The holly and the ivy, Matthew Owens, John Rutter, The Cambridge Singers, RPO

The holly and the ivy From the album ‘A Cambridge Christmas’ Composer Matthew Owens Conductor John Rutter Choir The Cambridge Singers Orchestra Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Buy, download or stream: https://lnk.to/HollyAndIvy Find more of the catalogue and curated playlists by subscribing to the channel: http://bit.ly/2uQMe9P Social Media Links: Facebook:   / johnruttermusic   Instagram:   / johnrutter.composer   Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johnrutter.b... Website: https://www.johnrutter.com A Cambridge Christmas John writes: 'In 1971, David Willcocks invited me to co-edit Carols for Choirs 2. This most happy association cemented my lifelong association with Cambridge, and with Christmas, and in calling this double album A Cambridge Christmas, I am paying homage to that association. Some of the carols included in it were written by Cambridge authors or musicians, others were made famous by Cambridge Choirs, some I have included just because I like them, and there are several carols I have arranged or composed myself, generally for friends or organisations I cherish.' The holly and the ivy If ever there was a refreshing new take on a familiar old carol text, this is it. Matthew Owens, holder at various times of several key posts in the cathedral music world, somehow found time to contribute to Carols for Choirs 5 with an ear-tickling tune that would stick with its hearers forever – oscillating fascinatingly between three-four and six-eight time, a device as old as a medieval dance yet made tinglingly new. Enjoy the woodwind that dances merrily above the melody like Christmas elves. JR The holly and the ivy, When they are both full grown, Of all the trees that are in the wood, The holly bears the crown: O, the rising of the sun And the running of the deer, The playing of the merry organ, Sweet singing in the choir. The holly bears a blossom, As white as any flower, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ, To be our sweet Saviour: O, the rising of the sun... The holly bears a berry, As red as any blood, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ, To do poor sinners good: O, the rising of the sun... The holly bears a prickle, As sharp as any thorn, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ On Christmas Day in the morn: O, the rising of the sun... The holly bears a bark, As bitter as any gall, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ For to redeem us all: O, the rising of the sun... English traditional carol Contact info@collegium.co.uk