genre: sacred music|carol|choral music|Christmas music|song
Rossetti poem(s): "A Christmas Carol" ("In the bleak mid-winter")
Rossetti, Christina Georgina; text (English, 1830-1894)
Other data reference(s): Record for "Korall 2 : 25 körallsånger." WorldCat, http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/213304521. Accessed 23 May 2019.
Cataloguer: Emily McConkey, University of Ottawa
The Christina Rossetti in Music project website is hosted in Canada at the University of Ottawa Library, and we aim to comply with Canadian copyright laws. If you believe we have violated Canadian copyright law, please contact us at christinarossettimusic@uottawa.ca. The Christina Rossetti in Music project is strictly not for profit and intended for research and educational purposes only.
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-nyberg
First line of lyrics: In the bleak mid-winter
genre: carol|Christmas music|sacred music|song
initial sharps/flats: no sharps or flats
Composition history: In an email correspondence with Dr. Mary Arseneau, Daubney indicated that he has revised the name of the hymn tune to "Wisteria," to distinguish it from Holst and Darke's settings (Daubney).
Daubney, Brian Blyth; music (English, born 1929)
Other data reference(s): Daubney, Brian Blyth. "Wisteria." Received by Mary Arseneau, 19 April 2019.
This score is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. The score appears on the website by kind permission of Brian Blyth Daubney.
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-daubney
File(s): CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-daubney.pdf
"In the bleak mid-winter" [Martin Dover]
First line of lyrics: In the bleak midwinter
genre: Christmas music|carol|choral music|sacred music|song
Tempo markings: "Moderato"; quarter note = 108
Notes: "An alternative setting of the well-known Christmas poem by Christina Rossetti. This arrangement for SSA choir with piano accompaniment starts with a gentle introduction to the theme. It moves through an alternative tune for verses 2 and 4 modulating each time into a new key as the original theme returns for verses 3 and 5. A combination of beautiful simplicity with some striking harmonies and a capella sections make this an interesting new version of a familiar carol."
Other data reference(s): "In the Bleak Mid-Winter (In the Bleak Midwinter) - SSA (Upper Voices)." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-the-bleak-mid-winter-in-the-bleak-midwinter-ssa-upper-voices-digital-sheet-music/20666760. Accessed 4 June 2019.
musical score: Morriset Library, University of Ottawa, Ottawa
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "In the Bleak Mid-Winter (In the Bleak Midwinter) - SSA (Upper Voices)." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-the-bleak-mid-winter-in-the-bleak-midwinter-ssa-upper-voices-digital-sheet-music/20666760. Accessed 4 June 2019.
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-dover
"In the Bleak Mid-Winter" [Richard Allain]
genre: carol|choral music|Christmas music|sacred music|song
instrumentation: a cappella|piano (for rehearsal only)
Composition history: "Written for Stephen Cleobury and the Choir of King's College, Cambridge."
Allain, Richard; music (British, born 1965)
Other data reference(s): "In The Bleak Mid-Winter." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-the-bleak-mid-winter-sheet-music/19881806. Accessed 4 June 2019. "Richard Allain." Music Sales Classical, http://www.musicsalesclassical.com/composer/short-bio/Richard-Allain. Accessed 4 June 2019.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "In The Bleak Mid-Winter." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-the-bleak-mid-winter-sheet-music/19881806. Accessed 4 June 2019.
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-allain
"In The Bleak Mid-winter" [Robert C. L. Watson]
genre: anthem|choral music|Christmas music|sacred music|song
Tempo markings: "Legato"; quarter note = 66-80
Performance instructions: For SATB and organ with optional soprano and tenor solos. "Measures 3 through 17 may be sung a cappella."
Notes: "This first-place award winner in the Amadeus Choir Christmas Carol Competition by Canadian composer Robert Watson is imbued with rich contemporary harmonies."
Other data reference(s): "In The Bleak Mid-winter." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-the-bleak-mid-winter-digital-sheet-music/20344275. Accessed 4 June 2019.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "In The Bleak Mid-winter." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-the-bleak-mid-winter-digital-sheet-music/20344275. Accessed 4 June 2019.
"© 2005 Roger Dean Publishing Company, a division of The Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A."
