Composer

:

Donald Fraser

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

5:47

This Christmastide is a choral work composed by Donald Fraser, a British composer and arranger. The piece was composed in 1977 and premiered in the same year by the choir of King's College, Cambridge. It is a four-movement work that is often performed during the Christmas season. The first movement of This Christmastide is titled "The Holly and the Ivy." It is a lively and joyful piece that features a bright melody and a driving rhythm. The choir sings about the traditional Christmas symbols of holly and ivy, and the music captures the festive spirit of the season. The second movement is titled "The Cherry Tree Carol." This movement is more contemplative and features a soloist singing the story of Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem. The choir provides a gentle accompaniment, and the music has a peaceful and reflective quality. The third movement is titled "The Shepherd's Farewell." This movement is a beautiful and tender piece that features the choir singing about the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus. The music is gentle and soothing, and it captures the sense of wonder and awe that the shepherds must have felt. The final movement of This Christmastide is titled "Sussex Carol." This movement is a lively and joyful piece that features a traditional English carol. The choir sings about the birth of Jesus, and the music captures the excitement and celebration of the season. Overall, This Christmastide is a beautiful and uplifting choral work that captures the spirit of the Christmas season. The music is joyful, contemplative, and tender, and it is a beloved piece that is often performed by choirs around the world.

More....