Christmas Oratorio

Vocal score on hire

Forces or Category: SATB and soloists (mezzo-soprano, tenor, and bass), with small ensemble (fl, brass, org, timp, hp)

Orchestration: brass, organ, timps, fl, and harp

A compelling retelling of the Christmas story
Words from the Gospels of St Luke and St Matthew intertwined with a diverse selection of sixteenth- to nineteenth-century poetry
Four well-known hymns with original melodies for audience or congregation to join in with the choir
Tenor soloist assumes the role of Evangelist, with focal points such as the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis taken by mezzo-soprano and bass soloists
Two poignant unaccompanied movements for the chorus, who also assume small character roles
Sensitive orchestration that enriches the characterization

Christmas Oratorio

Vocal score on hire

Description

for SATB and soloists (M-S, T, & B), with organ and flute or small ensemble
With this majestic work Chilcott takes on a landmark of the choral repertory, the Christmas Oratorio. Words from St Luke and St Matthew are intertwined with 16th-19th-century poetry to create a compelling retelling of the Christmas story. Five hymn texts are set to new, original melodies that take their place among the season's tradition of great hymnody and enable the audience or congregation to join in with the choir. As in the St John Passion, much of the narrative is presented by a tenor soloist in the role of Evangelist, with focal points such as the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis and Rossetti's 'Love came down at Christmas' taken by mezzo-soprano and bass soloists. The chorus is integral to the storytelling, assuming small character roles and taking centre stage in two unaccompanied movements. A solo flute characterizes the angels, and the mellow tones of the brass ensemble evoke a sense of festive tradition.

Christmas Oratorio

Vocal score on hire

Bob Chilcott

Composer Information

Bob Chilcott (b.1955)

Bob Chilcott has become one of the world's most widely performed composers and arrangers of choral music. His compositional output reflects his wide taste in music styles and his commitment to writing music that is both singable and communicative. He has been involved in choral music most of his life he was a chorister and then a choral scholar in the choir of King's College, Cambridge, and was a member of the British vocal group The King's Singers for whom he made a number of popular arrangements of well-known songs from all genres. As well as being a full-time composer he is also a highly acclaimed choral conductor. He has been privileged to conduct many choirs all over the world. He is Principal Guest Conductor of The BBC Singers and in 2019 he was appointed Principal Conductor of Birmingham University Singers. His music has been widely recorded by many choirs and groups including The King's Singers, Tenebrae, and The BBC Singers.

Bob Chilcott's website