The choir has taken various forms since its foundation, and has existed in its present form since 1982 when, shortly after the admission of girls to the University of Cambridge, female voices were used for the first time for the choir’s top lines.
Four regular services are sung per week in full University Term, and the choir also sings Latin grace from the minstrels' gallery in the college’s Great Hall at a number of feasts.
In addition, the choir undertakes projects outside term-time such as recordings, concerts, radio broadcasts and tours.
The choir typically numbers between 25 and 35 members, most of whom are taken from within Trinity College.
Outside term the Choir enjoys a programme of high-profile performances and recordings. Under former Director of Music Richard Marlow, recent UK venues have included the South Bank and the Spitalfields Festival. The current director of music is Stephen Layton, who succeeded Richard Marlow in September 2006. By statute, the Director of Music is also a Category A fellow of the college.
The Choir has recorded some 40 CDs since the mid 1980s, with one recent release, Sweelinck’s Cantiones Sacrae, named a Gramophone CD of the Year. Regular radio broadcasts include the BBC’s annual broadcast from the College Chapel, of Choral Evensong or the Epiphany Carol Service. In addition to the Handel and Poulenc CDs, forthcoming recordings on Hyperion include a cappella works by Polish composer Pawel Lukaszewski.
An ambitious programme of tours has taken the Choir to destinations including the USA, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Peru, as well as to many European cities. Future plans include Vierne’s Messe Solennelle in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris this September, and tours to Poland, Canada, and Australia.
Silent Night
The Choir Of Trinity College Cambridge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All is calm and all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace (sleep)
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night (silent night), holy night (holy night)
Radiant beams thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at thy birth (thy birth)
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
The first verse of The Choir Of Trinity College Cambridge's rendition of Silent Night sets a peaceful and serene tone by describing the night as quiet and holy. The gentle and soft melody of the song complements the lyrics, further adding to the soothing atmosphere. The reference to the virgin mother and her child alludes to the birth of Jesus Christ, which is a central theme of the Christmas story. The second half of the verse asks for the child to sleep in heavenly peace, which is a heartfelt and sincere prayer for the newborn baby's well-being.
The second verse of the song shifts the focus from the night to Jesus Christ himself. He is referred to as the Son of God and the embodiment of love's pure light. The use of the word "radiant" to describe Jesus' face suggests a bright and shining aura that is associated with divinity. The reference to the "dawn of redeeming grace" speaks to the Christian belief that Jesus came to redeem humanity and offer salvation. The final line of the verse declares Jesus as the Lord at His birth, reiterating the idea that the child is the savior of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent night, holy night
The night is peaceful and holy
All is calm and all is bright
There is no chaos and everything is illuminated
Round yon virgin, mother and child
A pure and untouched mother and her child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
A sacred and gentle newborn
Sleep in heavenly peace (sleep)
Rest comfortably in a divine state of tranquility
Silent night (silent night), holy night (holy night)
The night is quiet and sacred
Son of God, love′s pure light
A pure expression of God's love and light
Radiant beams thy holy face
Your face shines with divine light
With the dawn of redeeming grace
The arrival of God's grace brings redemption
Jesus, Lord at thy birth (thy birth)
Jesus is born to be our Lord
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus is our Lord from the moment of his birth
Writer(s): Franz Xaver Grüber
Contributed by Keira E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Caesar G B
I heard this in an episode of Chuck. Since then, this has been my favorite version of Silent Night and I have found this group’s hymns to be a sliver of a glimpse at heavenly perfection. God bless all who listen to this!
Simon Riley
It’s not the exact one used in Chuck, but it’s pretty dang close!
OKNPoet
Beautifully done!!
grinder68
the sound is perferct for this upcoming christmas its november but its about to be christmas nicely and beautifully done by the choir and the others that worked on this masterpiece
Jack Hardy
This is the best version I've ever heard.