For Christmas Day, we're playing some of the best holiday music... you might even find yourself joining the chorus. Tune in for Christmas and holiday music from concerts around the world. Happy Holidays from all of us at Performance Today!
Episode Playlist
Hour 1
Traditional: O Tannenbaum & Leise rieselt der Schnee
Calmus
Calmus Christmas Carols
Carus 83432
Traditional (arr. Scott Irvine): O Little Town of Bethlehem
True North Brass
True North Christmas
TNB 4
Traditional (arr. Don Liuzzi): Pat A Pan
The DePue Brothers Band
When It's Christmas Time
Beat the Drums 1436
Traditional (arr. Claude Gagnon): Noel Nouvelet
La Pieta; Angele Dubeau, violin and leader
Noel
Analekta 8730
Traditional: We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Ji-Won Song, Max Yiming Mao, Kenneth Naito, Noelle Naito, violins; Molly Wise, viola; Noemie Raymond-Friset, cello
Heifetz International Music Institute, U of MD Baltimore County (UMBC) Fine and Performing Arts Department, Linehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore, MD
French Traditional (arr. Robert Scholz): Angels We Have Heard on High
Mass Choir of St. Olaf; St. Olaf Orchestra; Steven Amundson, conductor
St. Olaf Christmas Festival, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Traditional (arr. John Rutter): Deck The Hall
Spivey Hall Tour Choir; Martha Shaw, conductor
Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA
George Frideric Handel: Messiah: For unto us a child is born
Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; Andrew Davis, conductor
Handel: Messiah
EMI 49027
Traditional (arr. John Rutter): Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow
William Borland, baritone; The Atlanta Singers; David Brensinger, conductor
Chantez Noel
ACA 20047
Traditional: God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
New Dublin Voices; Bernie Sherlock, conductor
Make We Merry
SELF PROD 441
Traditional (arr. Cuarteto Latinoamericano): Joy to the World
Lydia Lewis, percussion; Cuarteto Latinoamericano
Imagine Christmas
Sono Luminous DSL-92216
Steven Amundson: On Christmas Day
St Olaf Orchestra; Steven Amundson, conductor
St Olaf Christmas Festival, Skoglund Auditorium, Northfield, MN
Walter Kent: I'll Be Home For Christmas
Guy Campion & Mario Vachon, pianos
Noel Pianissimo
Analektra 9818
Ola Gjeilo: Home
Ola Gjeilo, Piano; 12 Ensemble; Rupert Gough, conductor
Winter Songs
Decca 4816326
Traditional (arr. Clifton Noble Jr.): Sussex Carol
Jane Raty, piano; Kiersten Favero, piano; Brigham Young University Women's Chorus; Jean Applonie, conductor
De Jong Concert Hall, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Traditional Irish (arr. Kathryn Daniels and Linda Grieser): Good People All, This Christmastime (Wexford Carol)
Adagio Trio
Winter Gift
Adagio Trio 2
Traditional: The Twelve Days of Christmas
Pittsburgh Symphony Brass
A Christmas Concert
Four Winds 3017
Hour 2
Dick Smith, Felix Bernard (arr. George Andrews): Winter Wonderland
The Hampton String Quartet
What if Mozart Wrote Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
RCA 5625
Nathan Hofheins: Christmas Fanfare
Brigham Young University Philharmonic Orchestra; Kory Katseanes, conductor
de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, Provo, UT
Leonard Cohen (Ben Bram, Kevin Olusola): Hallelujah
The String Mob and Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kristin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi; Pentatonix
A Pentatonix Christmas Deluxe
RCA 88985-47691-2
George Wyle (arr. Pentatonix): It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Pentatonix
That's Christmas To Me
RCA 9690
Johnny Marks (arr. Sae Chonabayashi): Holly Jolly Christmas
Jasper String Quartet
Imagine Christmas
Sono Luminous DSL-92216
Johnny Marks: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Canadian Brass
Christmas Time Is Here
Steinway & Sons 30027
Walter 'Jack' Rollins & Steve Nelson: Frosty the Snowman
Canadian Brass
Christmas Time Is Here
Steinway & Sons 30027
James Pierpont (arr. David J. Elliott): Jingle Bell Swing
Judy Mason, piano; Spivey Hall Children's Choir; Martha Shaw, conductor
Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA
Alan Silvestri: The Polar Express: Spirit of the Season
Original Soundtrack Recording; Alan Silvestri, conductor
Polar Express OST
Warner 48897
Jerry Herman (arr. Mitch Farbert): We Need a Little Christmas
Hampton String Quartet
What if Mozart Wrote Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
RCA 5625
Ben Allaway: Alleluyah Sasa! He is Born
Nicholas Swanson, vocal solo; Andrew Kreye, vocal solo; St. Olaf Chapel Choir; Christopher Aspaas, conductor
St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Skoglund Center Auditorium, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Liberian Folk Song (arr. Andre Thomas): African Noel
William Arnold '18 and Sedrick Spradling '18, percussion; Viking Chorus; Christopher Aspaas, conductor
St. Olaf Christmas Festival, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Traditional (arr. Michael Huff): Go Tell It on The Mountain
St Olaf Choir & Orchestra; Anton Armstrong, conductor
St Olaf Christmas Festival, Skoglund Auditorium, Northfield, MN
Pietro Yon: Gesu Bambino
Taylor Simmons, violin; Abraham Wilson, piano; BYU Concert Choir; Rosalind Hall, conductor
De Jong Concert Hall, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Witold Lutoslawski: Polish Christmas Carols - Hurrying to Bethlehem
BBC Symphony Orchestra; Philharmonia Chorus; David Zinman, conductor
Karolju Christmas Music from Rouse, Lutoslawski and Rodrigo
RCA 11561
Traditional English: We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Guy Campion & Mario Vachon, pianos
Noel Pianissimo
Analektra 9818
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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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