George Bizet used an old Provencal carol to open his
L’Arlesienne Suite. A British hymn writer borrowed the tune from a now-forgotten work by Felix Mendelssohn to create one of the most famous of
all Christmas songs. In this hour, we’ll explore classical works that have inspired carols, and carols that have found their way into classical works.
FEATURED RECORDINGS
| Title |
Group/Artist |
Label |
UPC |
| Mendelssohn Symphony No. 2 |
BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales |
BBC Music MM306 |
[none] |
| Mendelssohn Lieder mid und ohne Wrote [for Liebgesang] |
Kolping Chor Stuttgart |
Bauer Studios SACD9196 |
[none] |
| The Many Moods of Christmas [for “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”] |
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus |
Telarc CD-80087 |
089408008726 |
| Respighi Orchestral Works [for ”The Adoration of the Magi”] |
Philharmonia Orchestra |
Cala CACD 1007 |
66754940282 |
| Songs of Angels [for “The Three Kings’] |
Robert Shaw and Robert Shaw Chamber Singers |
Telarc CD-80377 |
0089408037726 |
| Bizet L’Arlesienne Suite |
London Festival Orchestra |
PMG CD 160 205 |
[none] |
| Evening Bells [for Liszt: Weihnachtsbau]m. |
Roland Pontinen |
BIS-CD-1164 |
7318590011645 |
| Fry: Santa Claus Symphony |
.Royal Scottish National Orchestra |
Naxos 8.559057 |
636943905722 |
| Orff: From Heaven Above [for “Patapan”] |
Deller Consort and Instrumental Ensemble |
RCA Victrola (LP) VICS-1376 |
[none] |
| O Come All Ye Faithful [for “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”] |
New York Choral Artists |
EMI CDC 7 49908 2 |
077774990820 |
| Schoenberg: Weihnachts Musik |
Arditti String Quartet |
Naïve Classics MO 782160 |
3298497821605 |
| Christmas Music [for “Une Cantate de Noel”] |
BBC Concert Orchestra & Singers |
BBC Music MM236 |
[none] |
| Jessye Norman: Christmastide [for “In the Bleak Midwinter”] |
Jessye Norman |
Philips 420 180-2 |
4988011126529 |
| Hely-Hutchinson: Carol Symphony |
Light Music Society Orchestra |
EMI Classics CDM7641312 |
077776413129 |
