Christmas Around Europe

Episodes

TitleFirst
Broadcast
Comments
Budapest, Ljubljana, Stockholm, Cologne, Arnstadt And Munich20201220Andrew McGregor continues the day-long festival of Christmas and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day. In a year where singing in choirs has largely been curtailed due to the global pandemic, choirs and orchestras come together in socially distant performances of music that celebrates the joy of singing and the wonder of Christmas.

4pm

An Advent concert given by Honv退d F退rfikar (Honv退d Men's Chorus) from Budapest.

JS Bach: Jesu, joy of man's desiring, from 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147

Jacobus Gallus: Natus est nobis

Handel: Thanks be to Thee, O Lord

Rachmaninov: We Praise Thee, O Mother of God

Rejoice, o Virgin (Ave Maria) from 'Vespers (All-Night Vigil), op. 37

Schubert: Psalm 23, D. 796

Franck: Panis Angelicus

Mihကly Mosony: Ave Maria

Ambrož ?opi: Totus tuus

Kodaly: Evening Song

Jan Nieland: Magnificat

Saint-Sa뀀ns: Tollite hostias, from 'Oratorio de No뀀l, op. 12

Randol Alan Bass: Gloria

Tamကs Egresi, baritone

Andrကs Decsi, tenor

Andrကs Stampay-Komesz, baritone

Lကszl  Adriကn Nagy, piano

Richကrd Riederauer, conductor

5pm

An archive Christmas concert from 21 December 2014 from Ljubljana, featuring the Slovenian Philharmonic Chorus directed by Martina Bati?

Music will include:

Valentin Vasilyovych Silvestrov: Liturgical Chants

C退sar Cui: Magnificat

Georgy Vasilevich Sviridov: Having beheld a mysterious Nativity

Traditional (Russia): Shepherds of Bethlehem

Pavel Chesnokov: All of Creation Rejoices in Thee, op. 15/11

Franz Xaver Gruber: Silent Night, Holy Night

Monika Fele, soprano

Mojca Bitenc, soprano

Edita Gar?evi? Koželj, alto

Gašper Banovec, tenor

Martin Logar, tenor

Tomaž Koder, baritone

Martina Bati?, conductor

6pm

A Jazz Christmas Concert with international jazz trombonist, Nils Landgren and Friends, from Stockholm.

Mel Torm退: The Christmas Song

Ron Sexsmith: Maybe This Christmas

Mervyn Edwin Warren: Who Would Imagine a King

Gary Hines: Love is Born

Ron Miller: Someday at Christmas

Frank Loesser: Baby, It's Cold Outside

Trad: Ding Dong! Merrily on High

Roxanne Seeman: Everyday is Christmas

Traditional (Sweded): Prepare the way for the Lord

John Frederick Coots: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Gustaf Lazarus Nordqvist: Yule, yule, radiant yule

Handel: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, aria from Messiah, HWV 56

7pm

Christmas Concert with Rheinische Kantorei and Das Kleine Konzert, from Cologne

Telemann: Siehe! Ich verkündige euch grosse Freude, TVWV 1:1333

T怀net die Freude, belebte Trompeten, TVWV 1:1410

Darzu ist erschienen die Liebe Gottes, TVWV 1:166

Veronika Winter, soprano

Anne Bierwirth, contralto

Georg Poplutz, tenor

Matthias Vieweg, baritone

Hermann Max, conductor

8pm - 9.30pm

The vocal group Ensemble Polyharmonique and Thüringer Bach Collegium perform parts of J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Taking place in the church in Arnstadt where J.S. Bach held his first post as organist (1703-1707), this concert will feature the first three cantatas of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, given by two ensembles that specialise in historically informed performances.

J.S. Bach: Cantatas I-III, from 'Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248

9.30 - 11pm

Christmas Concert with Bavarian Radio Chorus, Munich Radio Orchestra and Howard Arman, from Munich

Johannes Eccard: ܀bers Gebirg Maria geht

Praetorius: Angelus ad pastores ait

Traditional (Germany): Ach bittrer Winter

Schlaf wohl, du Himmelsknabe du

Scheidt: O Jesulein süss

JS Bach: Ich steh´ an Deiner Krippen hier, BWV 469

Arvo P䀀rt: ...which was the son of...

Maxwell Davies : Four carols From O magnum mysterium:

Haylle comly and clene

Alleluia, pro Virgine Maria

The Fader of Heven

Traditional (England) - Coventry Carol

William Ballet: Lute-book lullaby

Warlock: Bethlehem Down

Resonet in laudibus

Lieb Nachtigall, wach auf

Lasst uns froh und munter sein

Traditional (Spiritual): Ain't That A-Rockin

Mary Had a Baby

Traditional (Germany) : O Tannenbaum

Traditional (England): Sussex Carol

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Felix Bernard: Winter Wonderland

Irving Berlin: White Christmas

Howard Arman, conductor

Andrew McGregor is our guide for the rest of this day of Christmas Around Europe.

A day of concerts from around Europe to celebrate Christmas.

Finland And Spain20201220A day-long festival of Christmas and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day. In a year where singing in choirs has largely been curtailed due to the global pandemic, choirs and orchestras come together in socially distant performances of music that celebrates the joy of singing and the wonder of Christmas.

Presented by Hannah French.

1pm

Live Christmas Concert with Maria Ylip䀀䀀 and Friends, from Helsinki. Maria Ylip䀀䀀 and Friends offer a stylistically versatile concert cocktail of Christmas music under the title 'Star of Wonder'. The concert consists of old and new music from Finland and abroad.

Jean Sibelius: Bell Tune of Kallio Church

Terre Roche: Star of Wonder

Alfred S. Burt: Some Children See Him

Joni Mitchell: River

Traditional (Sweden): Mitt hj䀀rta vandrar alltid till platsen du blev f怀dd

Jean Sibelius: En etsi valtaa loistoa

Heino Kaski: M怀kit nukkuu lumiset

Jukka Leppilampi: Aasi ja timpurin muija

Leonard Cohen: Hallelujah

Franz Xaver Gruber: Silent Night, Holy Night

Maria Ylip䀀䀀, vocals

Marzi Nyman, guitar

Niko Kumpuvaara, accordion

Ville Herrala, double bass

2pm

Christmas Concert: The World of Children, with Veus - Cor Infantil Amics de la Uni , from Barcelona, together with soprano Mar퀀a Hinojosa and the Barcelona Symphonic Wind Band, under the baton of Jos退 Rafael Pascual-Vilaplana. Cor Infantil Amics de la Uni  is winner, among other prizes, of the Silver Rose Bowl in the 2013 LTPS competition. Recorded at the Pau Casals Hall, L' Auditori, Barcelona.

Stephen Melillo: David

Nigel Hess: To the Stars!

Bert Apperpont: Celtic Child

Albert Guinovart: Suite Nadalenca

Mar퀀a Hinojosa, soprano

Josep Vila i Jover, chorus director

Jos退 Rafael Pascual-Vilaplana, conductor

Christmas Music from EBU members across Europe and the world, including Finland and Spain.

