It’s that time of year. Steve and crew have put together another fantastic Christmas music classic. I’ll be keeping it at the top of the site through Christmas. Enjoy, as this is the only culture you will find on TBP throughout the year.
This is our fourth annual Special Christmas Edition of this feature on TBP.
It also marks our 204th consecutive posting. We’re very proud of that and we hope that you’ve enjoyed them.
We make this and our annual Anniversary Edition (the first Sunday of February) special by going all out and featuring anything that we want to post, and we invite you all to do the same.
I try to keep the main feature Classical, but then we add anything that we want to add to our ‘shorts’ that follow.
A note here about just what we do and don’t post here. When we started this almost four years ago we posted only classical music. The thinking then was that it was missing from the TBP website. Thanks to posts included in the comments section for the last four years we now post everything except hard rock.
The reason that we don’t include it isn’t because we don’t like it because we do. We don’t post it here because admin. does such a good job of including everywhere else on his site.
Over the past four years people have posted light rock, pop, jazz, Chinese, Mongolian, Russian, country, and whatever else so we now include everything else here.
So come and see us. There may be something that you like one week and nothing the next, but we want to share it all with everyone.
And this week and the week of our anniversary (the first Sunday in February) we even welcome hard rock.
Although neither of us has included any hard rock this time, I expect that with my love for the band ‘Heart’ that we will in February.
A note about these posts today. We have decided to make them about whatever suggests Christmas to us. By that I mean that we don’t take into account anything here today by people that might be woke or not, Christian or not, or anything else or not. We have posted what we like that reminds us of Christmas. We all love Christmas music so we decided to keep it that way even if just for today.
It’s best to remember that the Christmas season is a time for us all to stop even if just for a few weeks and remember the truly important things in life. A time to step away from the day-to-day worries and frustrations that distract us from what really matters. Friends, family, our spirituality, and our true place in all things on this planet that we share with billions of other souls.
So come and see us. Post your own favorite Christmas music in the comments section. It can be anything that you want. Jazz, Rock, Hard Rock, Classical, anything.
We want to take this time to wish everyone on TBP a very Merry Christmas.
Steve C.
A collaboration of: “The Classic Music Mafia”
Anthony Aaron, and Steve C.
Every Sunday morning we present selections for our TBP family to enjoy.
We present symphonies, ensembles, quartets, octets, etc.
Not all of our music is strictly ‘classical’. We may stray a little, but we strive to make all of our selections ‘classy’.
We offer tips on proper ‘symphony etiquette’ and even some selections that are a bit light-hearted and fun aimed at a younger audience. Those pieces will be so designated, and might be a good way to introduce kids to a world of music that they might not have been exposed to or think of as old and ‘stuffy’.
A full symphony will run as long as it will. We don’t want to cut a symphony short. However, we also include some shorter pieces that we try to keep under fifteen minutes in length. You can sample each and hopefully find one or more that pleases you.
We hope that you enjoy our Sunday selections.
Steve C.
We offer you three feature selections this year.
The first is a nice selection of classical music and the second is more soft stuff with some pop in it. It should be perfect for family gatherings.
The third is big band jazz…
We hope that you will all enjoy this year’s edition of our annual Christmas edition and will find a few things that you like.
Classical Music for Christmas
Metamorphose String Orchestra
Conductor: Pavel Lyubomudrov
Arr. for String Orchestra by Matt Naughtin
It’s the most wonderful time of the year well, almost… You could say that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Get into the holiday spirit for Christmas 2023 with this selection of carols arranged for string orchestra. Classic Christmas songs sit alongside some of the most beloved traditional Christmas carols (We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Joy to the World, Away in a Manger…) in this playlist, also featuring staples of the classical repertoire. Instrumental & classical music will help you set the mood for gift wrapping (or opening!), putting up Christmas decorations, spending time with your loved ones these holidays, or cozying up under a warm blanket in front of a crackling fire. Peaceful, uplifting and serene, these beautiful Christmas tunes are the perfect companion for a snowy winter night.
