The Minstrels

The Minstrels was commissioned and performed by the BBC Singers in their Winter Solstice concert at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, London on 21 December 2016, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. This lively non-religious carol, a setting of the opening verses of the William Wordsworth poem of the same name, paints vivid images of jocular minstrels and their followers, completed with cittern effects in the bass part. The clever interplay between the vocal parts and opportunities for fun wordplay make this an exciting and rewarding sing, and a very engaging piece for an audience.