THE CHRISTMAS STORY

Music by Thomas Hewitt Jones, narrated by Stephen Fry

Scottish Session Orchestra, Choristers of St Martin-in-the-Fields, directed by Andrew Earis 

An orchestral retelling of the Christmas Story, as told by the Gospel of Luke, narrated by acclaimed actor, broadcaster, comedian, presenter, writer and national treasure Stephen Fry, with the Scottish Session Orchestra and Choristers of St Martin-in-the-Fields, directed by Andrew Earis.

Written as a dramatic retelling of the Nativity, the journey to the manger is depicted through symphonic orchestration, dramatic underscore and soaring melody. The final culmination of the piece is a warm, life-affirming rendition of ‘Silent Night’ with choir and orchestra, during which audiences and congregations are invited to sing along with the melody line. Scored for Narrator, Orchestra and Choir joining for the last movement, it is a rich, multicoloured musical setting of the Christmas story according to Luke’s Gospel.

Composer Thomas Hewitt Jones says, ‘The Christmas Story’ was commissioned in 2019 by Canto Deo choirs and orchestra in Denver, Colorado. I have always been extremely passionate about the excitement of Christmas, and the feeling of rebirth that comes afresh each year. Therefore, when Canto Deo approached me earlier that year with a view to commissioning a through-composed orchestral setting of the beautiful text from Luke’s Gospel (King James version), I was delighted to accept. I through-composed the piece from start to finish, and the result is, I hope, a very warm, emotive, Hollywood-esque depiction of the enchanting Nativity story that has inspired so many generations. When the opportunity came to make this recording with the fantastic Scottish Session Orchestra, I approached national treasure Stephen Fry, with whom I had the pleasure of working during the London 2012 Olympics, and was delighted that he gave the text a customarily poignant reading. The work finishes with a quietly passionate rendition of ‘Silent Night’, sung by the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields, conducted by Andrew Earis.’

The Christmas Story is available now on all major streaming platforms. The orchestral score is published in the UK by Stainer & Bell https://stainer.co.uk/shop/hl454/

(Stephen Fry image by Elliott Spencer)