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The Flemish Radio Choir guarantees a swinging Christmas this year! From traditional Negro spirituals, through a new work by Jef Neve, to exciting jazz improvisations on piano. And of course we have not forgotten the traditional Christmas carols, but have set them, entirely in keeping with the style of the rest of the programme, in the appropriate jazzy grooves...... Have a merry groovy Christmas!

Michael Tippett composed his oratorio ‘A Child of Our Time’ as a protest against war and violence, poverty and oppression. At the key turning points he added five spirituals inspired by the chorales of Bach’s passions. Even as separate a capella works, these religious folk songs retain all their emotional power. In Lindberg’s ‘O Mistress Mine’, love is the watchword, in a light-hearted mix of folk, rock, classical and jazz.  After the first, successful collaboration with Jef Neve, the Flemish Radio Choir asked him to write a new work specially for this jazzy Christmas recording. Jef sought and found his inspiration – where else? – in the Christmas atmosphere. And with his whirling piano playing, he lends a jazzy touch to the Christmas carols at the end of the concert.