The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

By: William P. Edwards

Book Overview

First aired in 1918, it is broadcast annually by BBC Radio direct from King's College Chapel in Cambridge and carried in the United States by NPR. Many have organized their holiday festivities to be part of the audience for this very special performance.With beautiful illustrations of details from illuminated manuscripts, photographs, and paintings appropriate to the season, this elegant volume is a wonderful companion to this unique Christmas celebration. It is packaged with a CD of a slightly abridged version of a service that includes a dozen carols, including "Once in Royal David's City," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Good King Wenceslas," "Silent Night, Holy Night," and "In Dulci Jubilo," all sung by the internationally renowned boy's and men's choir of King's College. In addition to following the complete festival in sequence, the book contains a history of the service and of King's College's choir, what the service means today, and the origins and history of the hymns and carols. A keepsake that families will cherish, the book is a romantic and religious departure from the modern world, a glorious affirmation that Christmas has arrived.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0789315815
• ISBN13: 9780789315816
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Rizzoli Universe Promotional Books
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.5" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

a voice teacher and an early music fan

THE FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS AS CELEBRATED ON CHRISTMAS EVE (DECEMBER,1998) IN THE CHAPEL OF KING'S COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE. For over seventy-five years, millions of listeners around the world have made the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, broadcast live from King's College Chapel in England, and integral part of their Christmas celebrations. An inspiring event, the service incorporates nine lessons from scripture with the singing of some of the most beloved Christmas carols and hymns of all time, including such classics as 'Hark! the Herald Angels Sing', 'It Came Upon A Midnight Clear','Joy to the World', 'O Come All Ye faithful', and 'Silent Night'. The Festival is brought to life in this beautifully illustrated volume, which presents the full text of lessons and prayers as well as the carols, accompanied by evocative background and historical information and a compact disc that includes the December, 1998, Christmas Eve Service under the direction of Stephen Cleobury. I have reviewed this disc under King's college Choir listings. Magnificent illustrations and photographs-both of a religious and secular nature-accompany the text, which also includes a history of Christmas carols and a compendium of these songs accompanied by background about their origins, authors, composers, and translaters. I was most interested in the prologue written by Stephen Cleobury, director of the King's College Choir since 1983. Wherever one is in the world on Christmas Eve, this book and its disc can bring together the moment, in the fading light of a cold December day, when the candlelit, ancient chapel glows with the joy of Christmas. I have not personally missed listening to this incredibly touching service for the past twenty years!!!

Excellent

Excellent product. The back cover has really good music CD. Well packed. I recommend.

Beautiful Christmas Story with CD

Every Christmas Eve the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is sung live from King's College Chapel in England. The service is heard all over the world by millions. Author William Edwards has created a stunning book filled with many color pictures of the chapel, the choir, religious artwork, all the hymns and bible readings. It is fun to sit with the book and sing along with the choir. This beautiful book and CD is the perfect gift at the holiday season.