CHRISTMAS LULLABY op.413 (April 1990)

Duet for soprano, mezzo-soprano and orchestra
Published by: Highbridge Music Ltd
Commissioned by: Classic FM radio
Instrumentation: 1010 - 0000 - strings (or pno)
[Key to Abbreviations]
Note on Lyrics: Lyrics by Howard Blake
Duration: 5:15
First Performance: Christmas Eve 1990 on Classic FM, Emma Bell (soprano) and  Helen Lloyd (mezzo soprano) with an RAM ensemble conducted by the composer.
Sheet Music Available
Full score for sale
Study score for sale
Orchestral parts for sale
Piano / Vocal score for sale
Full score for hire
Study score for hire
Orchestral parts for hire
Recordings Available
Recording available by request

Notes

To celebrate their first Christmas on air in 1990 Classic FM commissioned the composer Howard Blake to write a seasonal duet to be performed on Christmas Eve. Howard wrote both music and lyrics and the performance was broadcast from The Duke's Hall of The Royal Academy by Emma Bell (soprano), Helen Lloyd (mezzo soprano) and an RAM ensemble of flute, clarinet and strings which was conducted by the composer.

Later, in 1993 when Howard was creating the Snowman Stage Show at the Birmighham Rep he decided to create a scene with carol singers and adapted this 'Christmss Lullaby' to be used as the carol. It has been sung in the long-running Christmas show of The Snowman at Sadlers Wells' Peacock Theatre ever since and been heard by more than a million people.




Performances

20th December 2019 Nadine Benjamin soprano and Danae Elena Mezzo-soprano, St. Pauls Covent Garden 1.00-2.00pm

A performance of the duet originally composed for the first Christmas of Classic FM

7th January 2007 Benedict Williams and George Wood (trebles from King's College, director Stephen Cleobury)CPO conducted by the composer, Corn Exchange Cambridge
16th December 2006
- 17th December 2006
Kamloops Thompson Honour Choir and Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, cond. Bruce Rodney Dunn, Sagebrush Theatre, Kamloops. BC Canada
8th December 1991 Wren Orchestra / Cantamus / Howard Blake, Barbican Centre, London

Related Works


'THE SNOWMAN STAGE SHOW (TWELVE-PLAYER VERSION)' op.459 (September 1993) (Audio Sample Available)
A full-evening theatre show in two acts, based on the book by Raymond Briggs, the film by TVC and incorporating the music of the ballet (arranged here for 12 instruments)
'CHRISTMAS LULLABY' op.433 (October 1991)
A re-arrangement for chorus and orchestra of op.413 commissioned by the BBC
'CHRISTMAS LULLABY' op.502 (August 1997)
A re-arrangement of op. 413 for SATB choir and organ
'CRADLE SONG for two trebles and orchestra' op.545 (April 2005)
An arrangement of "Christmas Lullaby" op. 413 with a secular lyric

Related Autobiography Chapters


CHRISTMAS LULLABY for 2 sopranos and ensemble. JUBILATE DEO for choir and organ (1990)

[Back to top]