Stephen Fry

Award-winning British composer Thomas Hewitt Jones, who has an unashamed love for Christmas and Christmas music, has released a selection of new music for the festive season – from carols for choirs to a dramatic retelling of the Christmas Story, featuring Stephen Fry. Plus a few “Christmas crackers” to entertain and delight…..

Onward We Go

A tuneful, warm and nostalgic tribute to the Christmas story, scored for the children’s touchingly young voices with piano, electric bass and instrumentalists. Words by Gordon Giles, Canon of Rochester Cathedral. Performed by the children’s choir of St Stephen’s Church, Dulwich, directed by Caroline Lenton-Ward. Sheet music available from Stainer & Bell.

The Christmas Story, narrated by Stephen Fry

A dramatic 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. Score published by Stainer & Bell.

The Christmas Story will be broadcast on ClassicFM at 6.45pm on Christmas Eve.

The Funny Snowman

From the composer who brought us TikTok sensation ‘Funny Song’, comes another catchy, toe-tapping tune. ‘The Funny Snowman’ has a wonderfully nostalgic vibe, with vocals reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, a “tap dance” section worthy of Morecombe and Wise, and memorable, singalong lyrics which are sure to bring Christmas cheer and merriment. Words by Gordon Giles, Canon of Rochester Cathedral, sung by Freddie Benedict.

Christmas Delivery

Thomas Hewitt Jones says, ‘I am traditionally a last-minute present buyer and wrapper, and the couple of days before Christmas in my family have often been appropriately fraught. I wanted to write an unashamedly light-hearted orchestral encore in the same vein as the orchestral pops of composers such as Leroy Anderson – depicting the mad Christmas rush leading up to the 25th each December. If you listen carefully, you can hear Santa in his sleigh in the sky above, dashing through snowy skies, as the warmth of Christmas is evident to the end.‘

Played by the Scottish Session Orchestra

Camel Carol

The three Magi defer to their trusty steeds in Thomas Hewitt Jones’s hilarious Camel Carol – a perfect offering for choirs this Christmas. Scored for SATB voices and organ, Camel Carol is a light-hearted yet theologically serious take on the visit of the Three Wise Men with their precious gifts, from a trio of grumpy yet not unperspicacious dromedaries. Words by Gordon Giles, Canon of Rochester Cathedral. Sheet music available from Stainer & Bell.

A Child’s Christmas

A collection of orchestral music for Christmas by British composers, curated by Philip Lane, ‘the doyen of light music’ (Gramophone), expertly played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Works by Victor Hely-Hutchinson, Gordon Thornett, Adam Saunders, Thomas Hewitt Jones, Roy Moore, Bryan Kelly, John Lanchbery, and Philip Lane. Performed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Barry Wordsworth & Gavin Sutherland and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Julian Bigg

Released by Heritage Records and available on CD and via streaming.

And finally…..

Crazy Frog Does Funny Song

Funny Song has become a viral sensation with over 14 billion streams on TikTok (it also appears in the new ABRSM Grade 2 cello syllabus!). In its latest incarnation, Crazy Frog, who spawned a worldwide hit single in 2003, and numerous spin offs, does Funny Song. The video has enjoyed almost 6 million views to date since it was launched a couple of weeks ago.

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/