Esterhazy Chamber Choir - Carols

Irving Berlin used to write songs through the night. Early in 1940 he ran into his office after one such session and told his secretary “Grab a pen quickly. I just wrote the best song I ever wrote. Hell, no, I just wrote the best song anyone ever wrote.” The first recording of the song, by Bing Crosby, has since sold over 50 million copies, more than any other record. Countless names have covered it, from Dean Martin to Stiff Little Fingers, via Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Idol and Engelbert Humperdinck. The song, as you’ll by now have guessed, is White Christmas, and it is one of a number of festive tunes - mainly carols - which will be performed this evening in the Westgate Chapel. This is the third year in succession that the choir has performed their Carols by Candlelight in the chapel. Billed as ‘the perfect antidote to the Christmas rush’ the concert is free.

Other songs include Ding Dong Merrily on High, versions of I Sing the Birth by both Elgar and Parry, O Come all ye Faithful, and Away in a Manger. Clive Osgood is accompanying the choir on piano, certain songs invite audience participation, including the latter two. It sounds like a charming way to spend the evening, but be warned, you’ll probably have ‘White Christmas’ running round your head for days. And the chances of a real white Christmas? Paddy Power are offering 7-1, and 20-1 against. It’s quite likely to rain, though, just like it really did in the ones you used to know. AG