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Merrily on High: History of the English Christmas Carol with Peter Medhurst
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The Christmas Carol is a song that celebrates the birth of Christ and emerged in the Middle Ages, around the time that Geoffrey Chaucer (1340s-1400) was writing his celebrated works. Rather like folksongs, Christmas carols are found in every period, their words and tunes developing and changing with the character of successive generations.
Our conversation tells the history of the carol and among those discussed and performed will be: The Boar’s Head Carol which alludes to a legend involving the 15th century Oxford Scholar, John Copcot, who after defending himself against the attack of a wild boar by forcing a book of Aristotle down its throat, severed the head and impaled it on his staff as he trudged to Horspath Church to celebrate Christmas Mass; I Saw Three Ships, which recalls the three Wise Men whose mortal remains made their final journey to Cologne Cathedral in 1166; and Ding Dong Merrily on High! which was originally a popular dance in 16th century France, which involved the man tossing his lady partner high into the air! This is a live lecture delivered from the piano.
Peter Medhurst appears in the UK and abroad as musician and scholar, giving recitals and delivering illustrated lectures on music and the arts. He studied composition and early keyboard instruments at the Royal College of Music in London, and singing with Erik Werba at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He is known today for his lecture-recital work which has taken him to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, as well as to all the major cities in Europe. He lectures for The Arts Society, The National Trust, and The Art Fund. Peter also leads tours abroad to places like Venice, Rome, Berlin, Vienna, and Madrid, and as part of the time spent exploring these places he gives organ recitals on the historic instruments in the various cathedrals and churches.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Peter Medford, as always, is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenter of fascinating information about music, in this case the history of Christmas Carols. No matter how much you know and love carols, you'll learn a lot from this time with Peter.
My favorite lecture so far. Peter Medhurst is a first-rate raconteur, musician and music historian. Thoroughly instructive and entertaining. I'll be watching for more of his presentations.
As usual with Peter, a superb review of the history and origins of English Christmas carols. Both erudite and down to earth, an absolute delight of a seminar!
very informative as well as entertaining. Good job.
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