good cheer,
The King of kings, the Lamb of God is born today in Bethlehem.
Audience singalong:
Sing Noel, sing Noel, sing Noel,
Oh sing Noel, Noel, sing Noel, Noel,
sing Noel!
London Symphony Chorus performs …
Boris Ord
Adam Lay Ybounden
Joanna Forbes L'Estrange
Carol of the Crib
Image: © Kevin Leighton
Edmund Walters
Babe of Bethlehem
(16:01)
Soloists:
In the dead of night all the world lay sleeping in the blanket of the dark;
And the shepherds lay with their sheep on the hills beyond the town,
as they waited for the dawn.
In the starless night heaven’s windows opened pouring light upon the earth:
Angel voices rang telling news of a Child but newly born
with a manger for a bed.
Tremble not good men, said the angel host in silver raiment in the sky.
For the Lord is good, and he knows all the fear within your heart,
so to you he sends his son.
Not on Prince’s throne, but a tiny babe both meek and gentle doth he lie
In a stable room; there with Mary his holy mother mild,
in the town of Bethlehem.
Audience hum along to the tune of Away In A Manger with Rodney, while Abigail sings:
Shepherds rise and sing,
Let us go and see the blessed Child the son of God.
Singing peace on earth
And good will now to all who love the Lord.
Praise Him, Glory Hallelujah!
Shall we take a gift?
What can poor men offer to the Lord, the Prince of Light?
Let us give our hearts,
Let us kneel there and offer all we have to the Babe of Bethlehem.
© Copyright 1974 by Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd.
Reproduced by permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd.
London Symphony Orchestra performs …
Percy Grainger
Shepherd's Hey
Image: © Kevin Leighton
Traditional arr David Willcocks
The First Nowell
(22:22)
Audience singalong:
The first Nowell the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay;
In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star,
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow that star wherever it went:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel!
This star drew nigh to the northwest;
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel!
Then enter'd in those wise men three,
Full rev’rently upon their knee,
And offer'd there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heav’n and earth of naught,
And with His blood mankind hath bought:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel!
London Symphony Chorus performs …
Traditional arr Joanna Gill
Sir Christemas
Image: © Kevin Leighton
Felix Mendelssohn arr David Willcocks
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
(31:04)
Audience singalong:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th’angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King.
Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
hail th’incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King.
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings;
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King.
London Symphony Orchestra performs …
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Christmas Overture
London Symphony Chorus performs …
Traditional arr John Gardner
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Images: © Kevin Leighton
Traditional arr André J Thomas
Shout for Joy!
(46:36)
Audience singalong, soloists only sing italics:
Shout for joy!
The angels shout for joy!
Shout for joy!
All nations shout for joy.
Shout for joy!
The angels shout for joy!
Shout for joy!
All nations shout for joy.
Mary had a baby, shout for joy,
Mary had a baby, shout for joy,
Born in a stable, shout for joy,
Born in a stable, shout for joy.
He was the Prince of Peace,
Mighty Counsellor,
Lord of Lords,
King of Kings.
Laid Him in manger, shout for joy,
Laid Him in a manger, shout for joy,
Named Him King-a Jesus, shout for joy,
Named Him King-a Jesus, shout for joy.
He was the Prince of Peace,
Mighty Counsellor,
Lord of Lords,
King of Kings.
Shepherds came to see Him, shout for joy,
Wise men brought Him presents, shout for joy,
Herod tried to find Him, shout for joy,
They went away to Egypt, shout for joy.
He was the Prince of Peace,
Mighty Counsellor,
Lord of Lords,
King of Kings.
Mary rode a donkey, shout for joy,
Joseph walked beside them, shout for joy,
Angels watchin’ over, shout for joy,
Oh, Lord, shout for joy.
He was the Prince of Peace,
Mighty Counsellor, Mighty Counsellor, Mighty Counsellor,
Lord of Lords, King of Kings.
Shout for joy!
The angels shout for joy!
Shout for joy!
All nations shout for joy.
Shout for joy!
On Christmas Day we shout for joy,
Shout for joy!
London Symphony Orchestra performs …
Leroy Anderson
Sleigh Ride
Image: © Kevin Leighton
Traditional arr David Willcocks
O Come, All Ye Faithful
(52:52)
Audience singalong:
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb;
Very God, Begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;
Glory to God in the highest;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born on Christmas morning,
Jesu, to Thee be glory giv’n;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Artist Biographies
Simon Halsey
LSO Choral Director
© Matthias Heyde
© Matthias Heyde
Simon Halsey occupies a unique position in classical music. He is the trusted advisor on choral singing to the world’s greatest conductors, orchestras and choruses, and also an ambassador for choral singing to amateurs of every age, ability and background. Making singing a central part of the world-class institutions with which he is associated, he has been instrumental in changing the level of symphonic singing across Europe.
