{"product_id":"the-darkling-thrush-for-satb-and-organ","title":"The Darkling Thrush — for SATB and Organ","description":"\u003cp\u003eOscar award winning composer Rachel Portman has written a new carol \u003ci\u003eThe Darkling Thrush\u003c\/i\u003e, commissioned for the King's College \u003ci\u003eA Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols\u003c\/i\u003e. The service took place on Christmas Eve 2025 at the Chapel of King's College and was be broadcast worldwide.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e                                                                                                                       \u003ci\u003eThe Darkling Thrush\u003c\/i\u003e is a setting of the poem by Thomas Hardy, written around 1900. Portman, who was the first female composer to winan Academy Award for her original score for \u003ci\u003eEmma\u003c\/i\u003e, has written over 100 scores for film, television and theatre. Some of her other works include scores for \u003ci\u003eThe Cider House Rules\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eChocolat\u003c\/i\u003e, and an opera based on Saint-Exupéry's \u003ci\u003eThe Little Prince\u003c\/i\u003e for Houston Grand Opera. Portman was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2010 New Year Honours.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e                   Talking about the commission, Portman said: “I chose Thomas Hardy's \u003ci\u003eThe Darkling Thrush\u003c\/i\u003e to set as a carol because it's about faith in renewal... I was particularly drawn to its deep rural setting, beginning as it does in the cold winter landscape, and the uplifting song of the little bird that bursts out upon the stillness bringing hope. The thrush's song in the poem is given to a solo chorister, and the choir responds in growing warmth and melody. The poignancy of a frail thrush's song as the bringer of hope into the world is, I feel, a good message for our time.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e                                                                                      The annual service \u003ci\u003eA Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols\u003c\/i\u003e was broadcast on BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and distributed by American Public Media across 400 radio stations on Christmas Eve 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chester","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53476946280766,"sku":"02031697","price":500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0695\/1396\/9982\/files\/02031697_01.jpg?v=1778678555","url":"https:\/\/themusiciansclub.net\/en-jp\/products\/the-darkling-thrush-for-satb-and-organ","provider":"The Musicians Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}