Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 48
December 23, 2014
Not the Nine Lessons and Carols... Day Nine
It's Christmas Eve. There can be no better way to finish this short, alternative seasonal offering than with the wonderful Christmas Landscape by - who else? - Laurie Lee. Here is the poet himself reading the poem. And if that doesn't get you into the Christmas spirit well... you may need the sort that comes in a bottle.
For music, the late lamented Jake Thackray with a ballad in honour of the quiet man of the nativity, Joseph... just the man I want to remember this Christmas midnight...
Happy Christmas!
For music, the late lamented Jake Thackray with a ballad in honour of the quiet man of the nativity, Joseph... just the man I want to remember this Christmas midnight...
Happy Christmas!
December 22, 2014
Not the Nine Lessons and Carols... day eight
A couple of days ago I hinted at the fact that Christ - if he was born at all - probably wasn't born in December. So why do we celebrate on December 25th? See this post should you want to find out.
But another question arises: how long ago was Jesus born? We know that the calculation of the western calendar is a mess and that we're anything from four to six years out. (That's right - the Millennium was actually circa 1996!)
But the question of dating historical events is a fascinating one and here, for today's #Notthe9Lessons reading, is a wonderful extract from the writings of Bishop James Ussher, seventeenth-century Archbishop of Armagh, who set himself the task of calculating the age of the earth using only the Bible. The earth was created, he calculated, at 9.00 a.m. on Oct 3rd in the year 4004BC.
To be fair, he didn't have much by way of scientific data to go on. But here's how he set the birth of Jesus into its historical context. And, as we're in historical mode, following the lesson comes Christmas music as you've probably never heard it before, but as you would have heard it if you'd been going to church on Christmas Day about 700 hundred years ago. I think things may have improved just a little, not least thanks to the invention of polyphony. But it remains wonderfully atmospheric and a suitable antidote to those awful Christmas pop songs we keep hearing as we do our Christmas shopping...
But another question arises: how long ago was Jesus born? We know that the calculation of the western calendar is a mess and that we're anything from four to six years out. (That's right - the Millennium was actually circa 1996!)
But the question of dating historical events is a fascinating one and here, for today's #Notthe9Lessons reading, is a wonderful extract from the writings of Bishop James Ussher, seventeenth-century Archbishop of Armagh, who set himself the task of calculating the age of the earth using only the Bible. The earth was created, he calculated, at 9.00 a.m. on Oct 3rd in the year 4004BC.
To be fair, he didn't have much by way of scientific data to go on. But here's how he set the birth of Jesus into its historical context. And, as we're in historical mode, following the lesson comes Christmas music as you've probably never heard it before, but as you would have heard it if you'd been going to church on Christmas Day about 700 hundred years ago. I think things may have improved just a little, not least thanks to the invention of polyphony. But it remains wonderfully atmospheric and a suitable antidote to those awful Christmas pop songs we keep hearing as we do our Christmas shopping...
Not the Nine Lessons and Carols: Day 7
Welcome to day seven of our seasonal #NotThe9Lessons spectacular!
Today's lesson is actually more than one reading. Forgive the audio quality but it's the only one of a wonderful former BBC announcer called Robin Holmes reading a couple of seasonal poems from a series called Rural Rhymes and broadcast years ago as an occasional filler. The quality of the poems varies but the delicately-nuanced readings are always excellent. Unfortunately I was told by a BBC friend who had an archivist investigate the depths of Broadcasting House a while ago that the original recordings were deleted, which means these may be the only copies.
Today's #NotThe9Lessons carol comes from my new favourite girl singer evah, the hugely-talented Kate Davis. (Check out her version of Meghan Trainor's All About that Bass here if you haven't heard it already.)
She sings, she plays (a multitude of instruments, including my own fave the double (or upright) bass) and, in this video, she wears a Christmas hat and does a cover of Elvis's Blue Christmas that includes duelling basses (think duelling banjos, but bigger). Over to ya, Kate...
Today's lesson is actually more than one reading. Forgive the audio quality but it's the only one of a wonderful former BBC announcer called Robin Holmes reading a couple of seasonal poems from a series called Rural Rhymes and broadcast years ago as an occasional filler. The quality of the poems varies but the delicately-nuanced readings are always excellent. Unfortunately I was told by a BBC friend who had an archivist investigate the depths of Broadcasting House a while ago that the original recordings were deleted, which means these may be the only copies.
