Composer

:

John Linton Gardner

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

2:21

"The Holly and the Ivy" is a Christmas carol composed by John Linton Gardner in 1952. It was first performed by the choir of St. Paul's Girls' School in London in December of that year. The carol is written for SATB choir and features four movements. The first movement, "The Holly and the Ivy," is a lively and joyful setting of the traditional English carol. The choir sings the melody in unison, with the other voices providing harmonies and counterpoint. The accompaniment is light and rhythmic, featuring a playful interplay between the piano and the choir. The second movement, "The Cherry Tree Carol," is a more contemplative setting of the traditional ballad. The choir sings the story of Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem, with the cherry tree providing shelter and comfort along the way. The harmonies are rich and complex, with the piano providing a gentle accompaniment. The third movement, "The Coventry Carol," is a haunting and mournful setting of the traditional English carol. The choir sings the story of the massacre of the innocents, with the mothers of Bethlehem weeping for their children. The harmonies are dissonant and unsettling, with the piano providing a sparse and eerie accompaniment. The final movement, "The Sussex Carol," is a joyful and triumphant setting of the traditional English carol. The choir sings the story of the birth of Jesus, with the angels singing and the shepherds rejoicing. The harmonies are bright and exuberant, with the piano providing a lively accompaniment. Overall, "The Holly and the Ivy" is a beautiful and varied Christmas carol that showcases John Linton Gardner's skill as a composer. The four movements provide a range of moods and emotions, from joy and celebration to contemplation and mourning. The carol has become a beloved part of the Christmas repertoire and is frequently performed by choirs around the world.

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