A day of concerts from around Europe to celebrate Christmas.

Helsinki And Leipzig20181216Andrew McGregor is our guide for the annual day of Christmas concerts from around Europe. Beginning live in Helsinki with the Finnish Baroque Orchestra and then on to Leipzig

1pm - LIVE from Kallio Church, Helsinki

Beginning with the traditional Sibelius bells tune from Kallio Church, the day begins with a live concert from members of the Finnish Baroque Orchestra. Tenor Juho Punkeri sings arias by Handel, and Pauliina Fred and Hanna Haapam䀀ki join the orchestra for a concerto by Telemann.

Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957)

Bell Tune of Kallio Church, for bells

George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759)

Sinfonia, from 'Semele, HWV 58

Where'er you walk, aria from 'Semele, HWV 58

Allemande, from 'Suite in E minor, HWV 429

Total Eclipse, aria from 'Samson, HWV 57

Adagio, from 'Flute Sonata in G, HWV 363b

Gentle airs, melodious strains, aria from 'Athalia, HWV 52

Juho Punkeri , tenor

Marianna Henriksson , harpsichord

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681 - 1767)

Concerto for Recorder and Flute in E minor, TWV 52:e1

Pauliina Fred , Baroque flute

Hanna Haapam䀀ki , recorder

Comfort ye, aria from 'Messiah, HWV 56

Ev'ry valley, aria from 'Messiah, HWV 56

2pm - from Paulinum, Leipzig

The next stop on Radio 3's journey around Europe is Leipzig, for a varied concert of unaccompanied choral works by Poulenc, Tallis, Britten and P䀀rt given by the MDR Radio Chorus, Leipzig.

Jean Mouton (before 1459 - 1522)

Nesciens mater virgo virum, motet for 8 voices

Francis Poulenc (1899 - 1963)

Quatre Motets pour le temps de No뀀l, FP 152

Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)

Frohlocket, ihr V怀lker auf Erden, Kyrie, Ehre sei Gott in der H怀he, WoO 26, Heilig, heilig

Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976)

Hymn to the Virgin

Arvo P䀀rt (1935)

Seven Magnificat Antiphons

Franz Xaver Gruber (1787 - 1863)

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night)

Risto Joost , conductor

Christmas music from around Europe, including Helsinki and Leipzig.

A day of concerts from around Europe to celebrate Christmas.

Iceland, Denmark And Canada20201220A day-long festival of Christmas and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day. In a year where singing in choirs has largely been curtailed due to the global pandemic, choirs and orchestras come together in socially distant performances of music that celebrates the joy of singing and the wonder of Christmas.

Presented by Hannah French.

9am

From Iceland, an Italian Baroque Christmas Concert with the Reykjavik Chamber Orchestra performing music by Pergolesi, Locatelli, Vivaldi and Veracini.

Pergolesi: Violin Concerto in B flat major

Locatelli: Concerti XI a quattro in C minor

Vivaldi: Cello concerto in G major RV 415

Veracini: Overture nr. 6 in Bb major

Laufey Jensd ttir, violin

Steiney Sigur

Malmo, Stuttgart, Ljubljana, Gdansk, Riga, Merseberg And Sofia20191215Part 2 of the EBU's day of Christmas concerts from Malm怀, Stuttgart, Ljubljana, Gda?sk, Riga, Merseberg and Sofia. Presented by Andrew McGregor.

4pm - ST PETER'S CHURCH, MALMր - LIVE

Music from the Swedish folk tradition

TRAD. (Sweden) arr. A. Einarsson: Prepare the way for the Lord

FRANZ BIEBL (1906-2001): Ave Maria

PAUL MEALOR (1975): A Spotless Rose

JOHN GARDNER (1917-2011): Tomorrow shall be my dancing day

KARIN REHNQVIST (1957): Var inte r䀀dd f怀r m怀rkret [Do not fear the darkness]

SOFIA KARLSSON (1975) arr. U. Emanuelsson: Frid p倀 jorden [Peace on Earth]

TRAD, (Germany) arr. S. Wawer: O du stille Zeit

ANDREJ MAKOR (1987): O Lux beata Trinitas

BOB CHILCOTT (1955): Advent Candle

MARTIN ŀSANDER (1987): Ljuset lyser i m怀rkret [The light shines in the darkness]

ERIKS EŠENVALDS (1977): O salutaris Hostia

REGER (1873-1916): Mary's Lullaby

GUSTAF LAZARUS NORDQVIST (1886-1949): Yule, Radiant Yule

EMMY KրHLER (1858-1925) arr. L. Pourkarim: Nu t䀀ndas en stund p倀 jorden [A moment on Earth is lit]

St Petri Youth Choir

Petri Femme

Carl Adam Landstr怀m (organ/piano)

Alexander Einarsson (conductor)

5pm - GAISBURG CHURCH, STUTTGART, GERMANY - LIVE

Christmas Songs by Reger and Slovenians Damijan Mo?nik and Jacobus Gallus

REGER (1873-1916): Es kommt ein Schiff geladen

DAMIJAN MO?NIK (1967): Acclamatio

REGER: Unser lieben Frauen Traum

MO?NIK: Janez, pusti konji?ke [John leave the flock]

REGER: Vom Himmel hoch

MO?NIK: Geburtsnacht

JACOBUS GALLUS (1550-1591): Mirabile mysterium

- Hodie Christus natus est

MO?NIK: Je eno Dete rojeno [A Child is born]

REGER: Schlaf mein Kindelein

MO?NIK: Boži?na uspavanka [Christmas Lullaby]

MO?NIK: Sacra religio

SWR Vocal Ensemble, Stuttgart

Martina Bati? (director)

6pm - CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS, LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

Slovenian Christmas songs and organ music

LEOPOLD BELAR (1828-1899): All of Nature is Resting

HUGOLIN SATTNER (1851-1934): Holy Night

BELAR: Behold, the Stars of God

VALENTIN ŠTOLCER (1841-1910): Heavenly Strings

STANKO PREMRL (1880-1965): Organ Pastorale in F

GREGOR RIHAR (1796-1863): Approaching Midnight

AVGUST CERER (1908-1980): Sleep, Little Baby

SATTNER: Blessed Night

PREMRL: Just Sleep

UBALD VRABEC (1905-1992): It was Night

MIRKO RENER (1919-1993): Christmas Eve

PREMRL: Organ Prelude from Christmas Suite

FRANZ XAVER GRUBER (1787-1863): Silent Night, Holy Night

DEKOR Chamber Choir

Petra Grassi (conductor)

Photo of DEKOR in St Francis Church (c) Hugo Šekoranja

7.05pm - CENTRUM ?WI?TEGO JANA, GDA?SK, POLAND - LIVE

Closing concert of the Actus Humanus Nativitas Festival

MICHAEL PRAETORIUS (c.1571-1621): Christmas Mass

Gabrieli Consort & Players

Paul McCreesh (conductor)