Today's #NotThe9Lessons carol comes from my new favourite girl singer evah, the hugely-talented Kate Davis. (Check out her version of Meghan Trainor's All About that Bass here if you haven't heard it already.)
She sings, she plays (a multitude of instruments, including my own fave the double (or upright) bass) and, in this video, she wears a Christmas hat and does a cover of Elvis's Blue Christmas that includes duelling basses (think duelling banjos, but bigger). Over to ya, Kate...
December 21, 2014
Not the Nine Lessons... 6
Happy Christmas everyone!
You did you know that today is the original Christmas Day didn't you? Well, one of many.
The truth is no one knows when Christ was born (or even 'if' as that's a matter of faith, of course). But it probably wasn't the bleak mid-winter. For a start no self-respecting shepherd is likely to be out on a hillside in the depths of December.
But when the Romans finally stopped persecuting Christians and the empire became Christian itself in 313AD there was a ready-made winter festival and the emperor Constantine thought it'd be a shame to scrap it so he had Christmas moved to December to celebrate the rebirth of the sun on or around the solstice. Which is today, of course.
It isn't always. It can occur on the 22nd December and it will next year. But for now, today marks the day when the sun is at its lowest and the day at its darkest.
So the sixth of our #Notthe9Lessons carols has to be a pagan one. Luckily there are plenty to choose from.
And for the reading, a poem of hope when all around is dark. Because the sun will be reborn and frost and snow struck dead again.
You did you know that today is the original Christmas Day didn't you? Well, one of many.
The truth is no one knows when Christ was born (or even 'if' as that's a matter of faith, of course). But it probably wasn't the bleak mid-winter. For a start no self-respecting shepherd is likely to be out on a hillside in the depths of December.
But when the Romans finally stopped persecuting Christians and the empire became Christian itself in 313AD there was a ready-made winter festival and the emperor Constantine thought it'd be a shame to scrap it so he had Christmas moved to December to celebrate the rebirth of the sun on or around the solstice. Which is today, of course.
It isn't always. It can occur on the 22nd December and it will next year. But for now, today marks the day when the sun is at its lowest and the day at its darkest.
So the sixth of our #Notthe9Lessons carols has to be a pagan one. Luckily there are plenty to choose from.
And for the reading, a poem of hope when all around is dark. Because the sun will be reborn and frost and snow struck dead again.
December 19, 2014
Not the Nine Lessons and Carols 5
Following yesterday's stirring performance by the Taverner Consort I've been inundated by a request to play another of their carols, so here they are with a version of 'Wild Shepherds' that you won't be hearing at King's College, Cambridge this Christmas - or indeed in any church anywhere, more's the pity.
This is what carols are, or should be, or once were - brought-and-ready folk melodies to be bawled out with gusto in the pub of an evening. It's only in relatively recent times that the Church has got hold of them and cleaned them up a bit. So here's carol number five. And what a Carol!
And for the lesson, we'll have some more about carol singing from my favourite Christmas author Laurie Lee. This is from Cider with Rosie, describing the annual ritual of 'carol barking' for the boys of the village church choir.
This is what carols are, or should be, or once were - brought-and-ready folk melodies to be bawled out with gusto in the pub of an evening. It's only in relatively recent times that the Church has got hold of them and cleaned them up a bit. So here's carol number five. And what a Carol!
And for the lesson, we'll have some more about carol singing from my favourite Christmas author Laurie Lee. This is from Cider with Rosie, describing the annual ritual of 'carol barking' for the boys of the village church choir.
December 18, 2014
Not the Nine Lessons number 4
Lesson number four - unfortunately for 'em - is (to quote from the text itself) a long one that afternoon... It's a real classic - Absent-mindedness in a Parish Choir by Thomas Hardy, from the novel Under the Greenwood Tree. It needs no further introduction, at least, I don't think so. Just have a listen...
The carol, in keeping with the country mood, is from Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band. You'll know the words, and recognise the tune, but this version heard back to the folk roots of all Christmas carols, of which I'll say a bit more tomorrow.
But first, this:
The carol, in keeping with the country mood, is from Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band. You'll know the words, and recognise the tune, but this version heard back to the folk roots of all Christmas carols, of which I'll say a bit more tomorrow.
