London Symphony Orchestra Living Music Sunday 13 December 2015 7pm Barbican Hall A CHORAL CHRISTMAS Simon Halsey conductor Di Sherlock presenter LSO Musicians London Symphony Chorus LSO Community Choir London’s Symphony Orchestra LSO Discovery Choirs Concert finishes approx 9pm LSO Sing is generously supported by Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary Settlement, Slaughter and May, the Rothschild Charities Committee and LSO Patrons 2 Welcome 13 December 2015 Welcome Living Music Kathryn McDowell In Brief Welcome to tonight’s concert, which brings together SINGING DAYS IN 2016 the massed choirs of the LSO for a Christmas celebration. The Barbican stage will be filled with The LSO’s Singing Days are a wonderful opportunity over 300 singers from the London Symphony Chorus, to meet new people, discover great music and LSO Community Choir and LSO Discovery Choirs, experience the joy of singing with others. Whether accompanied by an ensemble of LSO musicians you’re an experienced singer or just getting started, and introduced by presenter Di Sherlock. With there will be an event for you in 2016, from the chance Simon Halsey, the LSO and LSC’s Choral Director, to get to know Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius better conducting, they will take us through an evening (23 Jan) to a day of singing great jazz arrangements of festive choral works, both old and new, including (14 May). Visit our website for full details. some favourite carols for everyone to join in with. lso.co.uk/singing-days A Choral Christmas is part of LSO Sing, which aims to bring great choral music to as many people in London as possible, inside and outside the concert hall. In 2016 CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM THE LSO there will be a variety of opportunities to be involved, whether that’s through hearing the LSC perform with Share the LSO with your friends and family this the Orchestra in the Barbican or by taking part in one Christmas. Visit the LSO Live store on our website of our popular Singing Days at LSO St Luke’s. to browse through the catalogue and choose from one of our special Christmas offers, purchase LSO I would like to thank those who support LSO Sing and Friends membership as a gift, or phone the Barbican all of our singing activities: Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Box Office on 020 7638 8891 to buy gift vouchers. Voluntary Settlement, Slaughter and May, the Rothschild Charities Committee and our LSO Patrons. lsolive.lso.co.uk Thanks also go to our media partner Classic FM, who lso.co.uk/friends have recommended the concert to their listeners. The LSO’s final performance before Christmas takes A WARM WELCOME TO TONIGHT’S GROUPS place on Wednesday 16 December. If you cannot join us, I wish you a very happy Christmas and look The LSO offers great benefits for groups of 10+, forward to welcoming you back to a concert in 2016. including 20% discount on standard tickets. Tonight we are delighted to welcome: Farnham U3A Concert Club National Trust Orpington & Chislehurst The Crown & Manor Association Lynda Wright & Friends Kathryn McDowell CBE DL Managing Director lso.co.uk/groups lso.co.uk Tonight’s Programme 3 A Choral Christmas Tonight’s Programme SIMON HALSEY CONDUCTOR 3 As they offered gifts most rare DI SHERLOCK PRESENTER At that manger rude and bare, LSO MUSICIANS So may we with holy joy, LONDON SYMPHONY CHORUS Pure, and free from sin’s alloy, LSO COMMUNITY CHOIR All our costliest treasures bring, LSO DISCOVERY CHOIRS Christ, to thee our heavenly King. DAVID LAWRENCE CONDUCTOR, LSO COMMUNITY CHOIR & LSO DISCOVERY SENIOR CHOIR 4 Holy Jesu, every day LUCY GRIFFITHS Keep us in the narrow way; CONDUCTOR, LSO DISCOVERY JUNIOR CHOIR And, when earthly things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last CARILLON ON ‘ANGELUS AD VIRGINEM’ Chorus / All Where they need no star to guide, DARIUS BATTIWALLA Where no clouds thy glory hide. INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES 5 In the heav’nly country bright A BABE IS BORN Chorus Need they no created light; WILLIAM MATHIAS Thou its light, its joy, its crown, Thou its sun which goes not down: THIS IS THE TRUTH Chorus There for ever may we sing LOUIS HALSEY Alleluyas to our King. INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES BLOW, BLOW THOU WINTER WIND Community Choir AUDIENCE CAROL: AS WITH GLADNESS, MEN OF OLD All JOHN RUTTER CONRAD KOCHER, arr DAVID WILLCOCKS INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES STAR OF THE EAST Chorus 1 As with gladness, men of old GORDON THORNETT Did the guiding star behold, INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY GORDON THORNETT As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright, CAROL FOR THE KING Chorus So, most gracious God, may we MACK WILBERG Evermore be led to thee. INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES 2 As with joyful steps they sped