Tracklist:
0:00:00 Angels We Have Heard on High
0:02:33 Quanno Nascete Ninno
0:04:55 Away in a Manger
0:07:13 Away in a Manger
0:09:17 The Carol of the Drum
0:11:22 Joy to the World
0:12:35 Ding Dong Merrily on High
0:14:32 Deck the Halls
0:16:05 We Wish You a Merry Christmas
0:18:55 Bell Carol / In Dulci Jubilo
0:22:23 Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
0:24:45 Listen, Lordlings, Unto Me
0:26:00 Verbum Caro Factum Est
0:27:08 Carol of the Bells
0:28:57 The Coventry Carol
0:31:16 The Coventry Carol – Lully, Lullay
0:33:54 God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
0:35:49 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
0:39:02 Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)
0:41:18 O Holy Night
0:45:22 Silent Night
0:49:53 Greensleeves (What Child Is This)
0:54:37 The First Noel
0:56:57 The Lord’s Prayer
0:59:48 Amazing Grace
1:06:11 Cantata BWV 147: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
1:10:28 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
1:12:51 O Shepherds, Leave Your Sheep
1:14:15 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
1:17:43 Sing We Now of Christmas
1:22:22 Gaudete
1:23:29 The Gloucestershire Wassail
1:24:45 Here We Come A-Caroling
Christmas Classics
This one is a little different in that it won’t show anything here other than its URL.
According to YouTube, its owner doesn’t want it shown anywhere else.
So you’ll have to click on the URL and go and watch it there for this one. It really is a good piece though. You’ll like it. An hour and fortyone minutes of classy Christmas music. It’s probably perfect for family gatherings…
London Symphony Orchestra.
Percy Faith & His Orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N6zkFBgBVw
And one more. This time it’s Big Band versions…
Glenn Miller Orchestra – In the Christmas Mood
Merry Christmas! This is the complete posthumous 1991 studio album “In the Christmas Mood” by the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Tracklist:
1. Sleigh Ride (0:00)
2. Yuletide Medley #1: Oh Holy Night/Oh Little Town of Bethlehem/Deck the Halls (3:48)
3. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (9:35)
4. Silver Bells (12:52)
5. Jingle Bells (15:30)
6. Frosty the Snowman (20:14)
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (24:21)
8. Yuletide Medley #2: Oh Christmas Tree/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/We Three Kings/What Child Is This? (28:20)
9. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (34:13)
10. Silent Night (37:31)
11. In the Christmas Mood (40:02)
Anthony Aaron
Some modern performances …
One of my favorite violinists, Lindsey Stirling …
O Holy Night
Angels We Have Heard On High
Enya … what I’ve always imagined an angel’s voice to sound like …
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Cellist HAUSER …
Carol of the Bells
Pentatonix … pushing beyond the Birth of Christ to His place on this earthly plane …
Mary, Did You Know?
Celtic Woman …
O Holy Night
O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
HAUSER – Christmas Special – Part 1
And now a few more from Hauser…
Experience the magic of Christmas with HAUSER!
Tracklist:
00:00 – O Holy Night
04:20 – Christmas Song
08:16 – Silent Night
12:17 – Angels We Have Heard On High
Director: Luka Sepčić
Producer: Ana Badurina
Production: SESTRICE
HAUSER – Christmas Special – Part 2
Tracklist:
00:00 – I’ll Be Home for Christmas
03:13 – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
07:12 – Little Drummer Boy
Director: Luka Sepčić
Producer: Ana Badurina
Production: SESTRICE
What Child Is This (from The Chosen Christmas Special) | One Voice Children’s Choir | Kids Cover
And finally this…
This video was filmed as part of Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers.
Choir Director & Arranger Masa Fukuda
Audio Engineer Parker Robinson
Steve C.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Canon
Official music video remastered in HD for Trans-Siberian Orchestra – “Christmas Canon” from ‘The Christmas Attic’ (1998). “Christmas Canon” is set to the tune of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”.
O Holy Night – JOSLIN LIVE with the IRVING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Written and composed Adolphe Adam, John Sullivan Dwight.
Recorded and produced by Joslin in his private Studios.
Performed LIVE with the Irving symphony Orchestra.
