My Favorite Christmas Tunes, All In One Post
I would be remiss if I didn’t share some more of my favorite Christmas music with you. I rooted around YouTube and found some great renditions for your enjoyment. I’ll put the videos after the jump to save real estate on the page.
Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope you enjoy these tunes as much as I do.
Let’s kick off with some Chanticleer. Here’s their version of the wonderful carol “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”, which was recently named by a BBC poll of 51 choral music directors the best carol even written. I have to agree that it is “nigh-on perfect”. Chanticleer sings it with all the tenderness and emotion the song demands.
And speaking of nearly-perfect Christmas Music, how about John Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music” performed by Rutter’s own choir?
Next is a selection from the beautiful and incredibly talented singers of Celtic Woman. I love “Ding Dong Merrily on High”. It’s tough to feel bad when you listen to this song and the chorus is a wonderful vocal web of twisty harmonies that isn’t as tough to sing as it sounds. By the way, I have a major crush on every single member of this group. I’d love to sit and talk music with them for as long as they could stand me.
Moving away from the “serious” stuff, I can’t resist throwing the only Christmas song written for and about Maryland – David DeBoy’s “Crabs for Christmas”. This is a live version, so it’s not perfect, but it is fun and there’s a dancing crab.
Okay, I saved the best for last. Robert Shaw – the legendary director and composer – and his orchestra and choir from Atlanta. They are, for my money, the finest choir/orchestra combination not currently based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. And when Shaw directs Handel, you know you’re in for some amazing music.
And what’s Christmas without Messiah, anyhow?
So here’s Shaw and Atlanta doing two selections from Handel’s masterpiece: “And the Glory of the Lord” and “Hallelujah”. Crank up the volume and open your heart.
Other Posts of Interest:
- My Favorite Christmas Music Explained: Oh Holy Night
- It’s Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas
- Pandora to be Killed by the Record Industry
Category: Music
Merry Christmas to you too, Jimmy!
Merry Christmas!
And I hate to complain on this die, but I must. The “Crabs for Christmas” video is the same as the one right above it….the celtic ladies. Do you have the dancing crab video link?
@Cheesestick –
Ack, sorry about that. The link is fixed now.
Thank you….have a great Christmas!
[...] I thought I’d give you a few links to some of my favorite Posts of Christmas Past.*Here is some my favorite Christmas Music in one post! There is Handel there, directed by the legendary Robert Shaw, so enjoy.Christmas in [...]