Christmas Oratorio

Orchestration: fl, 2tpt, hn, tbn, tba, timp, hp, org

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.

• 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