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Donald Macleod visits the home of Jane Austen with historian Amanda Vickery to see how Georgian households liked to amuse themselves with music and games during the holidays.

Donald Macleod visits the home of Jane Austen with historian Amanda Vickery to discover some of the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain.

Christmas has always been a time to spend at home, with friends and family. Donald and Amanda look at how households amused themselves during the festive holidays, with music making and traditional party games.

Jarman: There were shepherds abiding
Psalmody
The Parley of Instruments, conducted by Peter Holman

John Wainwright: Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Luke Green, organ
Psalmody, conducted by Peter Holman

Pleyel: Symphony No.12 in E flat, III. Menuetto & IV. Rondo
NTO Tonkünstlerorchester, conducted by Carlos Kalmar

Wesley: Rondo on God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
Timothy Roberts, fortepiano

Handel: Messiah (excerpt from part II)
Elizabeth Watts, soprano
Catherine Wyn-Rogers, alto
Mark Le Brocq, tenor
James Oldfield, bass
Huddersfield Choral Society
Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Jane Glover

26 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Thomas Jarman

    There were Shepherds abiding in the fields

    Orchestra: The Parley of Instruments. Choir: Psalmody. Director: Peter Holman.
    • HYPERION : 5814032.
    • HYPERION.
    • 11.
  • John Wainwright

    Christians, Awake!

    Performer: Luke Green. Choir: Psalmody. Director: Peter Holman.
    • Hyperion: CDA 67443.
    • Hyperion.
    • 15.
  • Ignace Joseph Pleyel

    Symphony in E flat major, B134 (3rd & 4th mvts)

    Orchestra: Tonkunstler Orchestra. Conductor: Carlos Kalmar.
    • ORF : CD-267.
    • ORF.
    • 11.
  • Samuel Wesley

    Rondo on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

    Performer: Timothy Roberts.
    • HYPERION : 5814032.
    • HYPERION.
    • 12.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Messiah, Part 2 (excerpts)

    Choir: Huddersfield Choral Society. Orchestra: Royal Northern Sinfonia. Conductor: Jane Glover. Singer: Elizabeth Watts. Singer: Catherine Wyn-Rogers. Singer: Mark le Brocq. Singer: James Oldfield.
    • SIGNUM : SIGCD-246.
    • SIGNUM.
    • 32.

Broadcast

  • Christmas Day 2025 16:00

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