On Christmas Day, join us for a musical journey across the country. We'll go coast-to-coast, sampling musical highlights from concert halls, churches, and everything in between - including a movie theater.
Episode Playlist
Hour 1
Henri Pensis: Fantasy on Two Christmas Carols
Miramar Sinfonietta; Henri Pensis, conductor
Twentieth Century "Contrasts"
Albany 509
Steven Amundson: Ring Gladsome Bells
St. Olaf Orchestra; St. Olaf Handbell Choir; Steven Amundson, conductor
Skoglund Auditorium, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Traditional English (arr. Joseph Jennings): O Come All Ye Faithful
Chanticleer; Jace Wittig, interim music director
Stanford Memorial Chapel, Stanford, CA
Nathan Hofheins: Christmas Fanfare
Brigham Young University Philharmonic; Kory Katseanes, conductor
de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, Provo, UT
Picardy: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Ensemble Galilei; Carolyn Surrick, leader
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Anders Norudde: Konfulsiionslaten
Ensemble Galilei; Carolyn Surrick, leader
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Sue Richards: The Celt
Ensemble Galilei; Carolyn Surrick, leader
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Traditional (Andre Thomas): African Noel (Liberian folk song)
William Arnold, percussion; Sedrick Spradling, percussion; Viking Chorus; Christopher Aspaas, conductor
St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Northfield, MN
Traditional (arr. Wilhousky): Carol of the Bells
National Lutheran Choir; David Cherwien, director
Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, MN
Traditional Irish: Gloucestershire Wassail/The Wild Irishman
Magical Strings: Pam Boulding, hammered dulcimer; Philip Boulding, harp
Northwest Focus LIVE, Classical KING FM, Seattle, WA
Traditional: Dona Nobis Pacem/Auld Lang Syne
Yo-Yo Ma, cello; Chris Botti, trumpet
Yo Yo Ma & Friends - Songs of Joy and Peace
Sony 24414
Stephen Paulus: Pilgrims' Hymn
National Lutheran Choir; David Cherwien, director
Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, MN
Steven Amundson: Angels' Dance
St. Olaf Orchestra; Steven Amundson, conductor
Skoglund Auditorium, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Dan Forrest: Carol of Joy
BYU Combined Choirs and Orchestra; Ronald Staheli, conductor
deJong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
James Pierpont (arr. Gould): Jingle Bells
Dallas Winds; Peter Bay, conductor
Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, TX
Hour 2
Hector Berlioz: L'enfance du Christ (The Birth of Christ): The Shepherd's Chorus
Boston Pops Orchestra; Tanglewood Festival Chorus; Keith Lockhart, conductor
Holiday Pops
RCA 63252
Albert Hague (arr. Michael Chertock): You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Michael Chertock, piano
Christmas at the Movies
Telarc 80485
Danny Elfman: Nightmare Before Christmas: Christmas Eve Montage
Music For A Darkened Theatre - Film and Television Music Volume Two
MCA 11550
Alan Silvestri: The Polar Express: Spirit of the Season
Original Soundtrack Recording; Alan Silvestri, conductor
Polar Express OST
Warner 48897
Gustav Holst: Second Suite in F, Op. 28, No. 2: 4. Fantasia on the Dargason
Dallas Winds; Peter Bay, conductor
Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, TX
Daniel Kallman: Messiah, Prince of Peace
St. Olaf Orchestra; Steven Amundson, conductor
Skoglund Auditorium, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Dave Brubeck: La Fiesta De La Posada (The Festival of the Inn): Prelude; La Posada and Processional; Behold! The Holy One; La Pinata
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; Dennis Russell Davies; The Dale Warland Singers; Edith Norberg's Carillion Choristers; Dave Brubeck; Richard Davis; Mel Lewis; Lee Arellano; Phyllis Bryn-Julson; Gene Tucke
La Fiesta De La Posada A Christmas Choral Pageant
Sony 64669
Traditional (arr. Arthur Harris): Deck the Halls
Dallas Winds: Jerry Junkin, conductor
Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, TX
Katherine K. Davis (arr. Paul Ferguson): The Little Drummer Boy
Burning River Brass
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Gustav Holst (arr. Michael Allen): Christmas Day: Choral Fantasy on Old Carols: 1. Good Christian Men Rejoice; 2. God Rest You Merry Gentlemen; 3. Come Ye Lofty, Come Ye Lowly; 4. The First Nowell
Burning River Brass
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
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About Performance Today®
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American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.
Hosted by Valerie Kahler, Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country.
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