The Second Day of Christmas

On this second day of Christmas, we share Michael Head’s beautiful carol “The Little Road to Bethlehem,” sung by members of the Parish Choir. Featuring singers Jo Darius, Catharine Eastman, Arunima Kohli, and Eleanor Rieffel, with Director of Music Eric Tuan at the piano.

During his long association as student, then professor at the Royal Academy of Music, the 20th-century English composer Michael Head became well known for his beautifully crafted art songs and choral music. Unusually, he was equally gifted as a pianist and singer, making his Wigmore Hall debut as a self-accompanied singer at the age of 29. His sensitivity to both sides of the art song shines through in his contemplative carol “The Little Road to Bethlehem.” The simple, tuneful melody is supported by a wonderful piano accompaniment, which subtly depicts the text in each verse: witness the gentle perambulation of the piano introduction, or the chiming bells beneath the line “Across the air the silver sheep-bell rang.”