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-watson
"In the Bleak Mid-winter" [Colin Kirkpatrick]
genre: Christmas music|choral music|sacred music|song
Tempo markings: "Gently, with movement"; quarter note = 70
Performance instructions: "The alto solo starting in measure 6 is optional and may be sung tutti if desired."
Notes: "This is a new setting of the famous words by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) and it is in 5/8 time. Singers will easily get into the habit of thinking this is terms of three beats followed by two beats. The setting follows the format of the original poem and there is a short, easy-to-sing a cappella section in the middle. It’s scored for SSA choir with keyboard accompaniment. The piano part is of medium difficulty."
Other data reference(s): "In the Bleak Mid-winter (SSA accompanied)." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-the-bleak-mid-winter-ssa-accompanied-digital-sheet-music/21310446. Accessed 4 June 2019.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "In the Bleak Mid-winter (SSA accompanied)." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-the-bleak-mid-winter-ssa-accompanied-digital-sheet-music/21310446. Accessed 4 June 2019.
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-kirkpatrick
"In the bleak mid-winter" [Matthew Whittall]
Part of: "Christmas Hath a Darkness: Four Carols for Advent"
genre: carol|Christmas music|choral music|song|song cycle
Place in the larger work: The third song of four in the song cycle called "Christmas Hath a Darkness: Four Carols for Advent," settings of Christina Rossetti poems, including 1. "This Advent Moon"; 2. "Earth grown old"; 3. In the bleak mid-winter"; 4. "Love came down at Christmas."
Composition history: "This cycle of carols, to the poetry of Christina Rossetti, was assembled piecemeal over a number of years, gradually acquiring a larger dramatic and harmonic arch shape as new settings were added. I was particularly attracted to Rossetti’s conflation of the dark, fallow winter landscape with that of the soul waiting for salvation" (Whittall).
Tempo markings: "freely, simple, folk-like"; quarter note = 72-76
Whittall, Matthew; music (Canadian-Finnish, born 1975)
Other data reference(s): "Christmas Hath a Darkness: Four Carols for Advent (2007-2016)." Matthew Whittall Composer, http://www.mwhittall.com/compositions/christmas-hath-a-darkness-four-carols-for-advent-2007-2016/. Accessed 13 June 2019.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Matthew Whittall: Christmas Hath a Darkness - Four carols for Advent." https://www.fennicagehrman.fi/news-item/news/matthew-whittall-christmas-hath-a-darkness-four-carols-for-advent/?tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=82ff3ba5ca54750b46afa016b05c3208. Accessed 13 June 2019.
2007 [composition]; 2017 [publication] [copyright]
3 pages (pp. 31-33); performance time 3 minutes
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-whittall
Notes about the text: "In the Bleak Mid-winter" is set in just the first stanza of "Winter Snow" (Ezust).
Reference: Ezust, Emily. The LiederNet Archive. http://www.lieder.net/lieder/index.html
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-wilkinson
genre: carol|Christmas music|song|sacred music
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4314
Reference: Gooch, Bryan N.S. and David S. Thatcher. Musical Settings of Early and Mid-Victorian Literature: A Catalogue. New York: Garland, 1979.
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-wood
Performance instructions: "Originally written as an anthem for unison voices with descant, it may be sung as such by singing the soprano line and descant throughout."
Dedication: "For Pitton Primary School Choir"
Notes: A note about the poem on the score reads: "Written sometime around 1872, the poem was never intended as a hymn or a carol because of its irregular meter."
Lawson, Philip; music (English, born 1957)
Other data reference(s): "Snow on Snow." Hymnary.org, https://hymnary.org/node/30161?ref=authority_list. Accessed 6 July 2019. "Snow on Snow." J.W. Pepper, https://www.jwpepper.com/Snow-on-Snow-/10277030.item#/submit. Accessed 6 July 2019.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Snow on Snow." J.W. Pepper, https://www.jwpepper.com/Snow-on-Snow-/10277030.item#/submit. Accessed 6 July 2019.
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-lawsonphilip
"In The Bleak Midwinter" [Richard Hynson]
genre: song cycle|choral music|Christmas music|sacred music|song
Place in the larger work: The first song of two in the song cycle called "Two Rossetti settings," which includes 1. "In the Bleak Midwinter"; 2. "Love Came Down At Christmas."
