Oh Carol!

CHRISTMAS is an odd time for the music-lover.

While it often seems one can’t move without hearing the same tired old festive hits, repeated ad nauseam on the radio or at parties, the pub or the shops, Oxford is also blessed with some of the most beautiful celebrations of seasonal music.

Our classical and choral concerts are among the highlights of the musical year, attracting capacity crowds to enjoy sublime performances by home and visiting musicians in some iconic settings.

Among the best, and most popular, are Music at Oxford’s Carol Concerts at Christ Church, the second and final one of which takes place tonight.

Featuring the Christ Church Cathedral Choir under the direction of Stephen Darlington, the concert’s appeal, says Music at Oxford’s chief executive Simon Courtenay-Taylor, lies in its accessibility – even if that means a radical departure from more traditional events.

“The events give people a taste of Christmas spirit and are always popular,” he says.

“They are not services, and we are always keen to stress that. They are an evocation of Christmas and all the good things about it.

“They do take place in a cathedral and start with a Bible reading, but it is not all about the Gospels or religious matters. The readings may be fun, interesting, funny and some are also moving, but all have to do with different sides to Christmas.

“One perennial favourite is a letter from the trenches of the First World War in which a soldier writes to his wife about the football game between the British and Germans in No-Man’s Land on Christmas Day.

“Other readings might come from Laurie Lee, Dylan Thomas and even Keith Waterhouse. We look at the lighter side of the season – such as fighting over who has the turkey drumstick – as well as the traditional religious aspects, such as Mary and Joseph in the stable.”

Music at Oxford, which organises the concerts as part of its packed festive season, is keen to keep the concerts fresh, often incorporating new readings and pieces of music.

Mr Courtenay-Taylor adds: “We bring something new every year, so there are carols everyone knows as well as ones from around the world and modern arrangements of familiar pieces of music.

“Last year, the piece of music that brought the house down was an a capella version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

He adds: “This may be the only time in the year when some people come to church. There are plenty of services at their local places of worship, as well as at Christ Church Cathedral, should they want to go to one.

“What we give them, though, is a stunning, world-class musical performance and thought-provoking readings.”

Christ Church Cathedral is also the setting for another Oxford festive institution: the Cathedral Choir’s annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The services, which takes place at 6pm on Sunday and 3pm on Christmas Eve, are a perennial favourite – as much for the beauty of the voices as for the glory of the surroundings.

Tickets are free and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Although postal application are now over, participants are invited to turn up on the day and queue until unoccupied seats are released – though, given an event of such enduring appeal, there is sadly no guarantee of admission.

Christmas at Christ Church takes place at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, at 8pm tonight. Tickets start at £10 and are available from the Sheldonian Theatre, sheldonj.ox.ac.uk or by calling 01865 277295.
The service of Nine Lessons and Carols takes place on Sunday, December, 23 and Monday, December 24