A Medieval Christmas

Series

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

2023

Blowe, Northerne Wynd

20231204

20251208 (R3)

Medieval carols and the story of St Nicholas, with Donald Macleod.

Today, Donald and William introduce carols from Finland and Winter songs in Old English. Plus we discover the original story of St Nicholas, before he became the Santa Claus figure we know today.

Anon. Gaudete

Steeleye Span

Anon. Personent hodie; Gaudete; Omnis mundus jucundetur

Retrover Ensemble, directed by Markus Tapio

Perotin: Alleluia Nativitas

The Hilliard Ensemble, directed by Paul Hillier

Miri it is while sumer ilast

Blowe, Northerne Wynd (arr. William Lyons)

Voice Trio

The Dufay Collective

Seint Nicholas was borne in the citee of Patras; Cantu mirro, summa laude; Sainte nicholaes; Salve cleri speculum - Salve iubar presulum

Anonymous 4

Dufay: Ce jour de l'an

Alta Bellezza

Donald Macleod and William Lyons introduce carols from Finland and Winter songs in Old English. And we discover the original story of St Nicholas, before he became Santa Claus.

Mediaeval carols and the story of St. Nicholas, with Donald Macleod.

Christmas celebrations encompassed a great variety of colourful traditions and musical occasions during medieval times. Peasants and nobles alike could look forward to many weeks of festivities, from Advent at the start of December, right through to Candlemas on 2nd February. Some of those customs we still recognise and celebrate today. Many are now lost or significantly altered. Donald is joined by early music expert, William Lyons, to examine how Christmas might have felt and sounded to our mediaeval ancestors.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

[LISTEN NOW]

2023

Daniel And The Feast Of Fools

20231205

20251209 (R3)

Donald Macleod investigates some unusual festive celebrations, popular in the Middle Ages.

Today, Donald and William look at how churches in the Middle Ages used theatre to press home their Christmas messages, plus they focus their attention on the much misunderstood church festival of the ‘Feast of Fools'.

Orientis partibus

Ensemble Obsidienne, directed by Emmanuel Bonnardot,

Ensemble Discantus, directed by Brigitte Lesne

The Play of Daniel (Ludus Danielis): Prelude & extracts from Part 1

The Dufay Collective, directed by William Lyons

Hec est Clara dies

Procedenti puero

Pérotin: Salvatoris hodie

Diabolus In Musica

The Play of Daniel (Ludus Danielis): Extracts from Part 2

Donald Macleod and William Lyons look at how churches in the Middle Ages used theatre to press home their Christmas messages.

Christmas celebrations encompassed a great variety of colourful traditions and musical occasions during mediaeval times. Peasants and nobles alike could look forward to many weeks of festivities, from Advent at the start of December, right through to Candlemas on 2nd February. Some of those customs we still recognise and celebrate today. Many are now lost or significantly altered. Donald is joined by early music expert, William Lyons, to examine how Christmas might have felt and sounded to our mediaeval ancestors.

Today, Donald and William look at how churches in the Middle Ages used theatre to press home their Christmas messages, plus they focus their attention the much misunderstood church festival of the ‘Feast of Fools'.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

[LISTEN NOW]

2023

Christmas At Notre Dame

20231206

20251210 (R3)

Donald Macleod explores musical innovations at Paris's newly built gothic cathedral.

The gothic architectural wonder that is Notre Dame Cathedral first rose above the streets of Paris during the 12th and 13th centuries. The composers employed there, to write music for this brand new building, were working at the cutting edge of mediaeval musical thought. Today, Donald and William introduce sacred Christmas music from mediaeval Notre Dame and discuss what makes it so extraordinary.

Dum sigillum summi patris [instrumental]

Ensemble Anonymus

Perotin: Viderunt Omnes

The Hilliard Ensemble, dir. Paul Hillier

Hodie Christus natus est

Viderunt Emmanuel

Lux hodie, Lux leticie

Ensemble Discantus, directed by Brigitte Lesne

Psallat chorus; Eximie pater et regie; Aptatur

Descendit de cælis

In natali Domini

Isaias Cecinit

Perotin: Sederunt Principes

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

[LISTEN NOW]

2023

Christmas At Notre-dame

20231206

Donald Macleod explores musical innovations at Paris's newly built gothic cathedral

The gothic architectural wonder that is Notre-Dame Cathedral first rose above the streets of Paris during the 12th and 13th centuries. The composers employed there, to write music for this brand new building, were working at the cutting edge of medieval musical thought. Today, Donald and William introduce sacred Christmas music from medieval Notre-Dame and discuss what makes it so extraordinary.

