A SWEET CHRISTMAS

A BRIGHT, GENTLE CHRISTMAS SEASON BETWEEN SACRED AND TRADITIONAL MUSIC

Composition

8 or 12 a cappella singers

Style

Sacred and Profane Music

Conducting

Christopher Gibert

ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

When we think of Christmas and its songs, it's as if eternal melodies creep into our thoughts and warm our hearts, transporting us to a world of infinite artistic inspiration.

Let me guide you along one of the paths of Christmas, where light rises and sweetness hovers; because Christmas transcends the simple framework of a festival to become a moment of union, purity and felicity. It is in this spirit that I have shaped this programme, surrounded by melodies that warm hearts and spread joy. Mainly steeped in musical treasures from across the Channel, with pieces by Britten, Holst and Leighton, I invite you to discover works both famous and unusual. Christmas is also about the traditional carols we sing around the cot or with our families, a timeless tradition that lights up our hearts with its warm light. To this end, the Dulci Jubilo choir has commissioned new original arrangements, specially created by Franco-British conductor and composer Mark Opstad. These compositions highlight a varied selection of the most beautiful French Christmas carols.
It is with sweet joy that I invite you to take this journey towards the light of Christmas, bringing the hope we all so desperately need.

Christopher Gibert

PROGRAM DETAILS

CAROL OF THE BELLS

Bob CHILCOTT (1955- ) - Carol of the bells - 2'00

Pierre VILLETTE (1926-1998) - O Magnum mysterium- 4'00

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) - A Hymn to the Virgin - 4'00

Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929-1988) - Lully, lulla, thou little Tiny child - 3'00

Arvo PÄRT (1935-) - Bogoroditse Djevo - 1'30

Jonathan DOVE (1959- ) - The Three Kings - 5'00

THE FIRST NOWELL

Kerensa BRIGGS (1991- ) - A tender shoot - 2'30

Thomas OSPITAL (1990- ) - God rest you merry gentlemen - 3'00

Thierry ESCAICH (1965- ) - Entre le boeuf et l’âne gris - 2'30

Christopher GIBERT (1993- ) - The first Nowell - 3'00

Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929-1988) - The Star-song - 4'30

THERE IS NO ROSE

Jonathan RATHBONE (1957- ) - The Oxen - 3'00

Richard BENNETT (1936-2012) - Sweet was the song - 2'30

Mark OPSTAD (1978- ) - 3'30

Lèva-te vite, Betomieu
Quittez pasteurs

Andrew CARTER (1939- ) - There is no rose - 3'00

SILENT NIGHT

Jean-Philippe BILLMANN (1980- ) - Silent Night - 4'00

Mark OPSTAD (1978- ) - 6'00

Carillon de Noël
Lo jove pastre
Noël Nouvelet

Ola GJEILO (1978- ) - In the bleak midwinter - 5'00

Ben PARRY (1965- ) - Jingle bells - 3'00

Program duration : about 1h

Applause is suggested at the end of each of the four parts of the program.