I truly love putting together the Christmas playlist every year, and even though several of the same recordings are long-cherished perrenials, I try to sneak in a few surprises now and then. Part of the fun of doing a "composed" playlist is that I can vary the mix, so to speak, and butt some pieces up against others for some interesting sequences. What about your favorite Christmas pieces? Please comment, that's what this blog is for!
Dupré: Variations on "Adeste Fideles" - Janette Fishell - Dupré: Works for Organ Vol 4
I was intimately involved with the selection and installation of this instrument (Casavant Op. 3606) back in the mid 1980s, and it is very close to my heart. This recording of the transcription of Dupré's organ roll by the excellent Janette Fishell just makes Christmas for me in so many ways...and don't you love the éclat of the full mixtures towards the end? Get this recording on Naxos and treasure it forever, not only for this but also for the 3 Preludes and Fugues (best recordings of these works anywhere!) and for the late Dupré work "Le Vitrail de St Ouen".
Traditional: Hymn "Adeste fideles" (O come all ye faithful); Organ Interlude; Traditional: Hymn "Winchester Old" (While shepherds watched their flocks by night) - Choir of the Cathedral of St John the Divine Richard Westenburg - Christmas Eve at the Cathedral of St John the Divine
A massive, overwhelming "Adeste fideles" and the sine qua non of any recordings of this hymn, even 30+ years after its recording. The organist David Pizarro performs some amazing interludes in this sequence as well. BTW, we'd all best contribute to the restoration of this great Æolian Skinner instrument, which was damaged in the 2001 fire and I believe is still silenced.
from Pergolesi: Glory to God in the Highest - Mormon Tabernacle Choir Richard Condie - The Spirit of Christmas
This was recorded by the Tab Choir back in the 60s, and was a childhood favorite...when I found the reissue on CD I danced for joy! Even though the remastering isn't that great for most of the pieces, the preservation of this lovely album was most welcome.
Howells: Three Carol-Anthems - The Finzi Singers Paul Spicer - Howells Choral Works
You may have figured out by now how much I love to feature pieces by Howells, not only for the highly accomplished musical aspect but also for the deep spirituality that is embedded in his body of work. This suite of 3 pieces (Here is the little door, Sing lullaby, A spotless rose) is profoundly meaningful, especially "Here is the little door" which is my favorite.
Cutter: Little Lamb - Choir of the Church of the Advent Boston Edith Ho - Duo Seraphim: Angel Songs for Christmas
What can I say, I love this modern setting of Blake's poem so very much...a favorite Christmas piece. The Advent Boston choir here is, as always, flawless technically and thoughtful in expression.
Victoria: O magnum mysterium - Chanticleer - Sing We Christmas
Rich, profound, so movingly performed...Chanticleer is such an excellent and intelligent ensemble of male singers, and this is one of their jewels.
Kocher: Hymn "Dix" (As of gladness men of old) - Choir of the Church of St Mary the Virgin New York City Christopher Babcock - O That We Were There: Music of Christmas Past
You know, I wish this CD had been better recorded and mastered than it was...from a technical standpoint it falls short, but as samples of actual service music it's quite satisfying in parts. Isn't the registration on the Æolian-Skinner here thrilling?
Lauridsen: O magnum mysterium - Choir of St George's Church Nashville Wilma Jensen - Christmas at St George's
I sang with and precented for this choir in the 80s (and was a child chorister there in the 60s under Greg Colson and Sam Batt Owens), and even though I am not on this recording the sound is the same as Wilma Jensen perfected back then. (I'm still waiting for a St George's Nashville CD with the current choirmaster Murray Somerville, who came there from Harvard University's Memorial Church...Murray, I hope you read this and act appropriately!) This is a lovely Christmas CD, and I'm finding that this piece is being performed more regularly elsewhere nowadays - a great contemporary big-choir piece that maintains a glowing contemplative aura.
Campra: Messe de jour de Noël (Sanctus) - Ensemble Organum Marcel Pérès - Plain-Chant Parisien xvii et xviii siècles: Messe de jour de Noël
Bold and powerful stuff, expressive of the mysterium of this season and a great chance to hear Campra's service music performed in the latter day on this lovely Cliquot instrument.
Ninefold Alleluia and Announcement of the Holy Gospel - Organ Respond - Dean and Choir of the Cathedral of St John the Divine Richard Westenburg - Christmas Eve at the Cathedral of St John the Divine
Now you know where my broadcast ID comes from! Thank you, Dean Morton, Choir and organist David Pizarro!
Büsser: Le sommeil de l'Enfant Jésus - Elizabeth Smith Anthony LaMarchina Licia Jaskunas - Christmas at St George's
Expressive of all the "hopes and fears" of the season, and a very sentimental favorite of mine. The perfect thing to go to bed to at home after Christmas Midnight Mass.
Yon arr. Brohn: Gesù Bambino - Kathleen Battle Orchestra of St Luke's Leonard Slatkin - A Christmas Celebration
This is my dad's favorite Christmas piece, ever since he listened to broadcasts from St Patrick Cathedral NYC (where Pietro Yon was resident) on a crystal radio set in the 30s. I sang the baritone solo version often and quite badly for many years, so I am relieved that this much more palatable recording by Kathleen Battle exists.
Trad. English (West Country): Carol God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen - Taverner Consort Andrew Parrott - The Carol Album
Yee haw! this is rollicking and joyous. Parrott captures the spirit (and the West Country accent) of my common folk ancestors in this version...sounds like some had had a bit too much wassail, but that's part of the fun.
Gruber: Stille nacht ; Douce nuit ; Silent night - Chanticleer - Sing We Christmas
Exquisite, and a true tour de force in this presentation. I wish "Stille nacht" could be like this at every Christmas service.
Mulet: Carillon-Sortie - Huw Williams - Christmas Organ Music from St Paul's Cathedral
This piece, Bach's chorale prelude on "In dulce jubilo" and Vierne's "Carillon de Westminster" are classic Christmas recessionals, and all would be a stirring and fitting close to my humble Christmas playlist. May we all go out into the world this season with the same Christmas joy, warmth and com-fort!