Dum sigillum summi patris [instrumental]

Ensemble Anonymus

Perotin: Viderunt Omnes

The Hilliard Ensemble, dir. Paul Hillier

Hodie Christus natus est

Viderunt Emmanuel

Lux hodie, Lux leticie

Ensemble Discantus, directed by Brigitte Lesne

Psallat chorus; Eximie pater et regie; Aptatur

Descendit de cælis

In natali Domini

Isaias Cecinit

Perotin: Sederunt Principes

Donald Macleod and William Lyons introduce sacred Christmas music written for the newly built Notre-Dame and discuss what makes it so extraordinary.

2023

The Cult Of The Virgin

20231207

20251211 (R3)

Donald Macleod presents songs for Mary and lullabies to the infant Jesus.

Mary, mother of Jesus, became a huge figure of veneration during the Middle Ages, particularly during the Christmas period. In today's programme, Donald and William explore the wealth of medieval music written in Mary's honour, and the emerging tradition of lullabies to the infant Jesus.

Verbum patris umanatur O O

Sequentia, directed by Barbara Thornton and Benjamin Bagby

Edi beo thu hevene-queene

John Potter, tenor

The Dufay Collective, directed by William Lyons

Angelus ad virginem

Gothic Voices

Ecce quod natura

Ther is no rose of swych vertu

Anonymous 4

Verbum Patris humanatur

Ensemble Discantus directed by Brigitte Lesne

Verbum Patris (intrumental)

William Lyons, Nicholas Perry

Thys endere nyght

Voice Trio

Ave Maris Stella

Ensemble Gilles Binchois, directed by Dominique Vellard

Donald Macleod and William Lyons explore the wealth of medieval music written in Mary's honour, and the emerging tradition of lullabies to the infant Jesus.

Mary, mother of Jesus, became a huge figure of veneration during the Middle Ages, particularly during the Christmas period. In today's programme, Donald and William explore the wealth of mediaeval music written in Mary's honour, and the emerging tradition of lullabies to the infant Jesus.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

[LISTEN NOW]

2023

05 LAST

Carols And Revelries

20231208

20251212 (R3)

Donald Macleod presents seasonal music for dancing, feasting and social occasions.

In their final programme, Donald and William explore community Christmas traditions during the Middle Ages. Including carol singing, Christmas plays and gift giving.

Nowell, owt of youre sleep aryse

Adam lay ibowndyn (arr. William Lyons)

Ye have so longe kepe schepe (instrumental)

Voice Trio

The Dufay Collective, directed by William Lyons

Nowell, nowell, nowell

Gothic Voices

Hayl Mary ful of grace

Coventry Carol

The King's Singers

Halle: Dieus soit en cheste maison

Sequentia

Dufay: Bonjour, bon mois

Ensemble Allégorie

Lantins, A: Ce jour de l'an, belle je vous supply

Le miroir de musique, directed by Baptiste Romain

Dufay: Ce jour de l'an

The Hilliard Ensemble

Gresley Dances (arr. William Lyons)

