| The First Nowell | |
| Type: | Choral work |
| Occasion: | St. Martin-in-the-Fields charity matinee |
| Text: | Christmas carols, medieval pageants by Simona Pakenham |
| Language: | English |
The First Nowell is a choral work for soprano and baritone soloists, SATB chorus and full orchestra by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams written in 1958 and completed by Roy Douglas following the composer's death in August of that year.[1] [2]
The First Nowell was written to accompany a nativity play adapted from medieval pageants by Simona Pakenham. Pakenham recalled:
In early July 1958, I was asked by Austin Williams, the vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, to persuade Vaughan Williams to collaborate with me on the writing of a nativity play. This was to be given at a matinee at Drury Lane Theatre on 19 December in support of the Ockendon Venture – a charity that was building a village to house refugee children. I hesitated to put this to Vaughan Williams because I knew he was always busy with the composition of the moment... I went to tea at Hanover Terrace on 6 July and I was astonished that he considered the idea at all. The mere mention of Christmas inspired him. He had a passion for carols.[3]
It was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 19 December 1958 with the St. Martin-in-the-Fields Concert Orchestra and Singers conducted by John Churchill, and produced by Noel Iliff and Geraldine Stephenson.[4]
The work presents a sequence of carols and scenes bookmarked between God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen and The First Nowell:[3]