Composer

:

Hubert Parry

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:41

"When Christ was born of Mary free" is a Christmas carol composed by Hubert Parry in 1912. The carol is set to a traditional English folk melody and features four movements. The first movement begins with a solo voice singing the opening line, "When Christ was born of Mary free." The choir then joins in, singing the first verse in unison. The second verse is sung by the choir in four-part harmony, with the melody carried by the sopranos. The movement ends with a repeat of the first verse, sung by the choir in unison. The second movement features a solo voice singing the third verse, "In Bethlehem in that fair city." The choir then joins in, singing the verse in four-part harmony. The third verse is sung by the choir in unison, with the melody carried by the altos. The movement ends with a repeat of the third verse, sung by the choir in unison. The third movement begins with a solo voice singing the fourth verse, "The ox and ass that stood thereby." The choir then joins in, singing the verse in four-part harmony. The fifth verse is sung by the choir in unison, with the melody carried by the tenors. The movement ends with a repeat of the fourth verse, sung by the choir in unison. The fourth movement features a solo voice singing the final verse, "Nowell, nowell, nowell, this is the salutation." The choir then joins in, singing the verse in four-part harmony. The movement ends with a repeat of the final verse, sung by the choir in unison. The carol is characterized by its simple, yet beautiful melody and harmonies. Parry's use of solo voices and unison singing adds to the carol's intimate and reflective nature. "When Christ was born of Mary free" premiered in 1912 and has since become a beloved Christmas carol, often performed in churches and concert halls around the world.

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