Beyond The Manger

Christmas is undoubtedly the most memorable milestone in the Bath Abbey calendar. For three weeks each year, the famous and picturesque Bath Christmas Market surrounds our walls, drawing visitors from across the globe. Yet for many, the market acts as the threshold to a deeper discovery; it is during these weeks that the broadest possible audience encounters the Abbey's musical heart for the first time. December is a season of vibrant energy when the Abbey fills to capacity for a sequence of storied events-from the liturgical beauty of Advent and the Midnight Eucharist to our celebrated Choir carol concerts, including our very popular 'Shoppers' Carols'. It is a time when our music reaches beyond our regular congregation to welcome the curious and the festive alike. This album brings you a carefully curated combination of new and old carols, where well-known favourites sit alongside contemporary arrangements and several world premiere recordings.