8.30pm - RADIO LATVIA STUDIO 1, RIGA, LATVIA

BRITTEN (1913-1976) - Interlude from A Ceremony of Carols, op. 28

TRAD. (France) arr. J. Jan?evskis: Veni Veni Emmanuel

TRAD. (England) arr. Jan?evskis: God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

PRAETORIUS: Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen

TRAD. (France) arr. Jan?evskis: La Marche des rois

Jolanta Strikaite-Lapi?a (soprano)

Ainars Šablovskis (saxophone, duduk)

Ieva Šablovska (harp)

Raimonds Tiguls (piano)

Marta Kauli?a (percussion)

9pm - CATHEDRAL, MERSEBERG, GERMANY

Gewandhaus organist Michael Sch怀nheit plays the Ladegast Organ, made famous by Franz Liszt

J.S. BACH (1685-1750): Prelude and Fugue in C, BWV 547

- Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659

- Vom Himmel hoch, BWV 700

J.M. BACH (1648-1694): In dulci jubilo

JOSEF SEGER (1716-1782): Toccata VIII: Pastorale and Fugue (‘Narodil se Kristus Pကn')

BRAHMS (1833-1897): Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, op. 122/8

CHRISTIAN ROBERT PFRETZSCHNER (1821-1885): Variations in the Style of a Pastorale on ‘Silent Night

RHEINBERGER (1839-1901): Organ Sonata No. 4 in A minor, op. 98

Michael Sch怀nheit (organ)

10pm - BNR STUDIO 1, SOFIA, BULGARIA

Bulgarian and Russian Orthodox pieces, and lively Bulgarian works based on folklore

DOBRI HRISTOV (1875-1941): Troparion of the Nativity of Christ

KIRIL POPOV (1955): Rejoice, O Virgin

IOANNIS KOUKOUZELIS (fl. 1300-50): Terirem from the Polyeleos of the Bulgarian Woman

YORDAN GOSHEV (1960): We Sing to Thee

APOSTOL NIKOLAEV-STROUMSKI (1886-1971): Bless the Lord, O My Soul

KONSTANTIN SHVEDOV (1886-1954): O Lord, Bless Thine Inheritance

ALEXANDER TEKELIEV (1942): It is Truly Meet

HRISTOV: Praise the Name of the Lord

DMITRY BORTNIANSKY (1751-1825): Glory to God in the Highest

HRISTOV: The Lord is Born, O Christmas

STEFAN DRAGOSTINOV (1948): The Lord's Mother

TRAD. (Bulgaria): Why did you raise me, my mother

- You, Beautiful Girl

NIKOLAY STOYKOV (1936): Christmas Impressions

ALEXANDER TANEV (1928-1996): Yove, Little Girl

BORTNIANSKY: The Many Years Prayer / Grant, O Lord, Many Years

BNR Mixed Choir

Lyubomira Alexandrova (conductor)

11pm: RADIO LATVIA STUDIO 1, RIGA, LATVIA

L?S?NS: Prayer

LATVIAN: Hurry, little mouse

TIGULS: Little Star

TRAD. Mitt hjerte alltid vanker

Andrew McGregor is our guide for part 2 of Christmas Around Europe

A day of concerts from around Europe to celebrate Christmas.

Munich, Prague, Montreal, Reykjavik, Lisbon, Graz And Copenhagen20181216Andrew McGregor is our guide for the annual day of Christmas concerts from around Europe. Including concerts from Munich, Prague, Montreal, Reykjavik, Lisbon, Graz and Copenhagen

4pm - LIVE from Studio 1, Bavarian Radio, Munich

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): From 'Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248'; Cantatas 1, 2, 3 & 6

Christina Landshamer, soprano

Ulrike Malotta, mezzo-soprano

Julian Pr退gardien, tenor

Andreas Wolf, bass-baritone

Bavarian Radio Chorus

Basel Chamber Orchestra

Howard Arman, conductor

6pm - LIVE from Great Hall, New Town Hall, Prague

Jir퀀 Ignကc Linek (1725-1791): Pastorella in D

Jiri Antonin Benda (1709-1786): Grave in E minor

František Xaver Brixi (1732-1771): Sinfonia in F

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Violin Concerto in G, Hob. VIIa:4

Linek: Symphonia pastoralis

Ivan Ženatý, violin

Ensemble 18+

7pm - From La Visitation-du-Sault-au-R退collet Church, Montreal

Michel Corrette (1709-1795): Noel Symphony No. 2 in D

Traditional (France): Entre le boeuf et l' ne gris

Marc-Antoine Charpentier (ca 1645-1704): No뀀ls sur les instruments, H. 534

Traditional (France): No뀀l nouvelet

Charpentier: La Nuit, from oratorio 'Dialogus inter angelos et pastores Judeae' H. 420

Charpentier: Excerpts from 'No뀀ls pour les instruments, H. 531

Traditional (France): Berger, secoue ton sommeil profound

Corrette: Noel Symphony No. 4 in D minor

Traditional (France): Quelle est cette odeur agreeable

Michel-Richard Delalande (1657-1726): No뀀ls en trio

Delalande: Symphonie des No뀀ls, S. 130

Traditional (France): Il est n退 le divin Enfant, Peuple fid耀le, Les Anges dans nos campagnes

Hugo Laporte, baritone

Michel Angers, theorbo, archlute

Clavecin en Concert Ensemble

Luc Beaus退jour, conductor

8pm - From Salurinn Concert Hall, K pavogur

Traditional (Iceland): Hကt퀀

Part 120211219A day-long festival of Christmas music and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day. Choirs and ensembles come together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas. First we travel to Russia with the Moscow Synodal Choir; then to Tallinn in Estonia, with Vox Clamantis, and then from Leipzig, in Germany, we hear Mendelssohn, and from Riga in Latvia, music by Handel.

11.00 Moscow - the Moscow Synodal Choir sing Russian liturgical music dedicated to the Miracle of Christmas and to the Mother of God. It includes 18 works of Orthodox choral tradition from the 16th to 21st centuries.

Anon. 17th century: It is worthy

Miliy Balakirev: From above the Prophetess

Alexander Arkhangelsky: Diligently unto the Mother of God

Pyotr Tchaikovsky: It is worthy

Pavel Chesnokov: Mother of God; The Zealous Intercessor; An Angel Cried

Sergei Rachmaninov: To the Mother of God, the Virgin, from the All-Night Vigil

Alexander Frunza: My Soul Magnifies the Lord

Nikolai Danilin: All of Creation Rejoices In Thee

Konstantin Shvedov: It Is Worthy

Nikolai Vedernikov: All Angels Rejoice

Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev): Vzbrannoy Voivode, from All-night vigil

Alexey Puzakov, chorus director

12.00 Tallinn - live: Vox Clamantis sing music by Arvo P䀀rt and Gregorian chant.

Gregorian introitus: Dominus dixit

Improvisation by Andrew Lawrence-King

Gregorian antifon: O Adonai

Arvo P䀀rt: Seven Magnificat Antiphons

Gregorian communio In splendoribus

Arvo P䀀rt: Which was the Son of -

Gregorian antiphon: Hodie Christus natus est

Arvo P䀀rt: Nunc dimittis

Jaan-Eik Tulve, chorus director

13.00 Leipzig - the MDR Radio Chorus perform Christmas music by Mouton, Poulenc, Mendelssohn, Britten, P䀀rt and Gruber, conducted by Risto Joost.

