Poster from the cover of the first edition of "A Christmas Carol"
Cover of the cloth first edition of "A Christmas Carol" (1843)
via Wikimedia Commons
Performance Today®

A Christmas Carol

In "A Christmas Carol," Ebenezer Scrooge not only hates Christmas, he hates generosity itself... at least until a three uninvited house-guests demonstrate what greed might cost him. On today's show, join us in a musical retelling of "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Sasha Margolis: Wallachian-Appalachian Scratchin'
Big Galut(e)
Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival in partnership with the Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph, VT

Traditional: Hanukkah
Symphony Nova Scotia; Howard Cable, conductor
Seasons Celebrations
CBC 5226

Traditional (arr. Paul Schoenfield): Al Hanisim
Essential Voices USA; Paul Schoenfield, piano; Judith Clurman, conductor
Cherished Moments: Songs of the Jewish Spirit
Dorian 92182

Stephen Schwartz (arr. Ryan Nowlin): Hanukkah Song "We Are Lights"
Essential Voices USA; Judith Clurman, conductor
Season of Light
Dorian 70006

Scott Robinson: Great is the Miracle (Hanukkah Medley)
Eaken Piano Trio
I'll Be Home for the Holidays
Naxos 554714

Alexander Krein: Caprice Hebraique, Op.24
Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin; Orion Weiss, piano
Seattle Chamber Music Society, Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA

Joel Engel: Freilakhs, Op.20, No.2
Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin; Orion Weiss, piano
Seattle Chamber Music Society, Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA

Traditional (arr. David Krakauer): Der Gasn Nign (The Street Song)
David Krakauer, clarinet; Nurit Pacht and Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin; Melissa Reardon, viola; Aron Zelkowicz, cello
Pittsburgh Jewish Music Festival, Levy Hall at Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA

Hour 2

Traditional: Cold Frosty Morning/Old Christmas/Breakin' Up Christmas
Apollo's Fire Baroque Orchestra; Jeannette Sorrell, conductor
Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain: An Irish-Appalachian Celebration
Avie 2396

John Jacob Niles: I Wonder As I Wander
Kirkmount: Alex Bigney, harp and bones; Samuel Bigney, fiddle; Simeon Bigney, cello and bodhran
Mittens for Christmas
Dorian 93236

Georgy Sviridov: Molitva ("Prayer")
Chanticleer; Kory Reid, conductor
Concerts at St. Ignatius, Church of St Ignatius Loyola, New York, NY

Jaakko Mantyjarvi: Die Stimme des Kindes
Chanticleer; Kory Reid, conductor
Concerts at St. Ignatius, Church of St Ignatius Loyola, New York, NY

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Wassail Song from "Two Songs of Winter"
Judy Mason, piano; Spivey Hall Children's Choir; Martha Shaw, conductor
Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA

Traditional: Child in a Manger/ Gloucestershire Wassail
Kirkmount: Alex Bigney, harp and bones; Samuel Bigney, fiddle; Simeon Bigney, cello and bodhran
Mittens for Christmas
Dorian 93236

Traditional: Fum, Fum, Fum!
Apollo's Fire Baroque Orchestra; Jeannette Sorrell, conductor
Noels & Carols from the Olde World
Koch 7582

Traditional German: While by My Sheep (Als ich bei meinen Schafen)
Blake Eliason, Beth VanDam, James VanDam, soloists; Salt Lake Children's Choir; Ralph Woodward, conductor
Salt Lake Children's Choir, Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City, UT

Traditional French: Il Est Ne / Masters in This Hall / Noel
Adagio Trio
Winter Gift
Adagio Trio 2

Traditional (arr. David Wilcocks): Sweet was the Song the Virgin sang; Ding Dong Merrily on High
Choir of King's College, Cambridge; David Willcocks, conductor
On Christmas Night
London/Decca 425499

Traditional: Maria durch ein Dornwald ging
Uppsala Academic Chamber Choir; Stefan Parkman, conductor
Winter Sounds
Footprint 85

Harold Darke (arr. Ken Gist): In the Bleak Midwinter
Adagio Trio
Winter Gift
Adagio Trio 2

