Friday, December 17, 2010

The Friday Phonograph


'Tis the Season for Kings College Choir

by Anne French


Every year the Christmas season brings out the best (and sometimes the worst) in holiday music... from "Jingle Bells" to "The Messiah." But ever since my first encounter with Lessons and Carols from Kings College Choir, Cambridge, this choir and their music have become my benchmark for musical excellence and inspirational awe at this time of year. We are fortunate to have access to many of their recorded services available on YouTube, and I have chosen a lovely rendition of an old Basque carol (ca. 1582), "The Angel Gabriel," as this Friday's pick of the week. The words to the hymn are provided in the pulldown from the video on YouTube. Kings may be back on The Friday Phonograph next week, since it will be Christmas Eve and there is such a wealth of recordings available.

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