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- Christmas Carols at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Now, if you’re looking to watch a carol concert in London this festive season, then you couldn’t really get more magical than this one.
- Christmas Carols by Candlelight. Another one of the best carol concerts in London here, this one will give you the chance to experience the magic of Christmas like never before with a captivating musical evening featuring the sensational Piccadilly Singers, alongside leading London orchestral ensemble players.
- Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Christmas Carol Concert. Dogs, cats and Christmas carols? Name a better trio than that for some feel-good, festive cheer! Once again, the wonderful team at the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are putting on a carol concert in the beautiful surroundings of St Luke’s & Christ Church in Kensington and Chelsea.
- All Souls, Langham Place Christmas Carols & Orchestra. ‘Oh come all ye faithful’ and have a merry sing-a-long at one of the West End’s most vibrant (and free!)
- What Was The First Christmas Carol?
- When Did People Start ‘Carolling’?
- What Makes Christmas Music So Christmassy?
- Why Aren’T Christmas Carols Sung All Year round?
It’s generally accepted that one of the first Christmas carols ever to be recorded was the 129 AD ‘Angels Hymn’, according to The New Daily. Around this time, Christianity-themed hymns started taking over the previous pagan songs celebrating Winter Solstice. More and more slow, solemn hymns started to emerge in the fourth century, and by the 12th, ...
The notion of groups of carollers assembling in public spaces was a 19th-century one, according to Oxford. Called ‘waits’, these collections of singers used to gather to perform for passers-by, who traditionally thanked them with tasty offerings of drinks or mince pies. It became known as wassailing and continues today, of course. Groups continue t...
There are several elements that go into something seeming to sound unquestionably Christmassy. Stirring melodies are usually sprinkled with minor and diminished chords – think of the mix of major and minor melody lines in ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ – in popular Christmas carols and songs. This all underpins lyrics that are nostalgic, and often a...
“Oh, well I wish it could be Christmas everyday, When the kids start singing and the band begins to play...” rock band Wizzard first sung in the 1970s. Plenty of people do, and while we’re sure some sing Christmas carolsall year round, it’s traditional to stick to singing carols in the lead-up to Christmas Day, if we’re to take Oxford’s definition ...
The best Christmas carol services and concerts in London for 2024. Treat your ears to carols both trad and modern at these festive songfests. Wednesday 16 October 2024. Written by Alice Saville....
- Alice Saville
Discover the best Christmas carol services and concerts in London, including Christmas at Royal Albert Hall and festive carols at St Paul's Cathedral.
Christianity spread across Europe from the fourth to the 14th centuries, and the first carols were produced by Franciscan friars (pictured here in the 1940s), who were followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. These took the form of a dance in a circle with linked hands and everybody singing the song.
Sip on mulled wine, nibble a mince pie and warm up with us at a National Trust place decked out for Christmas. Whether you choose a volunteer choir performing traditional carols or a festive concert by professional singers, these events are sure to spread a little seasonal spirit.
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Dec 22, 2022 · From the lullaby-like Away in a Manger to the rabble-rousing Good King Wenceslas, Christmas carols have been sung around the world for hundreds of years, and have existed since as early as 4th century AD. However, in spite of their universal nature today, the origins of many carols remain obscure.
