A Christmas Carol Symphony
(Version for full orchestra)

''The Christmas Carol Symphony grew from the pot-pourri of seasonal tunes - with which I would entertain my children - becoming an illustration of the framework of a typical 18th century symphony. It was build for family amusement in the winter of 1978, and then orchestrated and the first performed in a broadcast on Christmas Eve 1979 by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Ashley Lawrence. I am greatly endebited to Sir Ernest Hall whose interest in the piece has contributed substantially to making a recording."

The first movement (Vivace) features the Welsh song Deck the Halls, Ding-Dong Merrily on High which came from Arbeau's Orchésographie of 1588, and the traditional tune God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen. A peaceful second movement (Andante tranquillo) is built around W.J. Kirkpatrick's 1895 tune for Away in a Manger and the 15th century melody made famous by Michael Pretorius early in the 17th century, Behold a Rose is Springing. A lively March introduces the traditional tunes Past Three O'Clock, the Sans Day or St Day Carol collected in Gwennap, Cornwall, and a Gloucester tune The Holly and the Ivy collected by Cecil Sharp. The Rondo finale begins with On Christmas Night, a tune collected in Sussex by Vaughan Williams, the traditional song I Saw Three Ships, and several others including Christians Awake, a tune by John Wainwright known as 'Stockport' dating from 1750, and the traditional American tune We wish you a merry Christmas!

The symphony received its first performance on Christmas Eve 1979 by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Ashley Lawrence as a broadcast for BBC Radio 3, and subsequently became a firm seasonal favourite.

It was recorded by the Prague Philharmonic under the direction of Gavin Sutherland especially for Naxos in 2002.

'An ingenious piece, as clever as Prokofiev's Classical Symphony with the addition of all the well-known Christmas tunes. . . ' (Classical Music) 'Here is the hand of a true symphonic craftsman off duty, with colour, wit and imagination in his veins . . . a masterly blending of a galaxy of carols.' (Donald Webster, Yorkshire Post)