Charlotte Church – Silent Night
Charlotte Church – Silent Night (live from the Llandaff Cathedral, 1998)
The Most Beautiful Version of “Hallelujah” You Have Ever Heard – Lucy Thomas
Breakdown of the video:
1. The people, in the beginning, are the people who do reaction videos where they watch and listen to videos and record their reactions while watching the video. All these people in the clips were actually listening to Lucy performing this song and that was their actual reaction to her performance.
2. The middle is the build-up and celebration of actually achieving 10 million views.
3. At the end of the song is the most important person in her life, her mother with a baby Lucy.
4. Finally, the listing of names was all the people in her fan club at the time of the creation of this video.
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
BYU Noteworthy members (2015–16):
Allyssa Jex Blake, Sarah Cunha, Alyssa Flake, Alyssa Aramaki Hazen, Rachael Holt, Jessica McKay Johnson, Janae Klumpp, Tressa Roberts, Taylor Whitlock Smith;
director: Keith McKay Evans
A Christmas Hallelujah – Cassandra Star & her sister Callahan
Sisters Cassandra & Callahan perform this precious Christmas version of “Hallelujah” to share the real meaning of this beautiful season.
Original music by Leonard Cohen Christmas
lyrics by Cloverton Piano by Jeff Buckley Audio
production by Maverick Judson
May the light of our blessed Saviour fill your heart with hope and love this Christmas and always.
Christmas in Heaven
Words and Music by Jeremy Johnson and Paul Marino
Sung by Maribeth Johnson
Do You Hear What I Hear – Martina McBride
Joy to the World (2006) | The Tabernacle Choir
And this one for our friend nkit…
The Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square, and Band of the United States Air Force Reserve perform “Joy to the World” by Lowell Mason and arranged by Mack Wilberg.
Over A Thousand People Came Together To Break a Record – Angels From The Realms Of Glory
One more for nkit…
The Piano Guys, Peter Hollens, David Archuleta, and The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square get together to sing “ngels From The Realms Of Glory”
Snoopy’s Christmas vs. The Red Baron – The Royal Guardsmen
The Royal Guardsmen were 5 guys from Ocala, Florida. They recorded a quartet of songs inspired by Snoopy the Beagle in the “Peanuts” comic strip between 1967 and 1968.
This was the third in the list of Snoopy songs.This was rereleased around Christmas the following 2 years.
Two lines from the traditional song “O Tannenbaum” (the German version of “O Christmas Tree”) are featured at the very beginning of this song.
This song takes place during World War I, and follows up on “Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron,” where Snoopy is a fighter pilot. In “Snoopy’s Christmas,” The Red Baron decides not to shoot Snoopy down, but forces him to land and gives him a Christmas gift.
Bing Crosby – Oh Come All Ye Faithful / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Music video by Bing Crosby performing “Oh Come All Ye Faithful / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
We Don’t Need Anything This Year – The Petersens Original (LIVE)
Katie wrote this original Christmas song at the end of last year and it was perfect to be the title track of our new Christmas project.
“O Holy Night” from The Petersens
I set up a video camera in the recording studio for a couple of my favorite songs going on our new Christmas album. Most of the band recorded together in the room beside me, but the fiddle gets its own room for several reasons.
Hope y’all enjoy our arrangement of this one! “O Holy Night” has been a powerful moment in our live shows, and I love the light upbeat touch that comes with this arrangement to carry some weighty and beautiful lyrics.
The Carpenters Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) with Karen Carpenter (1977)
What would Christmas be without hearing from Karen Carpenter.
How I miss her…sigh…
Program Name: The Carpenters at Christmas 1977
Karen Carpenter wears a silk green jumpsuit singing her version of Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire.
Original Airdate: Friday December 9, 1977 (ABC-TV)
The Carpenters Christmas
The whole album remastered.
Merry Christmas everyone.
The Best Old Christmas Songs with Fireplace Christmas by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby
We’ll finish up this year’s Christmas edition with this collection of oldies.
It starts out with Frank Sinatra singing ‘Jingle Bells’ and then ‘Santa Claus Is coming to Town’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2qqMGFLRAc
The Classic Music Mafia – Adding some class to this joint one Sunday at a time.
