A list of Top-10-carols was voted for by the world’s leading choirmasters and choral experts.Many people were disapointed by the list for omission of some notable carols.
“In the bleak midwinter” was named the best carol in the poll of 51 directors of music in the UK and US. In the BBC Music magazine poll, those exp erts were asked to select their five favourite carols and Christmas motets.
“In the Bleak Midwinter was from Christina Rossetti‘s poem. The popular version of the song was written by Gustav Holst in 1911, then arranged by Harold Darke in 1911. Harold turned it from full choir to solo voice.
Richard Harries, the former Bishop of Oxford said it was easy to understand why it hold first place: “It’s a really good start to any carol service and of course it gets an airing each year with the broadcast of the King’s College service.”
Some famous carols that were omitted may disappoint many,such as Shepherds Watched, The 12 Days of Christmas, The Holly and the Ivy and I Saw Three Ships.
Several other well known and much sung carols take lower spots in the survey. These include:
Once in Royal David’s City (11),
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (14),
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (22),
Silent Night (25),
O Little Town of Bethlehem (27),
Good King Wenceslas (42)
Away in a Manger (50).