He holds positions across the UK and Europe as Choral Director of the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; Chorus Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus; Artistic Director of Orfeó Català Choirs and Artistic Adviser of Palau de la Música, Barcelona; Artistic Director of the Berlin Philharmonic Youth Choral Programme; Director of the BBC Proms Youth Choir; Artistic Advisor of Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival Choir; Conductor Laureate of the Rundfunkchor Berlin and Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Birmingham.
Halsey’s numerous awards include three Grammys for his recordings with the Rundfunkchor Berlin. He was made Commander of the British Empire in 2015, was awarded The Queen’s Medal for Music in 2014, and received the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2011 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to choral music in Germany.
Born in London, Simon Halsey sang in the choirs of New College, Oxford, and of King’s College, Cambridge and studied conducting at the Royal College of Music.
Abigail Kelly
soprano
Born and raised in Birmingham, Abigail studied at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating with a first class honours degree before continuing her studies at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire of Scotland.
Abigail’s operatic roles include Pamina in Mozart's The Magic Flute (OperaUpClose) and Ninetta in Rossini's La gazza ladra (Midland Opera). With English Touring Opera Abigail has performed a variety of roles including Susanna, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, First Boy in The Magic Flute, Despina in Mozart's Così fan tutte, Fido in Britten's Paul Bunyan, Naiad in Dvořák's Rusalka and Cobweb in Britten's A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Abigail enjoys performing in operas written for children and audiences with special educational needs and disabilities, including the award-winning Laika the Spacedog by Russell Hepplewhite and Tim Yealland.
As a workshop leader Abigail facilitates workshops in conjunction with Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Youth Opera, Birmingham Opera Company, English National Opera, English Touring Opera, Streetwise Opera and the Royal Opera House.
Abigail’s online performances this year include an operatic recital aimed for younger audiences for the Royal Albert Hall as part of their Royal Albert Home series and Shh! we have a plan, an operatic version of the children’s book by Chris Haughton with music by composer Noah Moseley. Forthcoming online performances include the role of Sammy in Sammy and the Beanstalk, a modern fairytale for OperaUpClose written by Robin Norton-Hale with music by Rosabella Gregory, and a performance project titled UNSEEN, commissioned by Streetwise Opera with music by John Barber in collaboration with Streetwise Opera performers from across the UK.
Rodney Earl Clarke
bass-baritone
Hailed by Gramophone as a 'singer to be watched', Rodney Earl Clarke is recognised for his versatility in performance. At home with opera and the music of 1930–60s Broadway, Rodney has appeared in many shows including Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall, Jude Kelly's award winning production of Bernstein's On the Town, Kenneth Branagh's epic film version of Mozart's The Magic Flute, Sondheim’s 80th Birthday Celebration Prom, The Broadway Sound BBC Prom with the John Wilson Orchestra, Jake in Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle and Crown in Porgy & Bess under the direction of John Doyle with the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen. He performs regularly with major orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of Accademia di Santa Cecilia Rome, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Hallé and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His debut album Glorious Quest received critical acclaim featuring songs from the golden age of Broadway musicals accompanied by pianist Christopher Gould.
Rodney also works as a presenter for television and as a host for award ceremonies and concerts. He is a voice coach for singers and also uses his experience as a stutterer to assist others in their fluency in his course Singing Speaking. Rodney is an elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for his services and contributions to the music industry.
About the London Symphony Chorus
The London Symphony Chorus was formed in 1966 to complement the work of the London Symphony Orchestra and is renowned internationally for its concerts and recordings with the Orchestra. Their partnership was strengthened in 2012 with the appointment of Simon Halsey as joint Chorus Director of the LSC and Choral Director for the LSO, and the Chorus now plays a major role in furthering the vision of LSO Sing, which also encompasses the LSO Community Choir, LSO Discovery Choirs for young people and Singing Days at LSO St Luke’s.
The LSC has worked with many leading international conductors and other major orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the European Union Youth Orchestra. It has also toured extensively in Europe and has visited the US, Israel, Australia and south-east Asia.
The partnership between the LSC and LSO, particularly under Richard Hickox in the 1980s and 1990s, and later with Sir Colin Davis, led to its large catalogue of recordings, which have won numerous awards, including five Grammys. Gramophone included the recordings of Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust and Romeo and Juliet on LSO Live with Sir Colin Davis as two of the ‘Top 10’ Berlioz recordings. Recent LSO Live recordings with the Chorus include Bernstein’s Wonderful Town and Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust, both with Sir Simon Rattle.