Heaven help us…
This has always been my favorite Christmas song.
Excellent choice, Chuck. That entire album is amazing.
And that’s what Linus called him – Chuck.
Wasn’t it Peppermint Patty ?
Supposedly Luciano Pavarotti once said: “Don´t compare me with Jussi Björling. I`m only human.”
O helga natt – Jussi Bjorling (Oh, Holy Night / Sveta noć, 1959)
Ok….,uh…..,this seems a bit strange on Friday night but as always will play along!
Hmmmmm….,favorite Christmas song is by….,well,Jethro Tull entitled aptly enough A Christmas Song!
Ian always took a dim view of those who did not have the true Christmas spirit and is shown in the songs,still,also found some happiness/joy.
Merry Christmas to the Sunday Music Crew/all here,and why not,the world no matter where/who you are and what you believe!
“The Christmas spirit is NOT what you drink”.
The Living in the Past album is on my Christmas playlist every year. It just fits.
It did miss the ending though”Santa,pass us that bottle will ya?”
I have too many Tull collection albums/posts ect. musically to remember!
Thank you Steve C. And crew!
“And this week and the week of our anniversary (the first Sunday in February) we even welcome hard rock.”
Oh boy!I am going to have a field day with that!
How did I miss that first read through?!
Thank you, Steve C., Anthony Aaron, and Admin. Should not be listening to Christmas in Heaven while chopping onions. One of my goals is to find non classical music even Hard Rock in classical format. Is that okay or to post here? It sounds beautiful and the players look like they are having so much fun playing. Thank you.
Might post something in another comment, but I wanted to thank you and wish you a Merry Christmas as soon as possible.
OK,I know at first this seems a weird combo/Bing towards the end of his career while David still at almost peak of his:
That said,Bing lived thru the cold war and all and Bowie had just written the song “Heroes”,about lovers on each side of the wall so maybe not as strange a combo as it originally seems.
Or,perhaps they met/ got drunk in a bar and just said lets go for it!
Ok,a little more “research” led to this article which seems pretty plausible(and actually nice)!
https://www.newsweek.com/story-behind-bowie-bings-unlikely-holiday-duet-sends-welcome-message-divided-times-opinion-1478295
I still believe me story has merit though,basically,mutual respect as artists despite the differences.
They were both true gentleman who worked to make things happen,a rare gift these days!
Absolutely beautiful. Remember watching this when it aired back in the 70’s…I was but a wee lad. But I remember being profoundly moved by this performance.
Still as good as I remember. Thank you for posting.
Thanks, James. Love this. I remember this from when I was single digits and thanks for posting. Merry Christmas, James.
Thank you Steve et al for posting this thread early. 4 days of holy, sacred music. Merry Christmas, everyone.
Actually I didn’t post it. Jim did.
He told me to post it after 5PM on Friday and that he would feature us for Saturday and Sunday, but he posted it himself at about 5:15PM today.
He even wrote us a short intro and said that he would feature us through Christmas.
I’m thrilled!!!
The Father of The Burning Platform always looks out for his ‘children’. He knows what we desperately need at this time. God bless him.
Thanks for posting my favorite Christmas music on this very sad night. Hugs…
Steve and the rest of the classical crew, thanks so much for posting this. I will revisit it many times over the next several days.
I really can’t wait till the first week of February!
We can post hard rock without limitations:i.e. classical band back ups ect.!
Hmmm…..,did not mention metal,do I perhaps see a trap here?!
I am already digging some great metal tunes rarely heard but first time listened folks have always really liked,hope all do for this upcoming month of music mayhem,we already know the standards ect.,time to dig out the gems/unheard classics ect.
Heck,if I can dig up Bowie/Bing for Christmas we can do with a month a hell of a lot of classic/rarely heard metal for February!
I hereby drop a sample:
Be honest,how many knew this tune?!
Sad part is,from what I have heard personally feel only good tune,great musicianship/backup vocals/Marshall stacks ect.,but,could I recommend rest of show………..,have to say no!
I.E.,said good one time rock tunes bringing to February!
“Beep Beep,My Ass!”
