Biography
Programme
vOx presents Christmas Carols by Candlelight, a varied programme of favourite carols and earlier less well-known treasures to lighten to the dark days of winter during Advent. Amongst the treasures is the iconic Viderunt Omnes by Perotin, one of the earliest examples of polyphony dated around 1198 setting the words of Psalm 98 vv2-4: 'All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of God'. Nesciens mater was first included in the Medici Codex, an illustrated collection of motets given to Lorenzo de Medici on his wedding in 1518. Mouton's 8 part motet sets an antiphon for the Octave of the Nativity commemorating the role of the Virgin Mary in the birth of Christ whilst the exquisite lullaby by Byrd hushes 'My sweet little baby'. Many of the more familiar carols are arrangements by David Willcocks and John Rutter whose works are synonymous with Christmas music. Also included is Vaughn Williams' Truth from Above, Ord's setting of Adam lay ybounden and Rodney Bennett's Out of your sleep.