Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of the holiday season with "Christmas Classics 2024" by Johann Sebastian Bach. This exquisite collection, released on December 25, 2024, under Warner Classics, is a celebration of timeless Christmas music that spans a rich tapestry of classical compositions. With a duration of 2 hours and 5 minutes, this album is a treasure trove of beloved carols and orchestral pieces that have become synonymous with the festive spirit.
Featuring a diverse array of tracks, from traditional carols like "Ding Dong, Merrily on High" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" to masterful works by composers such as Satie, Charpentier, and Tchaikovsky, this album offers a comprehensive journey through the sounds of Christmas. The inclusion of Bach's iconic "Weihnachtsoratorium" (Christmas Oratorio) adds a layer of depth and grandeur, showcasing Bach's unparalleled ability to convey the essence of the holiday season through his music.
The album is not just a compilation of songs but a carefully curated experience that brings together the best of classical and classical piano genres. Each track is performed with meticulous attention to detail, capturing the essence of the original compositions while adding a fresh, contemporary touch. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or someone looking to discover the beauty of Christmas classics, this album promises to delight and inspire.
"Christmas Classics 2024" is more than just an album; it is a celebration of the timeless music that has brought joy to generations. From the lively rhythms of "The Nutcracker" to the serene beauty of "Noël des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison," each piece is a testament to the enduring power of music to evoke the spirit of Christmas. So, gather your loved ones, dim the lights, and let the enchanting melodies of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries fill your home with the magic of the season.
Traditional: Ding Dong, Merrily on HighLondon Brass
Satie: Menus propos enfantins: No. 3, Valse du chocolat aux amandesAldo Ciccolini
Traditional: Watchman of ZionJoel Cohen, Boston Camerata, Anne Azéma
Charpentier: Messe de minuit pour noël, H. 9: III. Kyrie eleisonLes Arts Florissants, William Christie
Tournemire: L'orgue mystique, Cycle de Noël, Op. 55: Office No. 4 "De Dominica infra Octavam Nativitatis": III. ÉlévationBernard Foccroulle
Traditional: Go, Tell It on the Mountain (Arr. Pasatieri)Thomas Hampson
Charpentier: Noëls sur les instruments, H. 534: No. 6, Une jeune pucelleLes Arts Florissants, William Christie
Corelli: Concerto grosso in G Minor, Op. 6 No. 8 "Fatto per la notte di Natale": I. Vivace - GraveGiovanni Antonini, Il Giardino Armonico
Traditional: We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Arr. Cullen)Kiri Te Kanawa, Coventry Cathedral Choir, Jouko Harjanne, Lichfield Cathedral Choir, Michael George
Traditional: A Christmas HymnJoel Cohen, Boston Camerata, Brown University Chorus, Schola Cantorum of Boston
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: II. Wolcum Yole!Choir of King's College, Cambridge, David Willcocks, Osian Ellis
Charpentier: Messe de minuit pour noël, H. 9: I. Kyrie eleisonLes Arts Florissants, William Christie
Tournemire: L'orgue mystique, Cycle de Noël, Op. 55: Office No. 4 "De Dominica infra Octavam Nativitatis": I. Prélude à l'introïtBernard Foccroulle
Manfredini: Concerto grosso in C Major, Op. 3 No. 12 "Con una pastorale per il Santissimo Natale': II. LargoGiovanni Antonini, Il Giardino Armonico
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: IV. (b) BalulalowChoir of King's College, Cambridge, David Willcocks, Osian Ellis
Bach, JS: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 3: No. 24, Chor. "Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen"Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Ton Koopman, Amsterdam Baroque Choir
Traditional: El noi de la mare (Arr. Llobet for Guitar)Thibaut García
Handel: Joy to the WorldJoel Cohen, Boston Camerata, Brown University Chorus, Schola Cantorum of Boston
Bach, JS: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 3: No. 24, Chor. "Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen" (Reprise)Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Ton Koopman, Amsterdam Baroque Choir
Debussy: Noël des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison, CD 147, L. 139Jean-Paul Kreder, Ensemble vocal Jean-Paul-Kreder, Françoise Petit
Dandrieu: Livre de noëls: No. 17, Noël de Saintonge "Nos bergers"Marie-Claire Alain
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1: No. 2, MarchSir Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker
Trad: O du fröhliche! O du selige!Andrew Parrott, Jennifer Ward Clarke, Taverner Choir, Taverner Players
Mozart: Great Mass in C Minor, K. 427: V. Domine DeusLouis Langrée, Le Concert d'Astrée, Natalie Dessay, Véronique Gens, Yves Castagnet
Corelli: Concerto grosso in G Minor, Op. 6 No. 8 "Fatto per la notte di Natale": III. Adagio - Allegro - AdagioGiovanni Antonini, Il Giardino Armonico
Joubert: There is No RoseEdward Higginbottom, Choir of New College, Oxford
Charpentier: In nativitatem Domini canticum, H. 416: I. Prélude. "Usquequo avertis faciem tuam"Les Arts Florissants, William Christie, Jean-Yves Ravoux
Wade: Adeste fidelesEdward Higginbottom, Choir of New College, Oxford
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 14c, Pas de deux. Variation II "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"Sir Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker
Schütz: Geistliche Chormusik, Op. 11: No. 16, Ein Kind ist uns geboren, SWV 384Louis Devos, Schola Cantorum Bruxelliensis
The Little Drummer BoyThomas Hampson
Charpentier: Messe de minuit pour noël, H. 9: IX. Agnus DeiLes Arts Florissants, William Christie