But first, this:
Not the Nine Lessons Three: Nativity Play
I got into a tiny bit of trouble yesterday by appearing to be rather snooty about choirboys and the excellent King's College Choir. But nothing could be further from the truth.
I'm all for musical excellence and the sound of a traditional choir can be - can be - one of the great joys of musical life. It can also, in the wrong hands, with the wrong voices, be rather painful. In fact, that goes for all singing from X-Factor wannabes to choristers-who-should-never-be.
I purport to be something of a singer myself and not just in the bath. In fact, I love the human voice with a passion. It is the greatest of instruments and I'm an evangelist for the social and medical benefits of singing as an activity.
So, for my third alternative carol (of nine) I thought I'd share an example of the kind of thing I mean. Here's the excellent Taverner Choir with a carol that comes all the way from Boston. (That's Boston, Mass, btw.)
The composer - William Billings - sounds to have been quite a character, described by an eighteenth-century contemporary as 'a singular man... short of one leg and with only one eye.' But let's not hold that against him. His wonderful carol, Methinks I See an Heavenly Host nicely encapsulates my personal belief that everyone can and should sing - but that they should wholeheartedly embrace whatever voice they've got and not try to 'sing' in a particular manner. (Think Hilda Ogden warbling while cleaning or indeed, most if not all contestant on the X-Factor!)
This is rustic, rough-and-ready and racy and about as far removed from the ethereal sound of King's, Cambridge as I can imagine. And it's magnificent.
And today's lesson is also about as far removed from King's as it can be: it's a short poem by Claire Bevan which might strike a chord with every parent of small children involved in the annual performance of primary school nativity plays...
I'm all for musical excellence and the sound of a traditional choir can be - can be - one of the great joys of musical life. It can also, in the wrong hands, with the wrong voices, be rather painful. In fact, that goes for all singing from X-Factor wannabes to choristers-who-should-never-be.
I purport to be something of a singer myself and not just in the bath. In fact, I love the human voice with a passion. It is the greatest of instruments and I'm an evangelist for the social and medical benefits of singing as an activity.
So, for my third alternative carol (of nine) I thought I'd share an example of the kind of thing I mean. Here's the excellent Taverner Choir with a carol that comes all the way from Boston. (That's Boston, Mass, btw.)
The composer - William Billings - sounds to have been quite a character, described by an eighteenth-century contemporary as 'a singular man... short of one leg and with only one eye.' But let's not hold that against him. His wonderful carol, Methinks I See an Heavenly Host nicely encapsulates my personal belief that everyone can and should sing - but that they should wholeheartedly embrace whatever voice they've got and not try to 'sing' in a particular manner. (Think Hilda Ogden warbling while cleaning or indeed, most if not all contestant on the X-Factor!)
This is rustic, rough-and-ready and racy and about as far removed from the ethereal sound of King's, Cambridge as I can imagine. And it's magnificent.
And today's lesson is also about as far removed from King's as it can be: it's a short poem by Claire Bevan which might strike a chord with every parent of small children involved in the annual performance of primary school nativity plays...
December 16, 2014
Not the Nine Lessons... Day Two!
Having dispensed with the traditional festive opening with such cavalier disregard yesterday, I've been feeling a twinge of guilt. But then, this is 'Not' the Nine Lessons, rather than the Nine Lessons themselves.
Nevertheless, for our second carol let's have Once in Royal, not sung by some posh pre-pubescent at one of our elite musical institutions but by Jethro Tull (aka Ian Anderson) from Blackpool.
And let's stay in the regions for today's lesson, the evergreen and evocative Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas.
The real Nine Lessons and Carols (that is, from King's College, Cambridge) has been broadcast by the BBC since 1928 and - thanks to the World Service - is heard by millions all over the globe.
I wonder what reach my little alternative is likely to achieve?
Click back again tomorrow to see what Day Three has to offer.
Nevertheless, for our second carol let's have Once in Royal, not sung by some posh pre-pubescent at one of our elite musical institutions but by Jethro Tull (aka Ian Anderson) from Blackpool.
And let's stay in the regions for today's lesson, the evergreen and evocative Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas.
The real Nine Lessons and Carols (that is, from King's College, Cambridge) has been broadcast by the BBC since 1928 and - thanks to the World Service - is heard by millions all over the globe.
