Christmas is that time of year when we all enjoy the wonderful carols that we hear in concerts and carol services.  Many of these carols go back centuries and come from different countries, and it is the arrangements that so often enhance the familiar melodies that are enjoyed on radio and television, and in concert halls, churches, churches, cathedrals and schools.

Since the early 60s, the name of David Willcocks has been synonymous with Christmas carols.  His iconic descants for O Come, All Ye Faithful, Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing, and Once in Royal David's city along with many others have reached across the world, firstly through the annual broadcast of the Festival Of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Chapel, Cambridge, and secondly in numerous recordings.  In addition, his wonderful arrangements of Away In A Manger, Infant Holy, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, to mention but a few, have become favourites with choirs throughout the world.

Contents

1. O come, all ye faithful (J.F.Wade, arr. David Willcocks) [4.05]
2. Of the Father’s heart begotten (Piae Cantiones, arr. David Willcocks) [4.34]
3. A child is born in Bethlehem (Scheidt, ed. David Willcocks) [2.39]
4. Sans Day Carol (Cornish trad., arr. John Rutter) [3.08]
5. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day (English trad., arr. David Willcocks) [1.55]
6. Once in royal David’s city (H.J. Gauntlett, arr. David Willcocks) [4.36]
7. Infant holy, Infant lowly (Polish trad., arr. David Willcocks) [1.59]
8. Hark! the herald-angels sing (Mendelssohn, arr. David Willcocks) [3.16]
9. Away in a manger (W.J. Kirkpatrick, arr. David Willcocks) [2.12]
10. Ding dong! merrily on high (16th century French, arr. David Willcocks) [2.22]
11. Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing? (French trad., arr. David Willcocks) [2.57]
12. God rest you merry, gentlemen (English trad., arr. David Willcocks) [3.33]
13. This endris night (15th century English, adapted Z. Randall Stroope) WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING [4.05]
14. The First Nowell (English trad., arr. David Willcocks) [5.10]
15. Silent Night (F. Gruber, arr. Paul Leddington Wright) [3.13]
16. The Bell Carol (Philip Ledger) [1.44]
17. Unto us is born a Son (Piae Cantiones, arr. David Willcocks) [2.15]
18. Wassail (English trad., Jonathan Willcocks) WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING [2.25]
19. Jingle bells (J. Pierpont, arr. David Willcocks) [2.20]

TOTAL TIME [58.28]