December the Seventh - Star Carol
I'm delighted that in my lifetime the music of John Rutter has crept in, embracing Christmas carol settings for choirs, he has crafted dozens of new arrangements of existing carols and written many original carols. I've been privileged to play a part in the orchestral accompaniment many times in large venues such as Cheltenham Town Hall and Gloucester Cathedral and it always gives me that fuzzy Christmassy feeling. The one carol that sticks out in my mind is the Star Carol especially with the flute flourish, but it's hard to choose just one. As Rutter's music is played in concerts in various halls, other than church buildings, I am thankful that the wider world is hearing words about the Christ child. The John Rutter Christmas Album can be found here on YouTube.
This is my favourite version of the Star Carol on account we have a full choir and orchestra, listen out for the flute, and also verse 3 with it's subtle darkening of mood contrasting the mother's tenderness and shepherds' poverty with the fanfare-like flourishes of the remainder.
Julie Feltham