Three Carols

The three carols in this new collection date from the early years of the twentieth century, but they have a perennial freshness that is typical of Darke’s other enduring choral works, such as the much-loved carol In the bleak midwinter. They may be sung equally effectively as individual items, or together as a short anthology of seasonal music. A solo voice or unison singing would be equally effective in Cradle Hymn, which offers a refreshingly unfamiliar tune to time-honoured words. A Christmas Carmen makes for a rousing conclusion with a seasonal message of goodwill.