![]() But every measure of the score is an enchanting and masterful example of musical storytelling. Every December one hears its best-known numbers everywhere, especially the Trepak, the Waltz of the Flowers, the March and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is perhaps the most famous classical Christmas music ever. Taking their slippers off their feet and throwing them out of the gate. Once upon a Christmas night the girls were telling fortunes: For December, Tchaikovsky wrote one of his graceful waltzes, and subtitled it “Christmas.” The magazine accompanied it with the following verses by the poet Vasily Zhukovsky: They were written to be published in a magazine subscribers would receive a new piece by Tchaikovsky each month in their copy. Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons is a set of piano pieces in which each piece represents one of the twelve months of the year. This gentle piece is based on a number of traditional carols, including “Good Christian Men Rejoice.” 8) Tchaikovsky’s December: Christmas He wrote his “Christmas Tree” suite in 1881 for his granddaughter Daniela, who had the misfortune of being born on December 24 perhaps she was consoled by the thought that a piece by Liszt has got to be one of the better Christmas/birthday presents anyone has ever received. 7) Liszt’s Christmas Tree SuiteĪlthough he led a scandalous life as a young piano virtuoso, in his later years Franz Liszt joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and took several minor orders within the Catholic Church (including exorcist…). It may have been a rush job, but it still contains a lot of pretty music the movements featuring the harp have some lovely effects. Saint-Saëns’ completed his Oratorio de Noël in just two weeks in order to have it ready to perform on Christmas Day 1858. Maybe save this one for Boxing Day? 6) Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël It does depict the shepherds saying farewell to them, so there is something Christmasy in that part, and it is a great score regardless. Technically this piece is a musical sequel to the Christmas story, since it picks up after the magi with King Herod’s plot to murder all boys under the age of two and the holy family’s consequent flight into Egypt. Like many artists today, Mozart took a “just add sleigh bells” approach to creating a wintry atmosphere. 605, and was most likely composed for a ball at Vienna’s imperial court. This is the last of his Three German Dances K. 4) Mozart’s Sleigh Rideīefore Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, there was Mozart’s. Learn more about the surprising story of Handel’s Messiah in this blog post and podcast. The tradition of performing it at Christmastime can be traced back to early nineteenth-century America, and today orchestras all over the world (including the Houston Symphony) present it every year as an annual holiday tradition. Handel’s Messiah has been one of the most popular pieces of classical music for hundreds of years, thanks in no small part to the famed Hallelujah Chorus. This work is a great next step for classical music lovers already familiar with the next piece on our list, Handel’s Messiah. Each of its six parts would have been performed separately on feast days during the Christmas season. 2) Bach’s Christmas Oratorioīach composed this festive work for the Christmas of 1734. The manuscript of this concerto bears the inscription “Fatto per la notte di Natale” (made for the night of Christmas), and ends with a pastoral finale that evokes the shepherds who came to see the newborn Jesus. 1) Corelli’s Christmas ConcertoĪrcangelo Corelli was one of the finest violinists and composers in late 17th/early18th century Italy. This list is full of both old favorites and rarities, and we hope it brings some classical cheer to your holidays. In roughly chronological order from oldest to newest, here are 15 of the best pieces of classical music written for Christmastime. The same has been true for many Christmas-loving classical composers throughout the ages, so it is no surprise that many of them wrote Christmas music of their own. What would Christmas be without music? For many of us, music is an indelible part of our Christmas memories and traditions.
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