Vaughan Williams: The First Nowell (A Nativity Play) - Pro Arte Orchestra, Jack Miller, Director

 

The First Nowell (A Nativity Play)

1. God Rest You Merry Gentlemen 04:07
2. The Sussex Carol 00:56
3. Angelus ad virginem 01:58
4. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell! 02:01
5. Eia mater Domini 02:01
6. Cherry Tree Carol 02:28
7. As Joseph Was A-walking 01:54
8. O Joseph Being an Old Man 03:17
9. In Bethlehem City 03:27
10. Bring Us In Good Ale 00:47
11. On Christmas Night 01:42
12 & 13. Tidings True - How Brightly Shines The Morning Star 04:50
14. The Procession of the Kings to Bethlehem 00:48
15. The First Nowell 04:14

Ralph Vaughan Williams -- THE FIRST NOWELL liner notes

THE FIRST NOWELL by Ralph Vaughan Williams employs traditional English carols to accompany and tie together the nativity story, The carols, heard alone as in this recording, are a wonderfully evocative sequence which relates the various legends, traditions, and events of the Christmas Story. THE FIRST NOWELL, which is scored for strings, winds, brass, timpani, and harp was first performed by the St. Martin­in-the-Fields Orchestra and Singers conducted by John Churchill, and produced by Noel Iliff and Geraldine Stephenson at the Theatre Royal on December 19, 1958.