In the bleak midwinter – Harold Darke, arr. John Rutter

There can be few more delightful presents than a piece of music. Even so,when Margaret Agnes Calkin, friend of the youthful Harold Darke, received In the Bleak Midwinter as a gift from the composer one Edwardian Christmas long ago, could she ever have guessed that a century later this delightful carol-anthem would be sung throughout the world, and even be voted ‘the greatest Christmas carol of all time’ by The BBC Music Magazine?

John Rutter wrote this arrangement for TTBB and organ to mark the centenary of this remarkable setting of Christina Rossetti’s immortal words. This new arrangement stays true to the much-loved original for SATB and organ, while making it available for the enjoyment of male-voice choirs. The organ part is also available arranged for string orchestra.