Donald Macleod and William Lyons explore community Christmas traditions during the Middle Ages, including carol singing, Christmas plays and gift giving.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Series	Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
2023	01	Blowe, Northerne Wynd	20231204	20251208 (R3)	Medieval carols and the story of St Nicholas, with Donald Macleod. Today, Donald and William introduce carols from Finland and Winter songs in Old English. Plus we discover the original story of St Nicholas, before he became the Santa Claus figure we know today. Anon. Gaudete Steeleye Span Anon. Personent hodie; Gaudete; Omnis mundus jucundetur Retrover Ensemble, directed by Markus Tapio Perotin: Alleluia Nativitas The Hilliard Ensemble, directed by Paul Hillier Miri it is while sumer ilast Blowe, Northerne Wynd (arr. William Lyons) Voice Trio The Dufay Collective Seint Nicholas was borne in the citee of Patras; Cantu mirro, summa laude; Sainte nicholaes; Salve cleri speculum - Salve iubar presulum Anonymous 4 Dufay: Ce jour de l'an Alta Bellezza Donald Macleod and William Lyons introduce carols from Finland and Winter songs in Old English. And we discover the original story of St Nicholas, before he became Santa Claus. Mediaeval carols and the story of St. Nicholas, with Donald Macleod. Christmas celebrations encompassed a great variety of colourful traditions and musical occasions during medieval times. Peasants and nobles alike could look forward to many weeks of festivities, from Advent at the start of December, right through to Candlemas on 2nd February. Some of those customs we still recognise and celebrate today. Many are now lost or significantly altered. Donald is joined by early music expert, William Lyons, to examine how Christmas might have felt and sounded to our mediaeval ancestors. An informative guide to composers' lives and their music. [LISTEN NOW]
2023	02	Daniel And The Feast Of Fools	20231205	20251209 (R3)	Donald Macleod investigates some unusual festive celebrations, popular in the Middle Ages. Today, Donald and William look at how churches in the Middle Ages used theatre to press home their Christmas messages, plus they focus their attention on the much misunderstood church festival of the ‘Feast of Fools'. Orientis partibus Ensemble Obsidienne, directed by Emmanuel Bonnardot, Ensemble Discantus, directed by Brigitte Lesne The Play of Daniel (Ludus Danielis): Prelude & extracts from Part 1 The Dufay Collective, directed by William Lyons Hec est Clara dies Procedenti puero Pérotin: Salvatoris hodie Diabolus In Musica The Play of Daniel (Ludus Danielis): Extracts from Part 2 Donald Macleod and William Lyons look at how churches in the Middle Ages used theatre to press home their Christmas messages. Christmas celebrations encompassed a great variety of colourful traditions and musical occasions during mediaeval times. Peasants and nobles alike could look forward to many weeks of festivities, from Advent at the start of December, right through to Candlemas on 2nd February. Some of those customs we still recognise and celebrate today. Many are now lost or significantly altered. Donald is joined by early music expert, William Lyons, to examine how Christmas might have felt and sounded to our mediaeval ancestors. Today, Donald and William look at how churches in the Middle Ages used theatre to press home their Christmas messages, plus they focus their attention the much misunderstood church festival of the ‘Feast of Fools'. An informative guide to composers' lives and their music. [LISTEN NOW]
2023	03	Christmas At Notre Dame	20231206	20251210 (R3)	Donald Macleod explores musical innovations at Paris's newly built gothic cathedral. Christmas celebrations encompassed a great variety of colourful traditions and musical occasions during medieval times. Peasants and nobles alike could look forward to many weeks of festivities, from Advent at the start of December, right through to Candlemas on 2nd February. Some of those customs we still recognise and celebrate today. Many are now lost or significantly altered. Donald is joined by early music expert, William Lyons, to examine how Christmas might have felt and sounded to our mediaeval ancestors. The gothic architectural wonder that is Notre Dame Cathedral first rose above the streets of Paris during the 12th and 13th centuries. The composers employed there, to write music for this brand new building, were working at the cutting edge of mediaeval musical thought. Today, Donald and William introduce sacred Christmas music from mediaeval Notre Dame and discuss what makes it so extraordinary. Dum sigillum summi patris [instrumental] Ensemble Anonymus Perotin: Viderunt Omnes The Hilliard Ensemble, dir. Paul Hillier Hodie Christus natus est Viderunt Emmanuel Lux hodie, Lux leticie Ensemble Discantus, directed by Brigitte Lesne Psallat chorus; Eximie pater et regie; Aptatur Descendit de cælis In natali Domini Isaias Cecinit Perotin: Sederunt Principes An informative guide to composers' lives and their music. [LISTEN NOW]
