The Shepherd's Carol (2010)

The words of The Shepherd’s Carol are those also set by Bob Chilcott: ‘We stood on the hills, Lady, Our day’s work done’, attributed to the prolific ‘Anon.’ – though it is sometimes attributed to Clive Sansom (1910–81). Bennett’s musical language in this piece, though still tonal/modal, is more challenging than his other pieces reviewed here. There are plenty of ‘footholds’, however: places where the singers can secure themselves because they come together and start off again on a unison, or simple chord. While Bennett’s unaccompanied choral music looks unpromising on the page and even if it seems little better when played through on the piano, it will nevertheless spring to life when sung as intended.