RIAS Kammerchor (photo Matthias Heyde)
RIAS Kammerchor (photo Matthias Heyde)

Ceremony of Carols

RIAS Kammerchor + National Boys Choir
Tue 9 Dec 2025 20:15 - 22:05
Tue 9 Dec 2025
20:15 - 22:05
  • Tue 9 Dec 2025
    20:15 - 22:05
    Interval 21:00
    Grote Zaal

Program

Benjamin Britten Ceremony of Carols / A Boy was Born
Francis Poulenc Hodie Christus natus est / O magnum mysterium
Herbert Howells Here is the Little Door
Anoniem Gaudete! / Coventry Carol / There is no rose

Credits

RIAS Kammerchor
Justin Doyle conductor
Anna Viechtl harp
National Boys Choir
Irene Verburg chorus preparation

Surprising Christmas music from the 20th century

The centuries-old tradition of Christmas music has resulted in many beautiful songs in the past hundred years, from composers such as Britten, Poulenc and Howells. Britten’s collection A Ceremony of Carols stands out, but his lesser-known A Boy was Born, written for boys’ choir, is also magnificent. The RIAS Kammerchor from Germany has performed numerous successful concerts at the Muziekgebouw and is one of Europe’s finest choirs. They are renowned for their warm harmonies.

Poulenc’s music, in particular, continually surprises by veering off in slightly unexpected directions. This undoubtedly makes his music challenging to sing, highlighting the RIAS Kammerchor’s celebrated skill in pure and precise harmony. Less well-known but far more profound is Here is the Little Door, written from the point of view of one of the Magi, who serves as a stand-in for every believer.

RIAS Kammerchor (photo Matthias Heyde)
RIAS Kammerchor (photo Matthias Heyde)
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