ABBA

He was an English scholar, theologian and hymnwriter born in London, England. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was a co-founder of the Cambridge Camden Society, later the Ecclesiological Society, after the High Church Anglicans in the Oxford Movement influenced him. He took orders in 1841 but due to ill health he could not get a position in England until he became a warden of Sackville College, East Grinstead, London. He would remain in this position for the rest of his life but he was also a co-founder of the Anglican Church's Society of Saint Margaret for women that dedicated themselves to looking after the sick. As an author he wrote a commentary on the Psalms and translated many Eastern liturgies but his main claim to fame was as a hymn writer and translating many medieval, Greek and Latin hymns. His best known works include "Good King Wenceslas", "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" and "A Great and Mighty Wonder". He received no honours in England but was awarded a doctorate by Trinity College, Connecticut. His death was at age 48 on the Festival of the Transfiguration. The Anglican church honour him on the 7^th August and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has him remembered on their Calendar of Saints.

Good King Wenceslas recordings

Black Dyke Mills Band

Chandos 4541 (CD: A Christmas Fantasy)

Boston Pops

Philips 416 287 - 2 (CD: We Wish You a Merry Christmas)

Conductor - John Williams

DG 419 414-2 (CD: White Christmas)

Conductor - Arthur Fiedler

RCA 09026-61685-2 (CD: Pops Christmas Party)

Conductor - Arthur Fiedler

Sony SK 48232 (CD: Joy to the World)

Conductor - John Williams

Tanglewood Festival Chorus

Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra

Naxos 8.990005 (CD: Joy to the World)

Conductor - Richard Hayman

Rochester Pops Orchestra

Koch CHD 1531 (CD: Joy to the World - Carols for Orchestra and Chorus)

St Louis Philharmonic Orchestra

Sonari records - 7 55724 00272 3 (CD: Christmas with the Philharmonic)

Conductor - Robert Hart Baker

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