Table Of ContentENE, A NEW CHRISTMAS CAROL!
‘Singour specially commissioned pieceby Dobrinka Tabakova | A life inthe recordingstudio
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The story of the iconic
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carol service |
British composer.
Thea Musgrave at 90
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‘THis MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS
Richard Morrison
Chic and arate
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(Gece hire Lasoo 46
{eve an emotona reas be Page 32
Welcome
‘One way to keep tradition alive
isto keep changingit tSbeen
the task of Kings College's
director of musie Stephen
‘Cleobury to preserve the
essence ofthe Festival of Nine
Lesson and Carols but to ensure
thateach service remains
fresh. Which istrickierthan
itsounds.The opening carol,
closing voluntary and all readings are identical each
year organists/readers saddled with the responsibility of
keeping the ship sailing on smooth waters. But even the
‘most hardened of Nine Lessons veterans don't want the
‘music to slide far outside ther comfort zone ~ afterall,
part of Christmas magicisits evocation of childhood
‘memories, many of which retied up with specific carol
arrangements. And Daniel Hyde, Cleobury’s sucessor
from 2019, tells methat he’ already been begged not
to fiddle wth the descants. What to do? For the past
35 years, Cleobury'triumphant solution hasbeen to
‘commission anew carol each year (starting in 1983 with
Lennox Berkeleys In Wintertime. While some get all
excited about a John Lewis advertisement, must admit
that the annual unveiling of the mystery composers,
for me, one ofthe highlights of Christmas.
Inspired by the annual King’ commission, weve een
inviting composerssince 201 to pen youall carol. This
‘year, Dobrinka Tabakova has come up trumps witha
scintillating piece (p50) Let usknow how you get on!
Cheer Contr
iver Condy tor
Dubna Tasha
ee
Seat eng (
Paul Spicer
Jaton he dice
have mrten ha rey
‘Catatra repe ou or ein Page 50
‘Slnvsize nm omen nse ae Page 62
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Contents
CHRISTMAS 2018
FEATURES
30. The BBC Music Magazine festive quiz
32. Cover story: King's College Choir
Richard Morrison vit the Cambrge che ast
celebrates 100 years fits Nine Lessons and Carols
40 The BBC Music Magazine Interview
Composer Thea Masrave talks to Clemency Burton Hil
44 A little reading matter
‘We ead and rate em novels featuring rea ie
conposers, fom masterpieces to monstroiies
50 Good-will to men, and peace on Earth
DobrinkaTabokoa introduces her new carol writen
exclsively forthe readers of BBC Music Mogasine
54. Christmas, from swell to great
Paul Bey itroduces 12 essential festive organ works
58 A pianist’s paradise
(tier Cony spends a weekend honing hs keyboard
skillin the i surrounds of Finchcocks in Kent
EVERY MONTH
10 Letters
14 The Full Score
NC Radio? Young Chovistersofthe Year crowned
29. Richard Morrison
‘Why coolchoral arangementsarebest aloe
60. Musical Destinations
Jobn Evans heads to Kaohsiung City, Tainan
62 Composer of the Month
Herbert Howells is explored by Put Spicer
68 Building Library
‘The best ecordings of Beto’ Leone du Christ
112 Live events
Finda Christmas concert near you
115 Radio & TV listings
120 Crossword and quiz
122 Music that Changed Me
Howard Blake
wt
‘ ‘anditelevision
io
vies
Bas music
Christmas reviews
DYDs ane books
72 Recording of the Month
===> Johann Sebastian Bach
Fy 4. Vikingur Olafsson
‘mnermingling celebrated transcriptions
ith Boch original works, Olaison
{eats ravishing musi sequence
udio 10 Reviews index
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Letters
4 Have your say...
Write to: The editor, BBC Music Ma
Email: [email protected]
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