During the years 1968-1983, Fred Swann was director of music at the Riverside Church, New York City, where he had been appointed organist in 1957 with Virgil Fox. New York experienced its golden age of church music during Frederick Swann's tenure at Riverside, where the program was large and distinguished. During October through May, the choir rehearsed two nights a week and Sunday afternoons before oratorio performances. In addition to Sunday morning services, which included a minimum of two anthems plus sung liturgy and responses, the choir performed a major choral work on three Sunday afternoons of each month. On this special, 3-CD set, Frederick Swann conducts all of the performances and plays the organ, conducting from the console, for most of them. Other organists include John C. Walker, Robert MacDonald, and Jerry Brainard. The Festival of Lessons and Carols is conducted in the manner of King's College, Cambridge, and the recording includes the basic elements of the service as it was conducted at Riverside 1966-82. The CD booklet includes the texts, notes on music at Riverside and Frederick Swann's tenure there, a list of important music programs in New York ca. 1950-1983. Festival of Lessons and Carols Once in Royal David's City Up! Good Christian, arr. Woodward The Lord at first, arr. Willcocks The Holly & the Ivy, arr. Rutter Unto us is born a Son, arr. Willcocks Jesus Child, arr. Rutter The Hunter, arr. Brahms Mary's Lullaby, arr. Rutter What is this fragrance, arr. Huston Come, Marie, Elisabette, arr. Dickinson O come, all ye faithful To Bethlehem, arr. Williams Christmas Hark! The herald angels sing Puer natus, arr. Hoddinott Torches, arr. Matthews Hush, my dear, arr. Slater Lo, the Messiah, arr. Castelnuovo-Tedesco Mary had a baby, arr. Dawson Shepherds, Shake off, arr. MacDonald Saw you never, arr. Friedell Noel we sing: Daquin O little town of Bethlehem Star carol: Rutter Love Came Down at Christmas: Sowerby Joy to the World Hymns Praise to the Lord The Lord's my shepherd Ye holy angels bright Fairest Lord Jesus Praise the Lord! Ye heavens Our God, our help God that madest earth and heaven Form all that dwell Anthems My song shall be alway: Sampson Come, Holy Ghost: Davie There is a balm in Gilead: Dawson Let us with a gladsom mind: Ridout Prologue to The Apostles: Elgar Festival Te Deum: Vaughan Williams Evening Hymn: Gardiner Palm Sunday All glory, laud, an honor The way to Jerusalem: Friedell Holy Week Choral variations on "Ah, holy Jesus": Petrich O vos omnes: Casals Easter The joyful Eastertide: Wyton Christ the Lord is risen today Christ our Passover: Dirksen |