Mouton: Nesciens mater virgo virum, motet a 8

Poulenc: Quatre Motets pour le temps de No뀀l

F. Mendelssohn: Frohlocket, ihr V怀lker auf Erden Deutsche Liturgie: Kyrie, Ehre sei Gott in der H怀he and Heilig

Britten: Hymn to the Virgin

Gruber: Stille Nacht (Silent Night)

Risto Joost, director

14.00 Riga - live - Christmas music by Handel and his contemporaries

Isabella Leonarda: Sonata Duodecima, op. 16/12

George Frideric Handel: Sü߀e Stille, sanfte Quelle, HWV 205; Singe, Seele, Gott zum Preise, HWV 206

Pietro Antonio Locatelli: Trio Sonata in G, op. 5/1

George Frideric Handel: Süsser Blumen Ambraflocken, HWV 204; Flammende Rose, Zierde der Erden, HWV 210

Ilze Gr?vele-Skaraine, soprano

Maija K?avi?a, Baroque flute

Agnese Kanni?a, Baroque violin

M?ra Botmane, Baroque cello

Ieva Saliete, harpsichord

The annual celebration of Christmas music from all around Europe.

A day of concerts from around Europe to celebrate Christmas.

Part 120221218A day-long festival of Christmas music and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day. Choirs and ensembles come together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas. First we travel to Montreal with L'Harmonie des Saisons; then to Lleida in Spain, with Mar퀀a Espada and Bach Collegium Barcelona, and then from Prague we hear Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and Children's Choir, and from Copenhagen in Denmark, festive music by British composers. Then we travel to Germany for music from Munich, including Praetorius, and Frankfurt.

Andrew McGregor (presenter)

09.00 Montreal - Old and New World Baroque Music for Christmas with L'Harmonie des Saisons.

TRADITIONAL CZECH Nesem vကm noviny

MICHAEL PRAETORIUS In dulci jubilo

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH Greensleeves & The Lute Book Lullaby

TRADITIONAL FRENCH No뀀l Nouvelet & Entre le boeuf et l' ne gris

TRADITIONAL CANADIAN No뀀l Huron

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH There is no rose of such virtue

MICHAEL PRAETORIUS Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

JUAN GARCIA DE ZESPEDES Convidando esta la noche

ROQUE JACINTO DE CHAVARRIA Fuera, Fuera, Haganles Lugar!

ANTONIO DE SALAZAR Tarara, Tarara!

DOMENICO ZIPOLI Pastorale

ALONSO TORIZES Toca la Flauta

METHEO FLECHA Riu riu chiu

JEHAN TABOUROT Branle de l'Official

Denise Torre Ormeno (soprano)

Philippe Gagn退 (tenor)

Eric Milnes (organ, harpsichord and direction)

10.00 Lleida (LIVE) - Mar퀀a Espada and Bach Collegium Barcelona, from the Enric Granados Auditorium in Lleida, Catalonia.

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV.61

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL Laudate pueri Dominum in D, HWV.237

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV.147

Mar퀀a Espada (soprano)

Chamber Choir of the Enric Granados Auditorium

Xavier Puig (chorus director)

Soloists from the Salvat Bach Grant

Pau Jorquera (conductor)

1100 Prague (LIVE) - Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and Children's Choir, from the Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia in Prague .

MACIEJ MALECKI Concertino in an Old Style for Two Harps and String Orchestra

EDWARD ELGAR Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20

BENJAMIN BRITTEN A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28

Lydia H䀀rtelovက (harp)

Martin Sad퀀lek (harp)

Czech Radio Children's Choir

V?ra Hrdinkovက (chorus director)

Strings of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Vlastimil Kobrle (violin, direction)

1200 Copenhagen - Danish National Vocal Ensemble and the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir, from Copenhagen. The Danish National Vocal Ensemble and chief conductor Marcus Creed dip into the treasure chest of modern British repertoire for the season.

FRANCIS GRIER Alleluia, I bring you news of great joy

HERBERT HOWELLS Sing Lullaby

PETER WARLOCK Bethlehem Down

NILS GREENHOW Love came down at Christmas

SALLY BEAMISH In the stillness

BENJAMIN BRITTEN A Boy was Born, Op. 3

Marcus Creed (conductor)

1300 Munich - Howard Arman's Christmas Story based on the Apocryphal Revelation of James. The Christmas story is told in its entirety by soloists in various roles according to the Apocrypha, the Gospels not authorised by the Church.

JOHANN HERMANN SCHEIN Veni redemptory gentlum

JOHANN HERMANN SCHEIN Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (verses 1-3, 7)

NICOLAUS ZANGIUS Angelus ad pastores alt a 6

HIERONYMUS PRAETORIUS Angelus ad pastores alt a 8

HANS LEO HASSLER Angelus ad pastores alt a 9

MELCHIOR VULPIUS Angelus ad pastores alt a 10

ANONYMOUS Da pacem Domine (Antiphonale Monasticum)

JOHANN HERMANN SCHEIN Verleih uns Frieden gnaediglich

HIERONYMUS PRAETORIUS Agnus Dei

Part 120231217A day-long festival of Christmas music and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day. Choirs and ensembles come together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas. First we travel to Hanover with the NDR Radio Philharmonic; then to Amsterdam with the choir of St John's College, Cambridge, and then from Stockholm we hear Musica Temprana perform music from the Iberian Peninsula, and from Stuttgart, a Christmas concert given by the SWR Vocal Ensemble.

Sarah Walker (presenter)

09.00: Hanover - Christmas music by Bach and his contemporaries with the NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, from Hannover

Bach: Opening Chorus from the cantata 'Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61

Jesus bleibet meine Freude, from the cantata 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147

Choral excerpts from 'Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248

Manfredini: Concerto grosso in C ('Con una Pastorale per il Santissimo Natale')

Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, RV 531

Lute Concerto in D, RV 93

Michael Hofstetter, conductor

10.00: Amsterdam: The Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, with a feast of festive music

Trad, arr. Vaughan Williams: This is the Truth Sent from Above

Tamsin Jones: Noel: Verbum caro factum est

Anon, arr Philip ledger: Sussex Carol

Anon: There is no rose

Howells: A Spotless Rose

Sing Lullaby

Here is the little door

Bach: In dulci jubilo, BWV 729

Sweelinck: Hodie Christus natus est

Byrd: O admirabile commercium

Victoria: O magnum mysterium

Becky McGlade: In the bleak midwinter

Cornelius: The three kings

Felix Mendelssohn: When Jesus our Lord, from 'Christus, op. 97, oratorio

Adam: O Holy Night

Cantique de Noël/Minuit, chrétiens

Felix Mendelssohn: Hark! The herald angels sing

Christopher Gray, conductor

11.00: Stockholm: Musica Temprana perform music from Iberian Peninsula

12.00: Stuttgart – a Christmas concert given by the SWR Vocal Ensemble

Pärt: Excerpts from 'Berlin Mass' – Kyrie, Gloria

Pärt: Magnificat

Pärt: Excerpts from 'Berlin Mass' – Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei

Evelin Seppar: Seesama meri

Ravel, arr. Clytus Gottwald: La vallée des cloches, from 'Miroirs

Gundega Smite: Light Seeking Light

Adrianna Kubica-Cypek: L'hiver

Pēteris Vasks: Plainscapes

Jan Sandström: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

SWR Vocal Ensemble, Stuttgart

Krista Audere, conductor

The annual celebration of Christmas music from all around Europe.

