Traditional carols, alternative versions and classic Motown (plus Mariah, of course!)
Chosen by Music Patron – happy holidays!
The Messiah - Handel
This is such powerful, uplifting music, and always signals the start of Christmas for me.
A highlight is always when the audience are upstanding for the Hallelujah Chorus... slightly unorthodox version shared here!
Coventry Carol
Picardy thirds, false relations, irregular phrase lengths - all things that make me feel festive!
Ding Dong Merrily On Pie: Ramsgate's Silliest Carol Service
This sounds a little bonkers, but I do a rude carol service, every Christmas Eve, where we reword traditional Christmas songs.
It's a huge community gathering and in a 40 minute service we usually raise a minimum of £500 for our local homeless charity. It's fast becoming a Ramsgate institution.
Stille Nacht/Silent Night - arr. George Benjamin
This is a gorgeous arrangement of Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by my old composition teacher George Benjamin, for viola, 2 cellos and double bass. The sound is so translucent, everyone is playing in harmonics, there is a sense of profound calm.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - The Ronettes
The phenomenon of Motown Christmas records is absolutely amazing - so twee and silly. You have probably heard some (The Jackson 5 with 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' for example). They are often actually quite bad, and it’s sort of crazy to hear all these artists who are responsible for some of the best recorded music of all time - Aretha, The Temptations, The Supremes, Stevie… - doing half hearted versions of 'Little Drummer Boy'. But this by The Ronettes is perfect to me.
The Annunciation - Jonathan Harvey
I had the privilege of working with Jonathan Harvey. He sadly passed away from MND some years ago. This is one of the last pieces he wrote. It is so intimate and soulful. It beautifully captures the mystery of advent.
Sonia Stevenson, Head of Music Patron
Drive The Cold Winter Away - Stick in the Wheel
We wheel out our own festive track every year - it's a bit different.
Hátíð fer að höndum ein (Hawteeth fer ath hondum ain)
This is a traditional Icelandic Christmas song, usually sung by choirs. I feel it perfectly captures Iceland in mid winter. It's beautifully dark and frosty, and everything slows down. Being 'festive' during the holidays in Iceland means to be 'solemn' rather than to be upbeat or jolly.
All I Want For Christmas is You - Mariah Carey
It is the Christmas song of the modern age. As composers we have to respect the craft, both of songwriting and of delivery.
It’s ubiquitous and beloved for a reason and a rare contemporary interloper in the Christmas canon. I heard it from the window of a car as I cycled past, on the 3rd of November: a harbinger of festivity.