Tempo markings: "Reverently"; half note = 63
Performance instructions: For SATB and piano with optional brass ensemble.
Other data reference(s): "Two Rossetti Settings (SATB) : Richard Hynson : SATB : # 8744646." East Coast Music, https://www.eastcoastmusic.com/Two-Rossetti-Settings-SATB-Richard-Hynson-S-p/zhl8744646.htm. Accessed 6 July 2019.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Two Rossetti Settings (SATB) : Richard Hynson : SATB : # 8744646." East Coast Music, https://www.eastcoastmusic.com/Two-Rossetti-Settings-SATB-Richard-Hynson-S-p/zhl8744646.htm. Accessed 6 July 2019.
"Copyright © 2005 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION International Copyright Secured All rights reserved"
12 pages (song cycle); performance time 1 minute and 55 seconds (song)
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-hynson
"Love Came Down At Christmas" [Richard Hynson]
First line of lyrics: Love came down at Christmas
genre: song cycle|Christmas music|choral music|song
Place in the larger work: The second song of two in the song cycle called "Two Rossetti settings," which includes 1. "In the Bleak Midwinter"; 2. "Love Came Down At Christmas."
Tempo markings: "Warmly; quarter note = 80
12 pages (song cycle); performance time 1 minute 25 seconds (song)
Tempo markings: "Flexible and expressive" (quarter note = 76)
Other data reference(s): "In the bleak midwinter (Adrian Wall)." ChoralWiki, http://www0.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/In_the_bleak_midwinter_(Adrian_Wall). Accessed 7 July 2019.
musical score: ChoralWiki, http://www0.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/In_the_bleak_midwinter_(Adrian_Wall). Accessed 7 July 2019.
"© Copyright Adrian M. Wall, 2019. See http://www.diversvoyces.org.uk/editions for copyright terms."
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-wall
musical score: ChoralWiki, http://www1.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/In_the_bleak_midwinter_(Jens_Klimek). Accessed 7 July 2019.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "In the bleak mid-winter." ChoralWiki, http://www2.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/In_the_bleak_midwinter_(Jens_Klimek). Accessed 30 January 2020.
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-klimek
Composition history: "I was drawn to set this text particularly in light of the recurring types of imagery (pastoral, angelic...) and the oppositions among them. This is connected to the musical strategy of guiding a single theme through a variety of different tonal and textural guises. In this piece, I have sought to strike a balance between setting this carol in the traditional strophic form, while also varying the musical content (and the pacing) to much greater extent than is usually possible in that idiom."
Tempo markings: "Semplice"; quarter note = c.90
Performance instructions: "The opening soprano part may be sung as a solo or by a few voices if desired. Tenuto marking (eg. bar 1) indicate a pesante approach with the weight in the centre of the note (not an accent at the beginning). Hairpins are used to indicate local textual phrasing as well as longer-range dynamic changes. Occasionally these are in conflict. For instance, there is a general crescendo for ATB in bb.51ff., but the word 'sanctus' is obviously trochaic. The meno messo bars are brief moments of hiatus followed by calm fluidity. The performer may prefer to think of these in terms of rubato rather than tempo, but in any case the result should be slightly slower than the prevailing tempo."
Performance history: "First performances: December 2014; Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge; Sarah MacDonald, conductor"
musical score: IMSLP Petrucci Music Library, https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ReverseLookup/522471. Accessed 10 September 2019.
"© Mark Gotham: Performance Restricted Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 (PR-BY-NC-ND)"
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-gotham
File(s): CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-gotham.pdf
Papalin; music (Japanese, a.k.a. Muto Tetsuya)
Reference: IMSLP Petrucci Music Library, http://imslp.org/
musical score: IMSLP Petrucci Music Library, https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ReverseLookup/297181. Accessed 10 September 2019.