A day of concerts from the European Broadcasting Union to celebrate Christmas.

The annual celebration of Christmas from all around Europe, with music from Hanover, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Stuttgart. Presented by Sarah Walker.

Part 220211219A day-long festival of Christmas music and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day. Choirs and ensembles come together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas.

1600: Athens - the ERT Chorus sing a selection of traditional Greek Christmas songs.

Tsalahouris: I prosefhi ton Christougennon (Christmas prayer), op. 78/1

Adamis: Carols from the Propontis

Tsalahouris: La nativita del Signore (The birth of the Lord), from 'Liturgy No 3

Adamis: Idiomelon for Christmas No 1

Tsougras: Popse Christos gennithike (Tonight the Christ was born), Christmas carols from Eastern Thrace

Adamis: Idiomelon for Christmas No 2

Samarကs: Carols from Pontus (erasu)

Papadatos: Christmas carols from the Propontis

Taylor: Dentro Christougenniatiko (Christmas Tree)

Rosopoulos: Saranta Meres (Forty Days), Traditional carols from Thrace

Samarကs: Magnum Mysterium

Pappကs: Carols from Kastoria

Baltas: Dormi, Jesu, from 'Christmas Story

Karagkezidis: Elate edo, geitonisses (Come here, neighbours), Carol from Epirus

Papadimitriou: Anarchos Theos (Eternal God), Byzantine carol

Samarကs: Christmas carols from Metsovo, Ioannina

Economou: Carols from the Propontis

Nikos Vasileiou, conductor

1700: Pite倀 (Sweden): the Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble sing Praetorius and traditional Swedish Christmas songs.

Folkmusik, arr. Anders րhrwall: Bereden va?g

Trad.: In dulci Jubilo / Improvisation

Praetorius / Jan Sandstr怀m: Det a?r en ros utsprungen

Olsson: Guds son a?r fo?dd - Torbj怀rn N䀀sbom, nyckelharpa

Karsendal: Sn怀n

Alfv退n: Julsa?ng

Tulpolska - Torbj怀rn N䀀sbom, nyckelharpa

Trad.: Polska efter Byss-Kalle - Torbj怀rn N䀀sbom, nyckelharpa + David Wahl退n, accordion

Olsson: Advent - David Wahl退n, accordion

Sko?ld: There is no rose

Folkmusik, arr. Gunnar Eriksson: Kristallen den fina

Gruber, arr. David Wikander: Stilla Natt

Folkmusik, arr. Jan-ŀke Hillerud: Staffansvisa

Wikander: Det brinner en stja?rna

Tegn退r: Betlehems stj䀀rna - Aaron Sunstein, organ

Nordqvist: Jul, jul, stra?lande jul

Ankarblom: Lussepolska

1800: Copenhagen: Ars Nova Copenhagen

Rheinberger: 4 Advent Motets

P䀀rt:...which was the son of...

Poulenc: Un Soir de Neige

Byrd: O Magnum Mysterium

Trad. Anglo-American arr. P. Hillier: Joys Seven

Trad. Portuguese arr. F. Lopes-Gra瀀a: Do var o nasceu a vara

Trad. Italian arr. P. Hillier: Gesù bambin l'耀 nato

Trad. Austrian arr. P. Hillier: Heissa Buama

Praetorius arr. P. Hillier: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

Trad. English arr. P. Hillier: Ding Dong merrily on high

Paul Hillier, director

1900: Berlin - The Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rinaldo Alessandrini, perform Bach cantatas and concertos.

JS Bach: Sinfonia, from Cantata 'Ich liebe den H怀chsten von ganzem Gemüte, BWV 174

Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F, BWV 1047

Sinfonia, from Cantata 'Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht, BWV 52

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G, BWV 1048

Cantta: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51

Siri Karoline Thornhill, soprano

Reinhold Friedrich, trumpet

2000 : Stuttgart - The SWR Vocal Ensemble with a programme of Scandinavian Christmas music.

Odde: Snilla Patea for choir and fiddle

Gjeilo: Tota pulchra es Maria

Matre: Eit barn er født i Betlehem (A Child is Born in Bethlehem)

Sixten: Marias Wiegenlied (Stille Nacht)

Nordqvist: Jul jul str倀lande jul (Yule, Yule, Radiant Yule)

Sørensen: Benedictus

Karlsson: Frid p倀 Jord

la Cour: Hodie Christus natus est

Nystedt: Hosanna für Frauenstimmen

Praetorius, arr. Jan Sandstr怀m: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

Traditional, arr. Gunther Martin G怀ttsche: O du fr怀hliche

Asbjørn Indahl, arr. Gjermund Larsen: Gropen

Espen Wensaas, cittern

Mini Schulz, double bass

Yuval Weinberg, director

2100: Vancouver - Early Music Vancouver perform Bach.

Bach: Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben, Cantata No. 4, from Christmas Oratorio

Ehre sei Dir, Gott, gesungen, Cantata No. 5, from Christmas Oratorio

Myriam Leblanc, soprano

Suzie LeBlanc, soprano

Nicholas Burns, countertenor, altus

Colin Balzer, tenor

Tyler Duncan, baritone

Pacific Baroque Orchestra

Alexander Weimann, director

2200: Sofia - Gli Accordati Vocal Ensemble perform Christmas music.

Sweelinck: Hodie Christus natus est

Willaert: Sempre mi ride sta donna

Lassus: Allala pia calia

Stravinsky: Ave Maria

Lassus: Chi chilichi? Cucurucu!

Jacobus (Jacob) Gallus (Handl): Pater Noster

Poulenc: Quatre Motets pour le temps de No뀀l, FP 152:

II Quem vidistis pastores dicite

III Videntes stellam

IV Hodie Christus natus est

Janequin: Au joly jeu

P䀀rt: Bogor ditse Dj退vo (Mother of God and Virgin)

Certon: La, la, la, je ne l'ose dire

Stravinsky: Bogor ditse Dj退vo (Mother of God and Virgin)

Gesualdo: Ave, dulcissima Maria

Anonymous - There is no Rose

Dragomir Yossifov, conductor

The annual celebration of Christmas music from all around Europe.

A day of concerts from around Europe to celebrate Christmas.

