When Christ Was Born celebrates the birth of the Christ Child in a 21-minute choral setting of eight (8) early Christmas carol texts scored for mixed chorus, soprano and baritone soloists and harp accompaniment. Of the work, McCullough explains: “The bulk of the work’s texts come from 15th and 16th century England, a time when the texts of Christmas carols were more poetic and less literal, exhibiting a charm and quaintness that I find hard to resist. I wanted the music to not only reference the text’s late Middle Ages origins but also sound fresh when heard by today’s and tomorrow’s audiences.”
1. Whereas Adam Caused by Sin
2. Sun of Righteousness
3. The Flow’r of Jesse available separately McMP104-1
4. So Blessed a Sight
5. When Christ Was Born
6. Carol of the Birds
7. It Was Thy Day, Sweet!
8. Wonder Tidings
Commissioned by Brian and Marian Rian Hays in loving memory of their son, Cameron Rian Hays.
Audio samples are from the world premiere performance by the Washington Master Chorale; Thomas Colohan, conductor; Marian Rian Hays, harpist; Richard Giarusso, baritone; Rachel Carlson, soprano
| Voicing: | SSAATTBB; solos soprano and baritone |
| Accompaniment: | Harp or Piano (separate harp part required) |
| Texts: | Mostly 15th & 16th century English carol texts |
| Duration: | 21 minutes, 30 seconds |
| Difficulty: | Medium |
Tags: Accompaniment, Advent / Christmas, Harp, Over 20 minutes, Sacred: Concert Music, SATB with divisi
Errata
Harp or Piano Accompaniment
When Christ Was Born can be performed with piano accompaniment using the Choral/Piano score.
When performing with harp accompaniment, the conductor uses the Choral/Piano Score, but a separate harp part is required for the harpist. (Note: There are only slight variations between the piano and harp accompaniments, mostly related to harp glissandi.)
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