Published: 02 October 2012
Category: Tours & Projects

The world renowned Choir of King's College, Cambridge, has announced a major new recording initiative with a Christmas album, including five world premiere recordings:

• The celebrated choir – under Director of Music, Stephen Cleobury – takes artistic and commercial control of its recording activity as part of long-term media plan

• First disc of Nine Lessons & Carols features traditional carols alongside world premiere recordings of five works commissioned by the College

• Release to unveil brand new carol by distinguished composer, John Rutter, written and recorded especially for the disc

• Second recording to be a comprehensive exploration of the Mozart Requiem

The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, is delighted to announce the launch of a new comprehensive recording plan starting with the first release of Nine Lessons & Carols on 22 October 2012.

Regarded as one of the finest choral groups in the world and a symbol of British musical tradition, the Choir has a long and distinguished recording and broadcasting history. It has released more than one hundred albums with EMI and Decca, selling millions of copies over its long recording history. On radio and television, the Choir’s Christmas services are broadcast by the BBC to a global audience each year in a relationship that stretches back to 1928. In future, the Choir will manage its own recording portfolio and develop its media presence.

Introducing the new initiative, Stephen Cleobury, Director of Music at King’s College, Cambridge, said: “I am delighted that this new development will allow the Choir to spread its wings in terms of recordings, which have been such an integral part of our life going back so many years. We will also be able to record more adventurous repertoire as well as bringing a fresh look at some of the most important pieces from the choral literature.”

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is held on Christmas Eve each year in the magnificent chapel of King’s College. The Choir’s first disc, a double album entitled Nine Lessons & Carols, will include traditional carols along with commissioned carols from the last six years by Mark-Anthony Turnage, Tansy Davies, Dominic Muldowney, Gabriel Jackson, Brett Dean and Einojuhani Rautavaara. Composed specially for the disc is a brand new carol, All Bells in Paradise, by internationally renowned choral composer John Rutter.

About the album, Stephen Cleobury commented: “The Christmas Eve service from King's College, Cambridge has a special resonance with people around the world; for many it heralds the start of Christmas. King’s is delighted to release this recording of Nine Lessons & Carols, which captures the spirit of the Christmas Eve service. Bringing specially commissioned carols onto disc underlines our mission to sustain and renew our great tradition at Christmas-time.”

John Rutter said: “The King's College Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has been inspiring the world ever since its inception, and has played a cherished part in my life for many years, both as a member of the congregation and as composer or arranger of several of the carols included in it. All Bells in Paradise is the third carol I have composed specially for King's College Choir, and I am delighted and honoured that it has been included in this new recording.”

The second release on the new label, slated for a spring 2013 release, will explore Mozart’s Requiem in depth, drawing on the best musical scholarship available, reflecting the College’s role as a place of education, learning and research.

The Choir has worked closely with Intermusica to develop and implement this new initiative. Stephen Lumsden, Managing Director of Intermusica, commented: “In the fast-changing media environment of today, this is absolutely the right moment for the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, to be launching their own label as part of a wider media plan, and we have been delighted to assist them in that. Taking control of their recording programme, choosing the repertoire that is important to both their heritage as well as the here and now, will bring both artistic freedom and control over all aspects of their extensive media life. As one of this country’s iconic cultural and educational institutions, the Choir and College can look forward to exciting developments in the future.”

Nine Lessons & Carols will be available from all good record stores and for digital download from 22 October 2012.

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