Part 220221218A day-long festival of Christmas music from across Europe, in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day, continues with concerts from Saarbrucken, Gothenburg, Utrecht, Hamburg, Reykjavik and London, presented by Hannah French.

1600: From Saarbrucken: Fairytale operas, touching arias and the first 'Christmas Medley' in classical music history - it's Christmas time at the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie! The festive Christmas programme contains highlights of opera literature such as Humperdinck's 'Abendsegen' and the subsequent 'Traumpantomime', but also many other musical rarities such as the two lullabies by Reger and Strauss.

Humperdinck: Overture to 'H䀀nsel und Gretel

Richard Strauss: Wiegenlied, op. 41/1

Humperdinck: Festkl䀀nge, from 'Dornr怀schen, orchestra suite

Wilhelm Kienzl: Weihnacht, op. 74

Humperdinck: Evening Prayer and Pantomime, from 'H䀀nsel and Gretel

Tchaikovsky: March of the Tin Soldiers, from the ballet 'The Nutcracker

Reger: Mari䀀 Wiegenlied (Mary's Lullaby)

Richard Strauss: Ist ein Traum kann nicht wirklich sein, from 'Der Rosenkavalier

Victor Hely-Hutchinson: A Carol Symphony

Elsa Benoit, soprano

Sarah Romberger, mezzo-soprano

German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern

Pietari Inkinen, conductor

1700: From Gothenburg: The G怀teborg Baroque perform music by Buxtehude and contemporaries.

Buxtehude: In dulci jubilo

Bach: Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV 700

Michael Praetorius: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

Buxtehude: Jesu dulcis memoria

Christian Geist: Wie sch怀n leuchtet der Morgenstern

Johann Theile: Nun ich singe, Gott ich knie

Buxtehude: Das neugeborne Kindelein

Anna Jobrant, sop

Amanda Flodin, alto

Jorge Navarro Colorado, tenor

Karl Peter Eriksson, bass

Magnus Kjellson, director

1800: From Utrecht: The Amsterdam Sinfonietta focuses on Mary, mother of Jesus. Composers of all times and currents have celebrated her, and tonight the combination of Mary's divine mission and her motherly love comes to life in a program with alternating radiant music and intimate sounds.

Telemann: Trumpet Concerto in D, TWV. 41

Bernhard Krol: Magnificat Variations, op. 40

Finzi: The Salutation, from 'Dies Natalis, op. 8

Handel: Eternal Light, HWV 74 (Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne)

Traditional (Sweden) - Two traditional Christmas songs

Hugh Martin: Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Johanna Wallroth, soprano

H倀kan Hardenberger, trumpet

Tomo Keller, conductor

1900: From Hamburg: Diana Damrau sings arias by Bach, H䀀ndel and Mozart as well as German Christmas Songs.

Diana Damrau, soprano

Matthias H怀fs, trumpet

NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

Gianluca Capuano, conductor

2100: From Reykjavik: The theme of the concert is 'The North' with program highlighting baroque music by composers who worked in northern Europe; from London, north to Potsdam and further north to Denmark, Norway and Sweeden. As western music did not reach the coasts of Iceland until the second half of the 19th century the members of the RCO will make up for it by playing their own baroque arrangements of icelandic traditional music and Christmas carols.

Traditional (Iceland) - Hကt퀀

Part 220231217

The annual celebration of Christmas from all around Europe continues with music from Riga, with the Sinfonietta Rīga conducted by Normunds Šnē.

Presented by Hannah French.

Handel: Organ Concerto in B flat, op. 4/6, HWV 294
Alfreds Kalnins: Christmas Lullaby
Rihards Dubra: Christmas Concertino
Liszt: 'Weihnachtsbaum, Christmas Tree Suite, S. 186' - excerpts
Handel: Concerto grosso in C, HWV 318 ('Alexander's Feast')

Liene Andreta Kalnciema, organ
Daumants Liepinš, piano
Sinfonietta Rīga
Normunds Šnē

A day of concerts from the European Broadcasting Union to celebrate Christmas.

The annual celebration of Christmas from all around Europe continues with music from Riga, with the Sinfonietta Rīga conducted by Normunds Šnē.

Part 220231217The annual celebration of Christmas from all around Europe continues with music from Riga, with the Sinfonietta Rīga conducted by Normunds Šnē.

Presented by Hannah French.

Handel: Organ Concerto in B flat, op. 4/6, HWV 294

Alfreds Kalnins: Christmas Lullaby

Rihards Dubra: Christmas Concertino

Liszt: 'Weihnachtsbaum, Christmas Tree Suite, S. 186' - excerpts

Handel: Concerto grosso in C, HWV 318 ('Alexander's Feast')

Liene Andreta Kalnciema, organ

Daumants Liepinš, piano

A day of concerts from the European Broadcasting Union to celebrate Christmas.

Part 320231217

A day-long festival of Christmas music and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union’s annual Christmas music day. Choirs and ensembles come together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas. In this part, we travel to Reykjavík for a programme by Nordic Affect, then to Copenhagen and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, and then to Munich for a jamboree of Christmas film music. Later in the evening, concerts from Paris, Helsinki, Lisbon and Sofia.

Presented by Hannah French and Andrew McGregor.

16.00: Reykjavík: Christmas concert: The Light Comes with Nordic Affect, including music by Holborne and Purcell, performed by Nordic Affect.

Eyjólfur Eyjólfsson, vocals, angelica flute (fadno) and Icelandic drone zither
Ian Wilson, recorders
Halla Steinunn Stefánsdóttir, baroque violin
Hanna Loftsdóttir, viola da gamba
Gudrún Óskarsdóttir, harpsichord

17.00: Copenhagen: The Danish National Vocal Ensemble with Christmas music.

Povl Hamburger: Der er ingenting i verden så stille som sne
(There is nothing in the world as quiet as snow)
Trad, arr Jim Clements: Gabriel’s Message
Trad, arr. Stefan Claas: Maria gennem torne går
(Mary through thorns walks)
Trad, arr. Nigel Short: Quem pastores laudavere
Niels Gade: Barn Jesus i en krybbe lå
(Infant Jesus in a manger lay)
Jacob Meidell: Dejlig er den himmel blå
(Lovely is the sky so blue)
Niels la Cour: Hodie Christus natus est
Bára Gisladottir: NĀT
Nielsen: Mit hjerte altid vanker
(My heart always wanders)

Bach: In dulci jubilo, BWV 608
Praetorius: In dulci jubilo
Bach: In dulci jubilo, BWV 729
Bo Holten: First Snow

Trad: Dejlig er jorden
(Lovely is the earth)
Danish National Vocal Ensemble

Mads Høck, organ
Bára Gísladóttir, double bass
Phillip Faber, conductor
https://www.phillipfaber.dk/

18.00: Munich: Christmas Classics at the Movies with the Bavarian Radio Chorus and Munich Radio Orchestra under the baton of Gavin Sutherland.

Favourite soundtracks from cinema classics of the Christmas season including James Horner's music from How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Carl Davis's Christmas Carol Suite.

