These Christmas carols by Britten have become contemporary classics. The serene Sweet Was The Song contrasts with a moving lament on the hardships of Christmas, A WealdenTrio, (both of which are unaccompanied but which have in this edition a piano reduction for rehearsal purposes), and a memorable setting of Hardy's fine poem The Oxen (accompanied).

The Choral Programme Series is now a well-esatablished programming tool for many choirs as it offers a wealth of fresh material from many eras and in many styles.