Short bio David Willcocks
Full biography David Willcocks
David Willcocks was a British choral conductor, composer, organist and music administrator, born on December 30, 1919. He passed away on September 17, 2015, leaving behind a rich legacy of choral music that continues to inspire generations. Willcocks had an illustrious career in music, which spanned more than six decades and included many notable achievements. He was particularly known for his contributions to Christmas carols and hymns.
Willcocks studied music at the Royal College of Music in London and later served in World War II. After the war, he became the organist at the Salisbury Cathedral, and later at King's College, Cambridge. It was during his time at King's College that he became famous for his annual service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which continues to be broadcast worldwide every Christmas Eve.
Willcocks also wrote many carol arrangements and descants that have become classics, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "The First Nowell," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," and many more. He also wrote pieces for TV and film and composed many choral works.
Willcocks was an influential figure in British choral music and served as the director of music at King's College for 17 years. He was knighted in 1977 and received many other awards and honors throughout his career. Today, he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of choral music, and his work continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world.
Compositions featuring David Willcocks
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starry Night, for chorus & organ | 4:57 min | Choral | 2004 |
| 2 | My heart is fixed, O God, for choir, brass, timpani & percussion | 4:34 min | Choral | 1993 |
| 3 | Psalm Triology, for children's chorus, flute & organ | 7:22 min | Choral | 1983 |
| 4 | Organ Postlude on "Hark! the herald angels sing" | 3:37 min | Keyboard | - |
| 5 | Variations on "Breslau," for organ | 9:34 min | Keyboard | - |
| 6 | Under the Greenwood Tree | 1:51 min | Choral | - |
| 7 | Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, for chorus | 1:48 min | Choral | - |
| 8 | The Infant King, for chorus ("Sing Lullaby") | 2:13 min | Choral | - |
| 9 | Sing!, for chorus (after the toccata from Widor's Organ Symphony No. 5) | 5:59 min | Choral | - |
| 10 | Shakespeare Songs (5), for female chorus, optional narrator & piano (or strings & piano) | 14:57 min | Choral | - |
| 11 | Resonemus laudibus, for baritone, chorus, cello, harp & organ | 1:56 min | Choral | - |
| 12 | Rejoice today with one accord , for chorus, organ & percussion | 4:23 min | Choral | - |
| 13 | Psalm 150 | 2:17 min | Choral | - |
| 14 | Psalm 148, "O praise the Lord of heaven: praise him in the height" | 3:14 min | Choral | - |
| 15 | Psalm 131 "Lord, I am not high-minded" | 1:51 min | Choral | - |
| 16 | Psalm 114 "In exitu Israel" | 2:19 min | Choral | - |
| 17 | Psalm 83 "Deus, Quis Similis?" for chorus | 5:04 min | Choral | - |
| 18 | Angelus ad virginem, carol setting for soloists & children's chorus | 2:32 min | Choral | - |
| 19 | Of the Father's Heart Begotten, hymn setting for chorus & organ | 3:21 min | Choral | - |
| 20 | Nun freut euch, ihr Christen (Freiburger Chorbuch, 105) | 3:20 min | Choral | - |
| 21 | Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, for chorus & organ | 13:08 min | Choral | - |
| 22 | Lift up your heads, for chorus, organ & percussion | 4:34 min | Choral | - |
| 23 | He Smiles Within His Cradle, carol setting for chorus | 3:07 min | Choral | - |
| 24 | Fanfare and O Come All Ye Faithful, for chorus & organ | 4:36 min | Choral | - |
| 25 | Fanfare and Hark the Herald Angels Sing, for chorus & organ | 3:48 min | Choral | - |
| 26 | Ding Dong Merrily on High, carol setting for soloists & children's chorus | 2:14 min | Choral | - |
| 27 | Deck the hall | 3:04 min | Choral | - |
| 28 | Come thou, Redeemer of the Earth | 2:46 min | Choral | - |
| 29 | Ceremony of Psalms, for chorus | 23:35 min | Choral | - |
| 30 | Bobby Shaftoe, for chorus | 1:33 min | Choral | - |
| 31 | Birthday Carol, for chorus | 2:51 min | Choral | - |
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