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-papalin
File(s): CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-papalin.pdf
First line of lyrics: O happy rose-bud blooming
Tempo markings: "andante espressivo"; quarter note = 104
Notes: "Dated from advertisement in the Musical Times (1 December 1867:239)" (DM6)
Zimmerman, Agnes; music (English, born in Germany, 1847-1925)
In reference to the published works below: Ives DM6
Reference: Ives, Maura. Christina Rossetti: A Descriptive Bibliography. New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, 2011.
musical score: ChoralWiki, http://www1.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Gone_for_ever_(Agnes_Zimmermann). Accessed 29 January 2020.
"Love came down at Christmas" [Matthew Whittall]
genre: carol|Christmas music|song cycle|choral music|song
Place in the larger work: The fourth song of four in the song cycle called "Christmas Hath a Darkness: Four Carols for Advent," settings of Christina Rossetti poems, including 1. "This Advent Moon"; 2. "Earth grown old"; 3. In the bleak mid-winter"; 4. "Love came down at Christmas."
Tempo markings: "Gentle"; quarter note = 84-88
Other data reference(s): "Biography." Matthew Whittall Composer, http://www.mwhittall.com/about/. Accessed 13 June 2019. "Christmas Hath a Darkness: Four Carols for Advent (2007-2016)." Matthew Whittall Composer, http://www.mwhittall.com/compositions/christmas-hath-a-darkness-four-carols-for-advent-2007-2016/. Accessed 13 June 2019.
2016 [composition]; 2017 [publication] [copyright]
7 pages (pp. 34-40); performance time 3 minutes
First line of lyrics: This Advent moon shines cold and clear
genre: carol|Christmas music|song cycle|choral music
Rossetti poem(s): "Advent" ("This Advent moon shines cold and clear")
Place in the larger work: The first song of four in the song cycle called "Christmas Hath a Darkness: Four Carols for Advent," settings of Christina Rossetti poems, including 1. "This Advent Moon"; 2. "Earth grown old"; 3. In the bleak mid-winter"; 4. "Love came down at Christmas."
Tempo markings: "Calm, but moving"; quarter note = 63-69
5 pages (pp. 7-11); performance time 5 minutes
First line of lyrics: Earth grown old, yet still so green
Rossetti poem(s): "Advent" ("Earth grown old, yet still so green")|"Christmas Eve"
Place in the larger work: The second song of four in the song cycle called "Christmas Hath a Darkness: Four Carols for Advent," settings of Christina Rossetti poems, including 1. "This Advent Moon"; 2. "Earth grown old"; 3. In the bleak mid-winter"; 4. "Love came down at Christmas."
Work contains multiple Christina Rossetti texts
Tempo markings: "Slow, reflective"; quarter note = 60-66
19 pages (pp. 12-30); performance time 5 minutes and 30 seconds
Record: CRM-adventearthgrownold-plus1-whittall
"Oh what comes over the Sea" [Samuel Coleridge-Taylor]
First line of lyrics: Oh what comes over the sea
other version 1 - instrumentation: piano
other version 1 - initial sharps/flats: one sharp
Rossetti poem(s): "Song" ("Oh what comes over the sea")
Place in the larger work: The first song of six in the song cycle called "6 Sorrow Songs," settings of Christina Rossetti poems, which includes 1. "Oh what comes over the Sea"; 2. "When I am dead, my dearest"; 3. "Oh, Roses for the flush of youth"; 4. "She sat and sang alway"; 5. "Unmindful of the Roses"; 6. "Too late for love"
Composition history: "By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co."
Tempo markings: "Allegro, molto apassionato"
Performance history: Debut performance of the song cycle: "1904/V/18; Croydon; Public Hall; Marie Brema, mezzo-soprano" (de Lerma). Performance of the song cycle streamed live on Sep 23, 2020 in a concert at Wigmore Hall, London, with Elizabeth Llewellyn, soprano and Simon Lepper, piano, YouTube, https://youtu.be/KuoYQydNjG4. Accessed 29 Sep. 2020.
Dedication: "To My Wife" [Jessie Coleridge-Taylor]
Notes: The song cycle was arranged with string quartet accompaniment by Cedric Sharpe (British, 1891-1978). (Gooch and Thatcher 4847)
Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel; music (English, 1875-1912)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4847
Other data reference(s): de Lerma, Dominique-René. 46. Works. "Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912)." AfriClassical.com, African Heritage in Classical Music, http://chevalierdesaintgeorges.homestead.com/song.html#46. Accessed 6 Dec. 2018.
