Composer

:

Kenneth Leighton

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Carol

Compose Date

:

before 1550

Average_duration

:

3:04

The "Coventry Carol" is a traditional English Christmas carol that dates back to the 16th century. It tells the story of the Massacre of the Innocents, which is described in the Gospel of Matthew. The carol was first published in 1591 in a collection of songs called "Piae Cantiones." In 1948, the British composer Kenneth Leighton arranged the "Coventry Carol" for SATB choir and organ. Leighton's arrangement is in three movements, each of which is based on a different verse of the carol. The first movement is a gentle lullaby that sets the scene for the story of the carol. The second movement is more dramatic, with the choir singing in a minor key to depict the horror of the massacre. The third movement returns to the gentle lullaby of the first movement, but with a sense of sadness and mourning. Leighton's arrangement of the "Coventry Carol" is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and unease. The use of the organ adds to the drama of the piece, with the instrument providing a rich and powerful accompaniment to the choir. The premiere of Leighton's arrangement of the "Coventry Carol" took place in 1948 at St. John's College, Cambridge. Since then, it has become a popular piece for choirs to perform during the Christmas season.

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