Recordings

A digital-only single released for Christmas 2020, and one of the more cheerful things to come out of that year. Richard Blackford's Christmas Dawn is a hymn-like tune, stated softly over simple chords, gathering momentum through more expansive figuration before a staccato central section heralds its return in full.

I sent the score to my publisher and they suggested that the pianist Simon Callaghan record Christmas Dawn with an accompanying video, as a celebratory lockdown project at Wyastone Recording Studio that might cheer people up, given the uncertainties of Christmas this year. I hope the music and the video will give pleasure at a time when Christmas cheer is much needed.

— Richard Blackford

Gramophone Video of the Day, 4 December 2020

Scala Radio article (4 December 2020)