Cataloguer: Warren Reid, University of Ottawa
musical score for low voice: University of Victoria Library, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
musical score for high voice: IMSLP Petrucci Music Library, https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ReverseLookup/23607. Accessed 2 Oct. 2018.
London: Augener Ltd.; Paris: Max Eschig; Boston: Boston Music Co.
1904 [publication] [copyright]; 1906 [copyright]
musical score for low voice: "Copyright 1904, by Augener & Co." musical score for high voice: "Copyright 1906, by Augener & Co."
Record: CRM-songohwhatcomes-coleridge-taylor
File(s): CRM-songohwhatcomes-coleridge-taylor-low.pdf; CRM-songohwhatcomes-coleridge-taylor-high-p1.pdf
Place in the larger work: The third song in Part II of the cantata called "Solemn Canticles," which includes Part 1: 1. "Prelude (S. T. Coleridge), 2. "Salutation" (Ancient Egyptian Hymn), 3. "One Alone" (Anonymous), 4. "Light" (George MacDonald), 5. "A Celtic Prayer," 6. "Thanksgiving" (Thomas Traherne), 7. "The Image" (Thomas Traherne), 8. "Hymn of Michael" (Medieval); Part 2: 1. "The Warning" (Medieval), 2. "By the Waters of Babylon" (Christina Rossetti), 3. "Up-hill" (Christina Rossetti), 4. "Litany" (Christina Rossetti), 5. "Song of the Wayfarer" (George MacDonald), 6. "The Invitation" (George Herbert), 7. "O Holy Jesus" (from Christian Ethics) (Thomas Traherne), 8. "Ode to Wisdom" (Bar Desanes [?]), 9. "Epilogue: Let Mine Eyes See Thee" (St. Teresa, trans. by Arthur Symons).
Performance history: First performance at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Kalamazoo, ca. 1970 (Gooch and Thatcher 4839).
Taffs, J. Anthony; music (American, 1916-2005)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4839
Other data reference(s): Houghton, Ralph H. Taffs Music. Albion College, 2007, http://people.albion.edu/ataffs/Default.htm.
Cataloguer: Sarah Pennington, University of Ottawa
"By the Waters of Babylon" [Anthony J. Taffs]
Rossetti poem(s): "'By the waters of Babylon'"
Place in the larger work: The second song in Part II of the cantata called "Solemn Canticles," which includes Part 1: 1. "Prelude (S. T. Coleridge), 2. "Salutation" (Ancient Egyptian Hymn), 3. "One Alone" (Anonymous), 4. "Light" (George MacDonald), 5. "A Celtic Prayer," 6. "Thanksgiving" (Thomas Traherne), 7. "The Image" (Thomas Traherne), 8. "Hymn of Michael" (Medieval); Part 2: 1. "The Warning" (Medieval), 2. "By the Waters of Babylon" (Christina Rossetti), 3. "Up-hill" (Christina Rossetti), 4. "Litany" (Christina Rossetti), 5. "Song of the Wayfarer" (George MacDonald), 6. "The Invitation" (George Herbert), 7. "O Holy Jesus" (from Christian Ethics) (Thomas Traherne), 8. "Ode to Wisdom" (Bar Desanes [?]), 9. "Epilogue: Let Mine Eyes See Thee" (St. Teresa, trans. by Arthur Symons).
"When I am Dead, My Dearest" [Anthony J. Taffs]
First line of lyrics: When I am dead, my dearest
Rossetti poem(s): "Song" ("When I am dead, my dearest")
Notes: From a song collection called "Three Songs," settings of Christina Rossetti poems, which includes 1. "When I am Dead, My Dearest"; 2. "Remember Me"; 3. "Paradise."
musical score: Anthony J. Taffs, https://campus.albion.edu/ataffs/catalog-of-compositions-2/song-cycles-for-soprano-with-piano-accompaniment/. Accessed 30 January 2020.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Three Songs," https://campus.albion.edu/ataffs/files/2014/02/0100b_Three_Songs-1.pdf. Accessed 30 January 2020.
First line of lyrics: Remember me when I am gone away