I love this carol from verse 2 onwards. Verse 1 can be parodied as a picture of the modern church celebrating Christmas - " In the bleak midwinter, frosty voices moaned. Hearts were hard as iron, everyone got stoned. Slush was preached in frosty tones, sentimental slush. When prayer was called came silence. What a hush!" But then God breaks in from verse 2 . I guess it serves to remind of the difference between God's gift and human response. It leaves me asking how we can really honour God at Christmas despite our celebrations.
This is an excellent version, but in my opinion an earlier recording in Ely Cathedral of Darke’s setting by John Rutter with the choir of Clare College, Cambridge is preferable. The orchestral arrangement is similar but the bleakness of winter reverberating around the vaults of this monumental building just gives it that atmospheric edge. It was originally recorded as part of ‘The Holly & the Ivy, Carols from Clare’ which has now been rebadged as ‘John Rutter: The Christmas Album.’
IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS VERSION FOR YEARS OMG
Beautiful! Always leaves me thinking which one is more beautiful, Darke's or Holst's version. Now its Darke.
Darke was a Master of harmony & voicing.
I love this carol from verse 2 onwards.
Verse 1 can be parodied as a picture of the modern church celebrating Christmas -
" In the bleak midwinter, frosty voices moaned.
Hearts were hard as iron, everyone got stoned.
Slush was preached in frosty tones, sentimental slush.
When prayer was called came silence.
What a hush!"
But then God breaks in from verse 2 .
I guess it serves to remind of the difference between God's gift and human response. It leaves me asking how we can really honour God at Christmas despite our celebrations.
This is an excellent version, but in my opinion an earlier recording in Ely Cathedral of Darke’s setting by John Rutter with the choir of Clare College, Cambridge is preferable. The orchestral arrangement is similar but the bleakness of winter reverberating around the vaults of this monumental building just gives it that atmospheric edge. It was originally recorded as part of ‘The Holly & the Ivy, Carols from Clare’ which has now been rebadged as ‘John Rutter: The Christmas Album.’
The other is a nice version, but the way the Cambridge singers hold and fade the long notes on thus recording.... 🥰
2:08
Superb singing and playing here! But isn't the acoustic a bit dry for this gorgeous carol?
You have a valid point. And in that. I don't disagree. But in chapel, church, abbey or cathedral.