This cantata features sixteen highly-varied folk song settings, bound together in seasonal groupings to take the listener on an engaging journey through the year from Spring to Winter. The prologue implores us to ‘sing and be merry’, and many of the songs facilitate this with their charmingly light-hearted melodies and imaginative orchestral accompaniment. There are […]
for SSAA and organ, or orchestra, with words and music by John Rutter. The orchestral material is the same as for the SATB version. For full details see Instrumental carol accompaniments section.
These two enjoyable and easy songs use riddle texts from the 17th and 18th centuries that are both haunting and rich with imagery. Chilcott produces two charming and characterful miniatures that although simple, manifest a ‘swanlike’ dignity befitting their subject.