The Chorus is an independent charity run by its members. It is committed to excellence, to the development of its members, to diversity and engaging in the musical life of London, to commissioning and performing new works, and to supporting the musicians of tomorrow. For more information, please visit lsc.org.uk.
Sopranos
Frankie Arnull
Anna Byrne-Smith
Carol Capper
Anjali Christopher
Shelagh Connolly
Ellisse Dixon
Katherine Elliot
Alice Jones
Jane Morley
Emily Norton
Gill O'Neil
Maggie Owen
Carole Radford
Liz Reeve
Liv Tait
Lizzie Webb
Hannah Wilkes
Liv Wilkinson
Rachel Wilson
Altos
Ayesha Akkari
Lauren Au
Jo Buchan
Sheila Coburne
Maggie Donnelly
Linda Evans
Emma Fox
Amanda Freshwater
Joanna Gill
Edda Hendry
Catherine Hulme
Lis Iles
Jill Jones
Gilly Lawson
Anne Loveluck
Siu-Wai Ng
Helen Palmer
Lucy Reay
Lis Smith
Linda Thomas
Rafaella Tripalo
Snezhny Valcheva
Tenors
Paul Allatt
Erik Azzopardi
Philipp Boeing
Peter Bridgwood
Oliver Burrows
Matt Fernando
Patrizio Giovannotti
Alastair Mathews
Daniel Owers
Davide Prezzi
Mattia Romani
Peter Sedgwick
Malcolm Taylor
James Warbis
Robert Ward
Basses
Gavin Buchan
Matt Clarke
Ian Fletcher
John Graham
Owen Hanmer
J-C Higgins
Alex Hunt
Peter Kellett
George Marshall
Hugh McLeod
James Nageotte
Jamie Patrick
Jesus Sanchez
Greg Storken
Accompanist
Benjamin Frost
About the London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is built on the belief that extraordinary music should be available to everyone, everywhere. From orchestral fans in the concert hall to first-time listeners across the UK, Europe and the world.
The London Symphony Orchestra was established in 1904, as one of the first orchestras shaped by its musicians. Since then, generations of remarkable talents have built the LSO’s reputation for uncompromising quality, and inspirational repertoires.
Today, the LSO is ranked among the world’s top orchestras, with a family of artists that includes Music Director Sir Simon Rattle, Principal Guest Conductors Gianandrea Noseda and François-Xavier Roth, and Conductor Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas.
The LSO is Resident Orchestra at the Barbican in the City of London, and also reaches international audiences through touring, artistic residencies and digital partnerships, including with Aix-en-Provence, the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, and global broadcasters.
Through a world-leading education and community programme, LSO Discovery, the LSO connects people from all walks of life to the power of great music. Based at LSO St Luke’s, the Orchestra’s community and music education centre and a leading performance venue on Old Street, LSO Discovery’s reach extends across East London, the UK and the world.
In 1999, the LSO formed its own recording label, LSO Live, and revolutionised how live orchestral music is recorded, with over 150 recordings released so far. Overall, the LSO has made more recordings than any other orchestra.
Leader
Roman Simovic
First Violins
Clare Duckworth
Ginette Decuyper
Laura Dixon
Maxine Kwok
William Melvin
Claire Parfitt
Elizabeth Pigram
Laurent Quénelle
Harriet Rayfield
Second Violins
David Alberman
Thomas Norris
Sarah Quinn
Miya Väisänen
Matthew Gardner
Naoko Keatley
Alix Lagasse
Belinda McFarlane
Iwona Muszynska
Csilla Pogany
Andrew Pollock
Paul Robson
Violas
Gillianne Haddow
Malcolm Johnston
Stephen Doman
Carol Ella
Julia O'Riordan
Robert Turner
Cellos
Rebecca Gilliver
Alastair Blayden
Daniel Gardner
Hilary Jones
Amanda Truelove
Double Basses
Colin Paris
Matthew Gibson
Thomas Goodman
Jani Pensola
Flutes
Gareth Davies
Patricia Moynihan
Piccolo
Sharon Williams
Oboes
Juliana Koch
Rosie Jenkins
Clarinets
Chris Richards
Chi-Yu Mo
Bassoon
Rachel Gough
Dominic Tyler
Horns
Timothy Jones
Angela Barnes
Alexander Edmundson
Finlay Bain
Trumpets
Jason Evans
Kaitlin Wild
Niall Keatley
Matthew Williams
Trombones
Peter Moore
James Maynard
Bass Trombone
Paul Milner
Tuba
Ben Thomson
Timpani
Nigel Thomas
Percussion
Neil Percy
David Jackson
Tom Edwards
Jeremy Cornes
Harp
Bryn Lewis
Piano
Elizabeth Burley
Meet the Members of the LSO on our website.
Thank You for Watching
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