"Cranham" [Gustav Holst]

"Cranham" [Gustav Holst]

First line of lyrics: In the bleak mid-winter

Holst, Gustav; music (English, 1874-1934)

Rossetti, Christina Georgina; text (English, 1830-1894)

1904-1905 [composition]; 1906 [publication]

London: Oxford University Press

genre: hymn|carol|Christmas music|song|sacred music

chorus: congregational singing

initial sharps/flats: one flat

initial time signature: 4/4

origin: United Kingdom

male composer

English

Rossetti poem(s): "A Christmas Carol" ("In the bleak mid-winter")

Composition history: According to Ives, "The new Hymnal incorporated new hymn texts by CGR and other literary figures, as well as new hymn tunes under the guidance of musical editor Ralph Vaughan Williams, who enlisted Gustav Holst to compose 'Cranham' for 'A Christmas Carol.'" (Ives DH13)

Tempo markings: "In moderate time"; quarter note = 100

Performance instructions: "The metre of this hymn is peculiar. The music as printed is that of the first, and it can easily be adapted to the others."

Notes: This piece is numbered 25 in the English Hymnal, and the lyrics are presented on the page following the music. Ives' bibliography names the tune "A Christmas Carol," but the sheet music only says "Cranham." (Ives DH13)

Format 1: musical score

2 pages

In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4299, Ives DH13

Reference: Gooch, Bryan N.S. and David S. Thatcher. Musical Settings of Early and Mid-Victorian Literature: A Catalogue. New York: Garland, 1979.

Reference: Ives, Maura. Christina Rossetti: A Descriptive Bibliography. New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, 2011.

Reference: Ezust, Emily. The LiederNet Archive. http://www.lieder.net/lieder/index.html

Cataloguer: Emily McConkey, University of Ottawa

musical score: Holst, Gustav. "Cranham." Part I: The Christian Year, Hymn 25, The English Hymnal, Henry Frowde, Amen Corner, 1906, pp. 44-45. Petrucci Music Library, https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ReverseLookup/68303. Accessed 25 January 2019.

Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-holst

File(s): CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-holst.pdf

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