I wonder what reach my little alternative is likely to achieve?
Click back again tomorrow to see what Day Three has to offer.
A Child's Christmas in Wales Dylan Thomas
Having dispensed with the traditional festive opening with such cavalier disregard yesterday, I've been feeling a twinge of guilt. But then, this is 'Not' the Nine Lessons, rather than the Nine Lessons themselves.
Nevertheless, for our second carol let's have Once in Royal, not sung by some posh pre-pubescent at one of our elite musical institutions but by Jethro Tull (aka Ian Anderson) from Blackpool.
And let's stay in the regions for today's lesson, the evergreen and evocative Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas.
The real Nine Lessons and Carols (that is, from King's College, Cambridge) has been broadcast by the BBC since 1928 and - thanks to the World Service - is heard by millions all over the globe.
I wonder what reach my little alternative is likely to achieve?
Click back again tomorrow to see what Day Three has to offer.
Nevertheless, for our second carol let's have Once in Royal, not sung by some posh pre-pubescent at one of our elite musical institutions but by Jethro Tull (aka Ian Anderson) from Blackpool.
And let's stay in the regions for today's lesson, the evergreen and evocative Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas.
The real Nine Lessons and Carols (that is, from King's College, Cambridge) has been broadcast by the BBC since 1928 and - thanks to the World Service - is heard by millions all over the globe.
I wonder what reach my little alternative is likely to achieve?
Click back again tomorrow to see what Day Three has to offer.
Not the Nine Lessons and Carols
I do love the Nine Lessons. It's really special. The live broadcast on Christmas Eve from King's College chapel always feels like the moment Christmas really begins. Those wonderful opening lines...
Beloved, be it this Christmas Eve our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels; in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.
And then, in the darkness, a lone chorister chosen (at King's) just moments earlier, pipes up with the first verse of Once in Royal David's City. It all seems so timeless, so eternal, immutable and beautiful.
In fact, the service as we know it is less than a century old. Using a sequence first devised at Truro cathedral in 1880, the new Dean of King's College, Cambridge, Eric Milner-White, planned the service for Christmas Eve 1918, having become convinced by his army service that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Anyway, much as I love it there's an awful lot of lovely Christmas music and wonderfully evocative writing that doesn't feature, so I thought in the run-up to the big day I'd share my own 'nine lessons and carols' with the world, a sort of 'Not the Nine Lessons' if you like, but every bit as good. I hope.
Here, to begin at the beginning, and in the dim light of my imagination rather than the darkness of a distant college chapel, is a Christmas song by Michael Head, The Little Road to Bethlehem. My earliest Christmas memory of this beautiful little carol is of my mother singing it. Unfortunately, no recording of her doing so exists, so here's Sarah Walker standing in for her instead:
To follow, here's the first lesson from the Gospel according to one of my favourite authors, Laurie Lee. I challenge anyone to listen to this and not start to feel something of the true meaning of Christmas...
Join me tomorrow for number two!
Beloved, be it this Christmas Eve our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels; in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.
And then, in the darkness, a lone chorister chosen (at King's) just moments earlier, pipes up with the first verse of Once in Royal David's City. It all seems so timeless, so eternal, immutable and beautiful.
In fact, the service as we know it is less than a century old. Using a sequence first devised at Truro cathedral in 1880, the new Dean of King's College, Cambridge, Eric Milner-White, planned the service for Christmas Eve 1918, having become convinced by his army service that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Anyway, much as I love it there's an awful lot of lovely Christmas music and wonderfully evocative writing that doesn't feature, so I thought in the run-up to the big day I'd share my own 'nine lessons and carols' with the world, a sort of 'Not the Nine Lessons' if you like, but every bit as good. I hope.
Here, to begin at the beginning, and in the dim light of my imagination rather than the darkness of a distant college chapel, is a Christmas song by Michael Head, The Little Road to Bethlehem. My earliest Christmas memory of this beautiful little carol is of my mother singing it. Unfortunately, no recording of her doing so exists, so here's Sarah Walker standing in for her instead:
To follow, here's the first lesson from the Gospel according to one of my favourite authors, Laurie Lee. I challenge anyone to listen to this and not start to feel something of the true meaning of Christmas...
Join me tomorrow for number two!
