The choir at Westminister Abbey performs three Carol Services annually, in conjunction with Advent Sunday, The Feast of St. Stephen and The Feast of the Holy Innocents. These 20 carols and hymns are derived from these performances by this 34 member male choir, and many are familiar, such as "Good King Wenceslas" and "Ding Dong Merrily On High"; however, director Simon Preston has a penchant for modern compositions as well. "Alleluya," (1921), written by Peter Wishart, replicates the celebratory chiming of bells, while alternating between major and minor tonalities; "Nowell," (1934) by Peter Maxwell Davies, never declares its tonic, but remains suspended without resolution. Mostly a cappella. |