Guys,

The universe really wants me to be in the mood for Christmas. I mean, it's snowing in Seattle in NOVEMBER, and it reminded me of how much I kind of miss the way snow dampens sound and simultaneously mutes colors and reflects light. I miss real winter.

So, as a pre-Thanksgiving Christmas treat, the Cambridge Choir performing "Gabriel's Message."



(Or, if you prefer Sting's version)

25 Days of Christmas Music: For Unto Us a Child is Born

My mom always says it's not Christmas until she hears "For Unto Us a Child is Born" from GF Handel's The Messiah. I tend to agree. Here's my favorite version from the 1983 recording of Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus.

25 Days of Christmas Music: Dormi Jesu

Have you caught on to my love of choir boys yet? I'm hoping that doesn't sound creepy.

Anyway, I bring to you the very first performance of John Rutter's "Dormi Jesu" by the Choir of King's College in 1998:

25 Days of Christmas Music: Pat-a-Pan

From Wikipedia:

"Patapan" (or "Pat-a-pan") is the title of a traditional French (specifically, Burgundian) Christmas carol. The carol revolves around the birth of Jesus Christ, and is told from the perspective of shepherds playing simple instruments—flutes and drums—the onomatopoetic sound of which gives the song its name; "patapan" is meant to mimic the sound of the drum, and an accompanying lyric, "tu-re-lu-re-lu," the flute.

Also known as the antidote to "The Little Drummer Boy,"* here's a cool 2003 rendition of "Pat-a-pan" from the Dale Warland Singers:

*Um, in my own head. Let's just say I hate "The Little Drummer Boy" almost as much as I hate "The 12 Days of Christmas." Do either of those songs end? Ever?

25 Days of Christmas Music: Sleigh Ride

Now, I'm not the biggest fan of "Sleigh Ride," but in the context of "Mr. Krueger's Christmas" (1980), it's pretty awesome. In this short film, Jimmy Stewart plays a lonely old widower who's only company on Christmas Eve is his cat George and a MoTab Christmas album. It is possibly the saddest movie I've ever seen, but I've probably seen it every year thanks to lazy Sunday school teachers. Even this clip where Mr. Krueger fantasy-directs the choir singing "Sleigh Ride" makes me tear up a little bit. Every. Time.


You can find the full version of this Mormon classic here.

25 Days of Christmas Music: In the Bleak Midwinter

English writer Christina Rosetti's poem "In the Bleak Midwinter" (1872) has become a Christmas classic with several different musical settings. Here's Harold Darke's version as performed by the Winchester Cathedral Choir in 1986.

Little boys in choir robes--awesome.

25 Days of Christmas Music: Nativity Carol

Even though I'm not in a snowy climate this year, I'm trying to get in the Christmas mood with music. I'm pretty judicious of what music I play during the holiday season since it can range from brilliant to ear-bleed inducing, so hopefully I can provide some great songs for y'all(?) to enjoy this month.

My first pick is a John Rutter's lovely "Nativity Carol" as performed by Neeber-Schuler-Chor in Frankfurt 1998. It's a bit quiet, but the sound mixing is great.

Medley of the Day: A Choral Christmas Edition

I love Christmas music. More specifically, classical Christmas music. Really, it's the only time of year I can get away with listening to choral music without being a total nerd. My preference is for minor key, kind of depressing, old fashioned melodies. Here are some of my favorites:

Choir of Winchester Cathedral "Gabriel's Message":




From the Handel's Messiah, "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs." This is one of my favorite songs from The Messiah, featuring some of the most understandable and beautiful Isaiah verses. The minor key building up to lovely resolution is simply gorgeous. The Bow Valley Chorus took it at a pace I like:



And last, from the impeccable Cambridge Singers "Coventry Carol."