2023	03	Christmas At Notre-dame	20231206		Donald Macleod explores musical innovations at Paris's newly built gothic cathedral The gothic architectural wonder that is Notre-Dame Cathedral first rose above the streets of Paris during the 12th and 13th centuries. The composers employed there, to write music for this brand new building, were working at the cutting edge of medieval musical thought. Today, Donald and William introduce sacred Christmas music from medieval Notre-Dame and discuss what makes it so extraordinary. Dum sigillum summi patris [instrumental] Ensemble Anonymus Perotin: Viderunt Omnes The Hilliard Ensemble, dir. Paul Hillier Hodie Christus natus est Viderunt Emmanuel Lux hodie, Lux leticie Ensemble Discantus, directed by Brigitte Lesne Psallat chorus; Eximie pater et regie; Aptatur Descendit de cælis In natali Domini Isaias Cecinit Perotin: Sederunt Principes Donald Macleod and William Lyons introduce sacred Christmas music written for the newly built Notre-Dame and discuss what makes it so extraordinary.
2023	04	The Cult Of The Virgin	20231207	20251211 (R3)	Donald Macleod presents songs for Mary and lullabies to the infant Jesus. Mary, mother of Jesus, became a huge figure of veneration during the Middle Ages, particularly during the Christmas period. In today's programme, Donald and William explore the wealth of medieval music written in Mary's honour, and the emerging tradition of lullabies to the infant Jesus. Verbum patris umanatur O O Sequentia, directed by Barbara Thornton and Benjamin Bagby Edi beo thu hevene-queene John Potter, tenor The Dufay Collective, directed by William Lyons Angelus ad virginem Gothic Voices Ecce quod natura Ther is no rose of swych vertu Anonymous 4 Verbum Patris humanatur Ensemble Discantus directed by Brigitte Lesne Verbum Patris (intrumental) William Lyons, Nicholas Perry Thys endere nyght Voice Trio Ave Maris Stella Ensemble Gilles Binchois, directed by Dominique Vellard Donald Macleod and William Lyons explore the wealth of medieval music written in Mary's honour, and the emerging tradition of lullabies to the infant Jesus. Christmas celebrations encompassed a great variety of colourful traditions and musical occasions during mediaeval times. Peasants and nobles alike could look forward to many weeks of festivities, from Advent at the start of December, right through to Candlemas on 2nd February. Some of those customs we still recognise and celebrate today. Many are now lost or significantly altered. Donald is joined by early music expert, William Lyons, to examine how Christmas might have felt and sounded to our mediaeval ancestors Mary, mother of Jesus, became a huge figure of veneration during the Middle Ages, particularly during the Christmas period. In today's programme, Donald and William explore the wealth of mediaeval music written in Mary's honour, and the emerging tradition of lullabies to the infant Jesus. An informative guide to composers' lives and their music. [LISTEN NOW]
2023	05 LAST	Carols And Revelries	20231208	20251212 (R3)	Donald Macleod presents seasonal music for dancing, feasting and social occasions. In their final programme, Donald and William explore community Christmas traditions during the Middle Ages. Including carol singing, Christmas plays and gift giving. Nowell, owt of youre sleep aryse Adam lay ibowndyn (arr. William Lyons) Ye have so longe kepe schepe (instrumental) Voice Trio The Dufay Collective, directed by William Lyons Nowell, nowell, nowell Gothic Voices Hayl Mary ful of grace Coventry Carol The King's Singers Halle: Dieus soit en cheste maison Sequentia Dufay: Bonjour, bon mois Ensemble Allégorie Lantins, A: Ce jour de l'an, belle je vous supply Le miroir de musique, directed by Baptiste Romain Dufay: Ce jour de l'an The Hilliard Ensemble Gresley Dances (arr. William Lyons) Donald Macleod and William Lyons explore community Christmas traditions during the Middle Ages, including carol singing, Christmas plays and gift giving. Christmas celebrations encompassed a great variety of colourful traditions and musical occasions during mediaeval times. Peasants and nobles alike could look forward to many weeks of festivities, from Advent at the start of December, right through to Candlemas on 2nd February. Some of those customs we still recognise and celebrate today. Many are now lost or significantly altered. Donald is joined by early music expert, William Lyons, to examine how Christmas might have felt and sounded to our mediaeval ancestors An informative guide to composers' lives and their music. [LISTEN NOW]