Programmes

Choral Christmas with Jess Gillam

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Jess Gillam playing the saxophone with the CBSO

Full programme

  • Bach, Arr. Jonathan Rathbone, Vom Himmel Hoch  (3mins)
  • Trad, Arr. Ken Hesketh, Gabriel's Message (world premiere of arrangement)  (3mins)
  • Ola Gjeilo, Winter Rain (CBSO Commission, supported by the Rachel Baker Memorial Charity)  (4mins)
  • Lin Marsh, Arr. Broadley, Diamond Bright  (4mins)
  • Gordon Thornett, Noel!  (4mins)
  • Trad, Arr. John Scott, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear  (4mins)
  • Cecilia McDowell, Arr. Higgins, Cradle Song  (3mins)
  • Praetorius, Arr. Jeremy Holland Smith, Es Ist Ein Rosensprugen  (4mins)
  • Darius Battiwala, Barnsley Carol (world premiere of arrangement)  (3mins)
  • Grant McLachlan, Come Colours, Rise  (5mins)
  • Mendelssohn, Arr. Ledger, Hark The Herald  (4mins)
  • Leroy Anderson, Sleigh Ride  (3mins)
  • Shakin Stevens, Arr. Dickman, Merry Christmas Everyone (world premiere of arrangement)  (4mins)
  • Sanderson, Arr. Green, A Song of Christmas Cheer  (4mins)
  • Trad, Arr. Matt Beckingham, Cantemos a Maria  (3mins)
  • Trad, Arr. Reginald Jaques, Good King Wenceslas  (4mins)
  • Leontovych, Carol of the Bells  (3mins)
  • Rutter, Praise Ye the Lord  (3mins)
  • Rheinberger, Abendlied   (4mins)
  • Trad, Arr. Ledger & Wilcocks, O Come All Ye Faithful  (5mins)
  • Trad, Arr. Chilcott, We Wish You A Merry Christmas  (4mins)

Performers

Introduction

As the wine is mulling, the chestnuts are roasting and the snow is (probably not!) falling, we welcome you to this Christmas extravaganza with the CBSO!

I'm so happy to be back in Birmingham with this brilliant orchestra. The CBSO are an orchestra who not only sound incredible, but who are also extremely warm and welcoming people who make every collaboration an absolute joy. I hope you feel that passion and energy from the audience! Tonight, we have a selection box of festive delights in store for you, both old and new.

I’ve always enjoyed being part of musical festivities in wintertime. I started out on the saxophone at the Barracudas Carnival Band in Cumbria and at Christmas we would play versions of Slade, the classic Mariah Carey and The Waitresses – all with a little samba twist. I also remember being desperate to be good enough to be given the special ‘descant sheet’ for all the carols when we did our Christmas wind band concerts at school. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of togetherness and joy that a good bit of Christmas singing can bring and I can’t wait to hear all of your voices fill the Symphony Hall with Yuletide glory in the carols tonight.

Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride is an absolute Christmas cracker too and will definitely be a highlight. Although it was written at the height of a heatwave in Connecticut, it’s the tune that truly signals Christmas for me.

I’ll be joining the orchestra and choir for an arrangement by Jeremy Holland Smith of Es ist Ein' Ros entsprungen and a cheeky little arrangement by Simon Parkin of Carol of the Bells, a piece that really captures the excitement of Christmas. The melody is actually from a Ukrainian folk chant to celebrate new year: Shchedryk by Mykola Leontovych, which translates as ‘The Little Swallow’. The festive lyrics were added later by the American composer Peter Wilhousky.

Thank you again for joining us – I hope you have a brilliant evening and that, when it comes, you have a lovely Christmas and New Year ahead.

Jess Gillam
Saxophone, Presenter

Featured image © Hannah Fathers