19.00: Paris - Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker from Orchestre National de France conducted by Fabien Gabel.

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, op. 71, ballet in two acts
Orchestre National de France
Petr Popelka, conductor

On Christmas Eve, young Clara receives a nutcracker that turns into a prince, while the toys come to life and everyone flies off to the kingdom of candy. On this thin plot, Tchaikovsky pours treasures of melodies, up to the audacious use of the celesta in the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, which makes the salt of the second act. No doubt, Christmas is coming.

20.35: Helsinki - Christmas Dinner at the Brodsky's with violinists Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen, including music by Brahms, Grieg and Tchaikovsky.

Minna Pensola, violin
Antti Tikkanen, violin

Counted among the most influential figures in the music world of the late 19th century, the violinist Adolph Brodsky had close relations with many of the musical superstars of the age. We know, for instance, that Brahms and Tchaikovsky were only on very frosty, formal terms. At Christmas 1887, Brodsky took the considerable risk of inviting both composers to dine at the same table. Tchaikovsky was shocked when he saw Brahms, who was visiting Brodsky for a rehearsal of his piano trio. The atmosphere was charged because both composers were on the record as saying they found the other’s music unpleasant. To keep the peace over Christmas dinner, Tchaikovsky nonetheless refrained from commenting upon his colleague’s playing, and the atmosphere lightened further once Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina joined the assembled guests.
In this concert, familiar pieces of chamber music by Brahms, Grieg and Tchaikovsky meet new arrangements of popular Finnish Christmas carols.

21.30: Lisbon - Portuguese Sacred Music with soprano Mariana Castello-Branco and the Avres Serva ensemble.

Manuel Rodrigues Coelho: Verses on the 2nd tone, from 'Magnificat'
Frei Jerónimo da Madre de Deus: In Sabatho Sancto: Lectio 8a ‘Et ideo novi testamenti’
Domenico Gabrielli: Sonata No. 1
Ricercari, canone e sonate per violoncello
Frei Francisco do Carmo: Organ Verses on the 6th tone, according to the prayer of the psalm from the Royal Choir at the Monastery of Arouca
Policarpo José António da Silva: Lisam Primeyra da 5a Feira
Francisco de São Boaventura: Toccata
João José Baldi: Calendar for Christmas Eve
António da Silva Leite: Feria V in Coena Domini Lectio VI

Mariana Castello-Branco, soprano
Pedro Massarrão, cello
Avres Serva Ensemble
Nuno Oliveira, organ, director

22:30: Sofia - Cantanti DAI MONTI VERDI with madrigals, villancicos and Orthodox songs.

Cantanti DAI MONTI VERDI

Italian madrigals by Franco-Flemish composers, alongside Spanish villancicos and Orthodox strochny and demestvenny part-singing.

A day of concerts from the European Broadcasting Union to celebrate Christmas.

The annual celebration of Christmas from all around Europe continues with music from
Reykjavik, Copenhagen and Munich. Presented by Hannah French.

Part 320231217A day-long festival of Christmas music and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day. Choirs and ensembles come together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas. In this part, we travel to Reykjavík for a programme by Nordic Affect, then to Copenhagen and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, and then to Munich for a jamboree of Christmas film music. Later in the evening, concerts from Paris, Helsinki, Lisbon and Sofia.

Presented by Hannah French.

16.00: Reykjavík: Christmas concert: The Light Comes with Nordic Affect, including music by Holborne and Purcell, performed by Nordic Affect.

Eyjólfur Eyjólfsson, vocals, angelica flute (fadno) and Icelandic drone zither

Ian Wilson, recorders

Halla Steinunn Stefánsdóttir, baroque violin

Hanna Loftsdóttir, viola da gamba

Gudrún Óskarsdóttir, harpsichord

17.00: Copenhagen: The Danish National Vocal Ensemble with Christmas music.

Povl Hamburger: Der er ingenting i verden så stille som sne

(There is nothing in the world as quiet as snow)

Trad, arr Jim Clements: Gabriel's Message

Trad, arr. Stefan Claas: Maria gennem torne går

(Mary through thorns walks)

Trad, arr. Nigel Short: Quem pastores laudavere

Niels Gade: Barn Jesus i en krybbe lå

(Infant Jesus in a manger lay)

Jacob Meidell: Dejlig er den himmel blå

(Lovely is the sky so blue)

Niels la Cour: Hodie Christus natus est

Bára Gisladottir: NĀT

Nielsen: Mit hjerte altid vanker

(My heart always wanders)

Bach: In dulci jubilo, BWV 608

Praetorius: In dulci jubilo

Bach: In dulci jubilo, BWV 729

Bo Holten: First Snow

Trad: Dejlig er jorden

(Lovely is the earth)

Mads Høck, organ

Bára Gísladóttir, double bass

Phillip Faber, conductor

https://www.phillipfaber.dk/

18.00: Munich: Christmas Classics at the Movies with the Bavarian Radio Chorus and Munich Radio Orchestra

Favourite soundtracks from cinema classics of the Christmas season under the baton of Gavin Sutherland.

19.00: Paris - Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker from Orchestre National de France and Petr Popelka.

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, op. 71, ballet in two acts

Petr Popelka, conductor

On Christmas Eve, young Clara receives a nutcracker that turns into a prince, while the toys come to life and everyone flies off to the kingdom of candy. On this thin plot, Tchaikovsky pours treasures of melodies, up to the audacious use of the celesta in the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, which makes the salt of the second act. No doubt, Christmas is coming.

20.35: Helsinki - Christmas Dinner at the Brodsky's with violinists Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen, including music by Brahms, Grieg and Tchaikovsky.

Minna Pensola, violin

Antti Tikkanen, violin

Counted among the most influential figures in the music world of the late 19th century, the violinist Adolph Brodsky had close relations with many of the musical superstars of the age. We know, for instance, that Brahms and Tchaikovsky were only on very frosty, formal terms. At Christmas 1887, Brodsky took the considerable risk of inviting both composers to dine at the same table. Tchaikovsky was shocked when he saw Brahms, who was visiting Brodsky for a rehearsal of his piano trio. The atmosphere was charged because both composers were on the record as saying they found the other's music unpleasant. To keep the peace over Christmas dinner, Tchaikovsky nonetheless refrained from commenting upon his colleague's playing, and the atmosphere lightened further once Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina joined the assembled guests.

In this concert, familiar pieces of chamber music by Brahms, Grieg and Tchaikovsky meet new arrangements of popular Finnish Christmas carols.

21.30: Lisbon - Portuguese Sacred Music with soprano Mariana Castello-Branco and the Avres Serva ensemble.