Laughing until the New Year
This is not musical at all, but it’s something that I think you might want to watch this Christmas season so this looked like a good place to post it.
It’s a Twilight Zone episode from 1985 that’s about Christmas.
It’s taken from an old short story written by Arthur C. Clark.
It’s only twelve minutes long and it’s worth watching…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ypfYdRbhP8
Love A.C. Clarke and the TZ. Thank you for posting.
Lots of folks still think this is a classic.
I won’t call this one a favorite, but it is most definitely a tradition to listen to it (on vinyl no less) every year at my house.
Jordan Rudess – keyboardist extraordinaire for Dream Theater – went to Juilliard at age 9! Also creates music-related apps. He fell in love with rock music, and I’m not a big fan of keyboards in hard rock music, but he’s definitely an exception.
I was thinking the other day about how – 40+ years ago – rock radio stations would play Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is coming to town” about every 20 minutes. God, I grew to hate that song from that bellowing midget.
Really great list, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you so much, Steve. The Mrs. and I are very grateful.. We wish you, and Anthony, a Merry Christmas.
And a Merry Christmas to you and your family, too, nkit …
“Enjoy, as this is the only culture you will find on TBP throughout the year.”
No, Colorado Artist does a fine job exposing us rubes and unwashed masses to some fine art just about every Friday. Goes well with the cheesecake from nkit and the other FFers.
Saw TSO for the 3 rd time this year and it’s always amazing. I recommend to anyone and everyone. Don’t get seats too close to stage ; I made that mistake last year and you really miss out on a lot of the light and other effects.
Thank you
Old blue eyes…
Good find admin.
And we want to take this time to thank you in front of everybody for the early and late posting for us.
We so appreciate all of your support and for everything that you do for us…
Yep,not my personal cup o tea but that what makes it all interesting/great to hear!
Thanks all,will be hitting me guitar today(acoustic )trying to get it right!
Again,while I will drop more songs as the days go by till Christmas again wish all here and the world a Merry Christmas!
Aflac …
23000 lights , pull up and tune radio to 93.7 FM and enjoy the show
also a laser on the roof to turn off the street light for a better show
A late entry, and one you’ve probably never heard of. Vertical Horizon put out an album in the 90’s and this live version of “The Man who Would Be Santa” was included. I I used to listen to it all the time because the song had a really good rhythm and fast tempo. They were limited to mostly alternative stations at the time which is why it probably never got any major exposure. Still by far my favorite Christmas song with a good message.
Mouse,feel this is what you liked?
Not trying to take over your post/just want all tunes listed.
I am still looking for a Motley Crue Christmas song!
Eh……,not Crue but guess it will work!
Love the Piano Guys. Hope you enjoy.
Very nice piece!
The work to get the grand in and the right acoustics a mission itself/then/the musicians doing their bit…..,Epic!
The next day or two of Christmas tunes will be epic/as it should be!
I’ve never felt the need to fit in and am prepared to flee my family if needed. It’s been that way forever.
Thank you, nkir!
Hmmmm…..,as we were informed open posting including rock ,well…..,gonna go with it!
Tis a song entitled”Hooligans Holiday”,by Crue but was the album without Vince singing but John Cordobi,was a excellent tune and while do not consider it really Crue a jamming piece non the less!
OK,off topic,i.e. Christmas Songs but wanted to add a little humor this season!
Where is “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”?
Why … it’s right here …
Merry Christmas to everyone who reads this post and may the Good God ALWAYS be with you; guiding them, illuminating them and protecting them from secular evils. Peace and good health that I send from Brazil to everyone!
Well,tis almost Birthday Time @ least on the East Coast:
So,Happy Birthday Jesus,may this one be as peaceful and happy as possible!
Turned muddy water into wine/gotta love it!
Merry Christmas, one and all …
Well…..,tis another Tull song:
Yet again,Another Christmas Song!
Have had the joy to see A Christmas Song/Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow/and this classic live many times!
In the end,as I stated before,would love to hand with Jack and Crow during the holiday season(with plenty of mead of course!).
So,as the holiday comes to a close,peace on earth to all here and hopefully the world!