SONG OF ANGELS Discovery Choirs To that lowly manger bed, REBECCA LAWRENCE, arr DAVID LAWRENCE There to bend the knee before INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY DAVID LAWRENCE Him whom heaven and earth adore, So may we with willing feet Ever seek thy mercy-seat. 4 Tonight’s Programme 13 December 2015 A Choral Christmas Tonight’s Programme continued … AUDIENCE CAROL: HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING All JINGLE BELLS Chorus FELIX MENDELSSOHN, arr DAVID WILLCOCKS JAMES LORD PIERPONT, arr DAVID WILLCOCKS INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES 1 Hark! the herald angels sing DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH Chorus Glory to the newborn King; TRADITIONAL CAROL, arr BOB CHILCOTT Peace on earth and mercy mild, INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES God and sinners reconciled: Joyful all ye nations rise, SUSSEX CAROL Discovery Senior Choir Join the triumph of the skies, TRADITIONAL CAROL, arr BOB CHILCOTT With th’angelic host proclaim: INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! the herald angels sing AUDIENCE CAROL: GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMEN All Glory to the newborn King. TRADITIONAL CAROL, arr DAVID WILLCOCKS INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES 2 Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, 1 God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Late in time behold Him come Let nothing you dismay, Offspring of a Virgin’s womb: For Jesus Christ our Saviour Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Was born upon this day, Hail th’incarnate Deity! To save us all from Satan’s power Pleased as man with man to dwell, When we were gone astray: Jesus, our Emmanuel. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, Hark! the herald angels sing O tidings of comfort and joy. Glory to the newborn King. 2 From God our heav’nly Father 3 Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! A blessèd Angel came, Hail the Sun of Righteousness! And unto certain shepherds Light and life to all He brings, Brought tidings of the same, Ris’n with healing in His wings; How that in Bethlehem was born Mild He lays His glory by, The Son of God by Name: Born that man no more may die, O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, Born to raise the sons of earth, O tidings of comfort and joy. Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King. INTERVAL – 20 minutes lso.co.uk Tonight’s Programme 5 3 The shepherds at those tidings AUDIENCE CAROL: O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL All Rejoicèd much in mind, JOHN FRANCIS WADE, arr DAVID WILLCOCKS And left their flocks a-feeding INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES In tempest, storm and wind, And went to Bethlehem straightway 1 O come, all ye faithful, This blessèd babe to find: Joyful and triumphant, O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. O tidings of comfort and joy. Come and behold Him, Born the King of angels; 4 But when to Bethlehem they came O come, let us adore Him, Whereat this infant lay, O come, let us adore Him, They found Him in a manger, O come, let us adore Him, Where oxen feed on hay; Christ the Lord. His Mother Mary kneeling, Unto the Lord did pray: 2 God of God, O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, Light of Light, O tidings of comfort and joy. Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb. Very God, 5 Now to the Lord sing praises, Begotten not created. All you within this place, O come, etc And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; 3 Sing, choirs of angels, This holy tide of Christmas Sing in exultation, All others doth deface: Sing all ye citizens of heav’n above; O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, Glory to God O tidings of comfort and joy. In the highest. O come, etc THIS ENDRIS NIGHT Community Choir Z RANDALL STROOPE 4 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES Born on Christmas morning; Jesus, to Thee be glory giv’n. PABLO THE REINDEER Discovery Junior Choir Word of the Father, GEORGE LOVERING now in flesh appearing; INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT BY MATTHEW FORBES O come, etc CHICHESTER PSALMS: FIRST MOVEMENT Chorus LEONARD BERNSTEIN 6 Artist Biographies 13 December 2015 Simon Halsey Conductor Simon Halsey is a sought-after conductor of choral ensemble in his new position of Conductor Laureate. repertoire at the very highest level and an ambassador As Artistic Director of the Berlin Philharmonic’s Youth for choral singing across the world. Halsey is the Choral Programme Vokalhelden (Vocal Heroes), Chorus Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Halsey leads a long-term education and performance Orchestra Choruses, and the Choral Director of the project that brings together children from diverse London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.