Manuel Rodrigues Coelho: Verses on the 2nd tone, from 'Magnificat

Frei Jerónimo da Madre de Deus: In Sabatho Sancto: Lectio 8a ‘Et ideo novi testamenti

Domenico Gabrielli: Sonata No. 1

Ricercari, canone e sonate per violoncello

Frei Francisco do Carmo: Organ Verses on the 6th tone, according to the prayer of the psalm from the Royal Choir at the Monastery of Arouca

Policarpo José António da Silva: Lisam Primeyra da 5a Feira

Francisco de São Boaventura: Toccata

João José Baldi: Calendar for Christmas Eve

António da Silva Leite: Feria V in Coena Domini Lectio VI

Mariana Castello-Branco, soprano

Pedro Massarrão, cello

Nuno Oliveira, organ, director

22:30: Sofia - Cantanti DAI MONTI VERDI with madrigals, villancicos and Orthodox songs.

Italian madrigals by Franco-Flemish composers, alongside Spanish villancicos and Orthodox strochny and demestvenny part-singing.

A day of concerts from the European Broadcasting Union to celebrate Christmas.

The annual celebration of Christmas from all around Europe continues with music from

Reykjavik, Copenhagen and Munich. Presented by Hannah French.

A day-long festival of Christmas music and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union's annual Christmas music day. Choirs and ensembles come together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas. In this part, we travel to Reykjavík for a programme by Nordic Affect, then to Copenhagen and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, and then to London for Part I of Handel's Messiah orchestrated by Mozart, with the BBC Singers conducted by Sofi Jeannin. Later in the evening, concerts from Paris, Helsinki, Lisbon and Sofia.

18.00: London - Christmas concert: Part I of Handel's Messiah orchestrated by Mozart, with the BBC Singers conducted by Sofi Jeannin.

Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Part I

Sofi Jeannin, conductor

The annual celebration of Christmas from all around Europe continues with music from Reykjavik, Copenhagen and London. Presented by Hannah French.

Vienna, Copenhagen, Madrid, Tartu, Helsinki And Reykjavik20191215It's the 25th anniversary of the European Broadcasting Union's special day of Christmas music from around Europe. Part 1 features live and pre-recorded concerts from Vienna, Copenhagen, Madrid, Tartu, Helsinki and Reykjavik. Presented by Fiona Talkington.

9am - HOFBURG CHAPEL, IMPERIAL PALACE, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

A concert featuring Advent and Christmas music from Lower Austria

MATTHIAS LIENER (1991): Was soll's bedeuten - Fanfare for Advent

RICHARD STRAUSS (1864-1949): Durch Einsamkeiten, AV 124

ANTON REIDINGER (1839-1912): Es wird scho glei dumpa

ANTON HEILLER (1923-1979): Heidi pupeidi

TRAD. (Austria) arr. U.C. Harrer: Ein Kind geboren gar wundersch怀n

TRAD. (Germany): Maria durch ein Dornwald ging

TRAD. (Austria): Gegrü߀t seist, Maria, jungfr䀀uliche Zier

HINDEMITH (1895-1963): Erster Schnee

TRAD. (Austria): Du sch怀ne Morgenr怀t

TRAD. (Austria) arr. M. Schneider: G怀ttliches Kind, was soll‘s bedeuten

- Hollensteiner Jodler

EDUARD EBEL (1839-1905): Leise rieselt der Schnee

IRVING BERLIN (1888-1989) arr. G. Mancusi: White Christmas

THOINOT ARBEAU (1520-1595) arr. C. Wood: Ding Dong Merrily on High

MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) arr. J.W. Tumundo: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

JOSɀ FELICIANO (1945): Feliz Navidad

ADOLPHE ADAM (1803-1856) arr. U. Theimer: Cantique de No뀀l

Trombone Attraction

Chorus Viennensis

Michael Schneider (conductor)

10am - BISTRUP CHURCH AT BIRKER؀D, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

An English Christmas from Copenhagen

TRAD. (England) arr. D. Willcocks: The Sussex Carol

TALLIS (c.1505-1585): Gloria from 'Missa Puer natus est nobis

ANON arr. R.L. Pearsall: In dulci jubilo

HAROLD DARKE (1888-1976): In the Bleak Midwinter

TALLIS: Sanctus-Benedictus, from 'Missa Puer natus est nobis

BOB CHILCOTT (1955): The Shepherd's Carol

JOHN RUTTER (1945): What Sweeter Music

TALLIS: Agnus Dei, from 'Missa Puer natus est nobis

Danish National Vocal Ensemble

Graham Ross (conductor)

11am - TEATRO MONUMENTAL, MADRID, SPAIN

Christmas polyphony, along with carols by Antonio Soler

VICTORIA (1548-1611): O magnum mysterium

PALESTRINA (c.1525-1594): O magnum mysterium

GUERRERO (1528-1599): La tierra s'estက gozando

- Zagales, sin seso vengo

- Pastores loquebantur

PALESTRINA: Hodie Christus natus est

ANTONIO SOLER (1729-1783): A Bel退n se van corriendo

- Ya de noche y por las calles

- A Bel退n a ver al niကo

- Por caer las navidades

RTVE Chorus

Members of the RTVE Symphony Orchestra

Lorenzo Ramos (conductor)

12pm - ST PAUL'S CHURCH, TARTU, ESTONIA - LIVE

Estonian folk hymns and melodies from the earliest Baltic manuscript hymn collection

TRAD. (Estonia): R倀倀msaks saage ristirahvas [O Rejoice Greatly, All Christians]

- Mina tahan Jehovat kiita keigest südamest [Praise the Lord]

- Mo hinge mees, mis ütlen sull' [My Dearest Man, What Shall I Say to You?]

- Nüüd Jumalale austust [Now God be Praised]

- ܀ks t䀀ht l䀀ks k倀ndma taevateed [A Star Appeared in the Sky]

- ܀ks laps on neitsist sündinud [A Boy is Born]

- Nüüd ole, Jeesus, kiidetud [Praise be to You, Jesus Christ]

- Aukuningas, oh Jeesus [O Jesus, King of Glory]

- See j倀ulup䀀ev on r倀倀must suur [Hail to the Day! So Rich in Joy]

Ensemble Triskele

1.05pm - KALLIO CHURCH, HELSINKI, FINLAND - LIVE

A live broadcast from the now traditional Helsinki venue - Kallio Church

SIBELIUS: Bell tune of Kallio Church

TRAD. (Finland): Tule meille Tuomas kulta [Come blessed Thomas]

- Christmas music for jouhikko and kantele from Feodor Pratsu's repertoire

- Jouluna Jumala syntyi

TEA POLSO (20th cent.): Improvised organ chorale performed on harmonium

TRAD. (Finland): - Yx lapsi synnyi Betlehemis

- Gaudete (Piae Cantiones)

HANDEL (1685-1759): Passacaglia, from Organ Concerto in G minor, HWV 310

- 'If God be for us', 'Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion' and 'He shall feed his flock, from Messiah HWV 56

TRAD. (Finland): Kantele Waltz, from Halsua

- On lapsi syntynyt meille, from Tiernapojat [Star Boys]

- Juottomarssi [Drinking March]

- Slumrande toner [Soft Harmonies]

Anu Komsi (soprano)

Barocco Boreale

2pm - HALLGRIM'S CHURCH, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND - LIVE

A live concert titled Lights and Sounds

TRAD. (Iceland): Hကt퀀