Advent service from Great Britain. Twelve professional singers interpret Advent and Christmas music both a capella and with accompaniment. The music is directed by David Christie, assisted by Nicola Cittadin (organ).
The “Nine lessons and carols” service weaves music and text together. Members of the Church, from young to old, read nine bible readings telling the Christmas story. Carols and Christmas music from five centuries in Latin, German, and Old and Modern English, are interspersed. This pre-Christmas gift delightfully combines the Swiss and British cultures, bringing professionals and amateurs together, fully in the spirit of Christmas cheer.
Programme
| Organ | Einklang: In dulci jubilo | |
| Introductory words followed by the Lord’s Prayer | ||
| Carol | In dulci jubilo [+] | arr. Westbrook and Pearsall |
| 1st Lesson | Genesis iii 8-15 | God declares his judgement |
| Carol | Torches [*] | John Joubert (*1927) |
| 2nd Lesson | Isaiah ix 2,6-7 | Isaiah announces the coming king |
| Hymn | „O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf“ | KGB 361 |
| Carol | Make we joy now in this fest [*] | William Walton (1902 − 1983) |
| 3rd Lesson | Micah v 2-5 | God promises a ruler from Bethlehem |
| Carols | Coventry Carol [+] | Kenneth Leighton |
| Susanni [+] | Richard Rodney Bennett | |
| 4th Lesson | Luke i 26-33,38 | The angel comes to Mary |
| Carols | A Hymn to the Virgin+ | Benjamin Britten |
| There is no rose of such virtu [+] | John Joubert | |
| 5th Lesson | Matthew i 18-25 | God’s purpose is explained to Joseph |
| Carol | In the bleak mid-winter [*] | Christina Rossetti (1830 − 1894) / Harold Darke (1888 − 1976) |
| 6th Lesson | Luke ii 1-7 | Jesus is born |
| Carol | A spotless rose [*] | Herbert Howells (1892 − 1983) |
| 7th Lesson | Luke ii 8-16 | The shepherds go to the stable |
| Carol | Riu, riu, chiu [+] | Trad. |
| 8th Lesson | Matthew ii 1-2,7-11 | Travellers come from the east |
| Carol | No small wonder [++] | Paul Edwards |
| Hymn | „Macht hoch die Tür“ | KGB 363 |
| 9th Lesson | John i 1-14 | The Word becomes flesh |
| Carol | Sir Christèmas [+] | William Mathias |
| Prayers and Blessing | ||
| Choir | We wish you a Merry Christmas [*] | Trad. |
The MP3 files on this page recorded live [*] in the Reformed Church Hinwil on 4th December 2005, [+] in the Reformed Church, Hinwil on 7th December 2008, and [++] in St. Andrews Church, Zürich on 12th December 2008 © musicmakers