Joe Haddow in rehearsal with Orpheus Choir Photo: RNZ/David McCaw
'Fantasia on Christmas Carols' was the first of four works Vaughan Williams composed that were inspired by the idea of Christmas.
The Fantasia is based on four traditional English carols which Vaughan Williams and his friend Cecil Sharp collected in southern England. Vaughan Williams wanted to give these lovely tunes wider exposure so incorporated them in his Fantasia. The carols are 'The truth sent from above', 'Come all you worthy gentlemen', 'God bless the ruler of this house, and long may he reign' and 'On Christmas night all Christians sing' also known as the Sussex Carol.
At certain points Vaughan Williams also introduces fragments of other well-known carols as links or counter-melodies.
For this performance Brent Stewart arranged the orchestral part for a small instrumental ensemble of trumpet, trombone, flute, horn, piano, organ and percussion.
Recorded 24 November 2018, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul by RNZ Concert
Producer: David McCaw
Engineer: Darryl Stack
