Christmas Songs
Vlaams Radiokoor, Martina Batič
The Vlaams Radiokoor draws on the rich British tradition for the traditional Christmas concert. In the music by Jonathan Dove, John Taverner and Benjamin Britten, among others, we can experience the Christmas season, quite independently of belief, religion, convictions and rituals, as a moment that surpasses everything and everyone. We gather together, warm ourselves up with classic Christmas carols and by encountering each other, and wish each other, filled with hope: Merry Christmas to You.
A dark night, increasingly illuminated by twinkling stars, and then suddenly: light. Jonathan Dove provides a magical start to the concert. Next, John Tavener describes the wonder of the birth of Jesus on that special night, with an ode to Mary as universal mother.
The message of hope and peace contained in that birth was translated by the young Benjamin Britten into a clear and impressive Christ’s Nativity. Will Todd creates a moment of contemplation – after which we meet again around the crackling fire, with lovely traditional Christmas carols such as Jingle Bells, The Twelve Days of Christmas and Christmas Song: ‘although it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you…’.
Flagey, Vlaams Radiokoor
