Seasonal Selections from Southern Sinfonia

By Julia Hudson 

We’re getting into the festive spirit here in the office, and we wanted to share our Christmassy music choices with you – be prepared for some surprises! 

Julia Hudson, Assistant General Manager 

As a singer, I have to try and narrow down beautiful choral pieces I’m lucky enough to sing every year. 

Cornelius ‘The Three Kings’ - Christmas is the time I secretly really wish I was a baritone, and this is one of the reasons why. A stunning solo line tells the journey of the Magi, above the chorale Von Himmel hoch ('How brightly shines the morning star'). It was originally composed as a solo song, and the version with which we are now familiar was made by Elgar's friend and collaborator, the organist Ivor Atkins. 

I would also choose D. Lavinio Virgili ‘Ninna Nanna Gesu Bambino’ - A little-known but beautiful carol with another gorgeous baritone solo, this Italian piece is a lullaby, rocking Jesus to sleep. 

Drew Steanson, Joint winner, Newbury Young Musician of the Year 2012 

I would choose Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, because Bach is just amazing and that piece is fantastic! You can catch Southern Sinfonia performing it for the second time this week with the Bath Minerva Choir in St Swithin’s Church, Bath. 

Kay Lawrence, Managing Director 

Kay has chosen a traditional yet beautiful carol – ‘Es ist ein Ros entsprungen’ (1599, Anonymous). An often-used Christmas text, it tells of the ‘spotless rose’, which represents Mary, or Jesus. ‘Its fairest bud unfolds to light/Amid the cold, cold winter/And in the dark midnight’. Its simple beauty means that it is a tune used in everything from Brahms chorale preludes to the film ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife’ (2009).  

Appropriately for this year given the composer’s sad death last month, Kay has also chosen a modern carol, Tavener’s ‘The Lamb’. Written for four part unaccompanied choir, the piece is a setting of the poem of the same name by William Blake. Bitonal in places and with an interesting interplay between the parts, this is indicative of Tavener’s work, described by John Rutter as capable of bringing “an audience to a deep silence." 

Chris Billingham, Social Media 

Using the same text, ‘Es ist ein Ros entsprungen’, ‘A Spotless Rose’ (Herbert Howells) is a piece that has always reminded me of Christmas, especially the beautiful spiritual side. For unaccompanied choir, the gentle rocking rhythms evoke a sense of tranquillity. 

James Chater, Intern 

I have chosen Corelli’s Concerto Grosso in G Minor Op. 6 No. 8, particularly the third and sixth movements, which are extremely peaceful. I played it at a Christmas concert at school and it was the only one during which it snowed; very atmospheric! 

The third movement begins at 4’45 in this recording. To me, this piece sounds like how Christmas probably was in the 17th Century - a lot more simple and a great deal less commercialised. It speaks to me of the real spirit of Christmas. Also, Holst’s ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’. again the simplicity thing; Holst's setting, "Cranham", is a hymn tune setting of the poem by Christina Rosetti. The hymn is titled after Cranham, Gloucestershire and was written for the English Hymnal of 1906. 

Natasha Wilson, Projects Manager and Southern Sinfonia oboe and cor anglais player 

[To demonstrate our team working closely in harmony…] 

I guess one of my favourites [also!] is the Corelli Concerto Grosso in G Minor Op. 6 No. 8 or the "Christmas Concerto". This evokes many childhood Christmas memories. I was always envious of school friends who got to play this at our school carol services in Salisbury Cathedral as it is a string piece, therefore no oboes! My favourite movements include the third movement, Adagio-Allegro-Adagio and the sixth movement, Pastorale ad lib; Largo. 

Emmanuel Bach, Joint winner, Newbury Young Musician of the Year 2012 

There are two pieces, popular especially at Christmas, that I particularly enjoy. One is a choral work by the American composer Morten Lauridsen, called 'O Magnum Mysterium'. It is an exceptionally beautiful and moving piece of music. 

The other is Corelli's 'Christmas' Concerto… 

[OK, this is getting silly now!] 

…I Iove the tranquil thoughtfulness of the Adagio, and the elegant dance and lightness of the Pastorale, juxtaposed with the sheer vitality of the fast sections, with their solo-tutti dialogues. It's wonderful music, and also a piece that I've enjoyed playing. 

[And just as I was contemplating a rethink of this entire blog post, our esteemed Leader lightens the tone…] 

Alexander Hohenthal, Leader, Southern Sinfonia 

It’s hard to pick just one! I could say all the carols we sing with our children from 1st December when the family is in a jolly Advent mood. For the quieter, maybe slightly melancholic moments I gravitate towards "God rest ye merry gentlemen"...by Mr. Bean

(Performance begins at 0.40)

To find out more about tomorrow's concert with Bath Minerva Choir in St. Swithin's Church, Bath, click here.

For more details about our work please visit our website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages! 

To donate to the Southern Sinfonia Typhoon Haiyan appeal and help save lives, please click here.