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Christmas Carols: Music
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Christmas carols, originally of popular origin, first appeared in the 15th century as part of liturgical drama. Collections of these songs with rustic themes were numerous as early as the 16th century and were presented as Christmas Bibles. They often included couplets with secular significance. Musicians often composed new airs from old themes.
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The tradition of old Christmas carols dictate that they should adhere to the Book of Luke in the New Testament. This is no longer followed at the present except for the old hymns of the Christmastime litanies or musical prayers.
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Ralph Vaughan-Williams wrote his "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" in 1912. Victor Hely-Hutchinson wrote his "Carol Symphony" in 1927. Christina Rosetti wrote a poem called "In the Bleak Midwinter", and Gustav Holst set it to music in 1905, making it a modern Christmas Carol.
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A Caribbean style Christmas carol recorded separately by Harry Belafonte and Mahalia Jackson in 1956. Belafonte had risen to the top of the music world with his Calypso album released earlier that year. He re-recorded "Mary's Boy Child" in 1962, which has become the standard.
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The New Oxford Book of Carols edited by Hugh Keyte and Andrew Parrott (Oxford Univ Press, NY & Oxford, 1992), is an amazing work. More than 700 pages long, this volume contains over 200 carols (see the contents), along with a discussion of their history, suggestions for performance, and, often, more than one musical setting (for example, seven settings for "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks"). The historical notes frequently are extensive (approximately 2700 words for "While Shepherds Watched"); many of these tidbits are fascinating and, at times, amusing:
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This nostalgic and charming volume contains the words and music for more than 75 beloved Christmas carols. From uplifting and joyful carols to moving and powerful hymns, these are the songs that embody the spirit of the holiday season.
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