Sydney Philharmonia Carols at the House 2014

CHORAL SINGING / Sydney Philharmonia Choirs







Carols at the House 2014 presented by the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs comprises a 500-strong choir and orchestra singing favourites such as The Twelve Days of Christmas, Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and other well-known festive carols. 

Opera star Emma Matthews joins the Christmas choir to perform songs including "Abigail's Song" from Doctor Who, "Let the Bright Seraphim" and "Ave Maria" - and your Christmas won't be complete without Dr Seuss' The Grinch, read by distinguished actor John Bell. 


The performances feature the music of renowned American choral composer Robert Shaw, arranged by himself and Robert Russell Bennett. His beautiful, heartwarming Christmas compositions in four suites, The Many Moods of Christmas, are sung by Christmas choirs around the world.





PROGRAMME:

. Christmas Overture  Nigel Hess
. The Many Moods of Christmas Suite 1
. How the Grinch Stole Christmas Doctor Seuss, Read by John Bell
. The Three Drovers and Christmas Bush for His Adorning from "Australian Christmas Carols" John Wheeler and William G. James 
. Let the Bright Seraphim from Samson George Frideric Handel 
. Concerto Grosso No. 8 "Christmas Concerto" Arcangelo Corelli
. The Silver Stars are in the Sky and Carol of the Birds from "Australian Christmas Carols" John Wheeler and William G. James 
. A Christmas Carol and Sketches by Boz Charles Dickens, Read by John Bell
. Es ist ein Ros entsprungen Michael Praetorius and Jan Sandstrom
. Ave Maria J.S. Bach and Charles Gounod
. The Many Moods of Christmas  Suite 3

Interval

. Sleigh Ride Leroy Anderson
. Abigail's Song Murray Gold, Orchestration by Ben Foster  (from Doctor Who, A Christmas Carol)

. The Many Moods of Christmas Suite 2
. The Steward of Christendom Sebastian Barry, Read by John Bell 
. "Chi il bel Sogno" from La Rondine Giacomo Puccini
. The Many Moods of Christmas Suite 4
. Ye Great Astonishment Anon., 14th Century, Read by John Bell
. The Twelve Days of Christmas Traditional arr. Douglas Gamley
. White Christmas Irving Berlin arr. John Mozz
. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane arr. John Whitney
. O Come All Ye Faithful Traditional arr. David Willcocks

 Approximate Duration:  First half - 60 minutes; 20 minute interval; Second half - 60 minutes


ARTISTS:

Actor: John Bell
Soprano: Emma Matthews
Conductor: Brett Weymark 
Guest Director and Writer: Stuart Maunder

Sydney Philharmonia Choir, VOX & Festival Chorus
Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra

Saturday 6 December, 2:00PM
Sunday 7 December, 5:00PM 
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House


Happy Christmas one and all! Season's cheers! 


Performance Review: 

Review from The Daily Telegraph by Steve Moffatt. "Concert review: Sydney Philharmonia Choirs celebrate the many moods of Christmas."  Accessed December 10, 2014. 

Suggested Listening Pleasures:

 

Australian Christmas Carols. YouTube, uploaded by Miss Pryntte. Accessed December 26, 2020. (Sets 1 & 2 of the Australian Christmas Carols by William G James & John Wheeler. Recorded in Elder Hall, Adelaide by the ABC Adelaide Singers. A long time customer at Fine Music Australia told me that her husband was one of the singers. At the time Norman Chinner was the conductor. William James was recording producer but took over the conducting for this Columbia 10" LP. The organist is James Govenlock playing the JE Dodd organ.) 

 

 

Katherine Jenkins sings Abigail's Song (Silence is all you Know).
Song from Doctor Who Christmas Special 2010, A Christmas Carol.
Lyrics by Murray Gold. Uploaded by Ilenia83. Accessed Dec 6, 2014.

Resource:

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.  Available at the time of posting. December 6, 2014.
Carols at the House program available during the 2-day performance.  



(c) December 2014. Updated December 26, 2020. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.