Alan Silvestri: A Christmas Carol: I'm Still Here from the film
Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra
A Christmas Carol Original Soundtrack
Walt Disney 49208

Alan Silvestri: A Christmas Carol: Ride On My Good Man from the film
Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra
A Christmas Carol Original Soundtrack
Walt Disney 49208

Vijay Singh: A Glimpse of Snow and Evergreen
Oregon Chorale; Jason Sabino, conductor
A Glimpse of Snow and Evergreen
SELF PROD NA

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

Tchaikovsky at the Elbphilharmonie

Tchaikovsky at the Elbphilharmonie

The acoustics of a concert hall can profoundly shape the sound of an orchestra, for better or for worse. On today's program, we’ll take you to the stunning Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg to hear Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, performed by the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra under the direction of conductor Alan Gilbert.

1:59:00
Music for Juneteenth

Music for Juneteenth

This Juneteenth, we feature music by Black composers that reflects the spirit of freedom and resilience. Today's program includes Carlos Simon’s Warmth from Other Suns, inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns, alongside works by Florence Price, Adrian Dunn, and others. Join Fred Child for a celebration of music honoring this historic day.

1:59:00
The Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein

The Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein

How does a renowned concert hall influence the sound of an orchestra? Listen and discover as the Vienna Philharmonic performs Brahms' magnificent Double Concerto live from Vienna's Musikverein, a venue that highlights the interaction between soloists and the orchestra. Join us today to experience the sound of the Vienna Philharmonic performing at their iconic home venue, the Musikverein.

1:59:00
The importance of Wynton Marsalis

The importance of Wynton Marsalis

Conductor Cristian Macelaru says that Wynton Marsalis is the most important American composer… of all time. He says, "No one has focused (as) much on showing America's history and identity in both classical and jazz." We'll hear the world premiere of a new piece by Wynton Marsalis on today’s episode.

1:59:00
William Dawson

William Dawson

Two decades after he wrote his Negro Folk Symphony, composer William Dawson traveled to West Africa. Based on what he heard there, he revised his music to convey “...the missing elements that were lost when Africans came into bondage outside their homeland." On today's show, hear Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony played by The Orchestra Now with conductor Leon Botstein.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Nina Bernat

PT Weekend: Nina Bernat

We're excited to introduce our next 2025 Young Artist in Residence: double-bassist Nina Bernat. In today's show, Nina joins Fred Child for music and conversation at our studio in Saint Paul. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
Clarice Assad: Constellation

Clarice Assad: Constellation

In 2023, Clarice Assad composed a piece to honor the universe that is her own family. The first two movements depict her daughters, Antonia and Stella; the final movement celebrates her partner, whom Assad says "radiates the warmth and strength of the sun." We'll hear Clarice Assad's "Constellation" on today's show.

1:59:00
Errollyn Wallen: Mighty River

Errollyn Wallen: Mighty River

In 2007, Composer Errollyn Wallen wrote a piece to mark the anniversary of the Abolition of the British Slave Trade. She says, ‘It is human instinct to be free, just as it is for the river to rush headlong to the sea.’ We'll dive into Errollyn Wallen’s Mighty River on today's show.

1:59:00
Unlocking Julia Perry's legacy

Unlocking Julia Perry's legacy

Julia Perry was a remarkable 20th-century American composer. However, after her passing in 1979, her music was tied up in her estate, preventing anyone from granting permission for its use... until now. Tune in today to learn about the exciting new arrangement to share Julia Perry's music with the world.

1:59:00
Ravel and Gershwin

Ravel and Gershwin

In 1928, Maurice Ravel spent some time hanging out with George Gershwin in Harlem jazz clubs. The sounds Ravel heard in Harlem made their way into some of his subsequent compositions. On today’s show, pianist Inon Barnatan joins the Aspen Music Festival Orchestra to play Ravel's jazz-influenced Piano Concerto in G Major.

1:59:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Performance Today®

To find a station near you on our Stations Listings page, click here.

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.

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. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

How do I leave a comment?

Send us a comment here.

About Performance Today®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00