Oh Christmas Three
This issue we pick the classical music highlights of the festive season. Full listings return next month
BBC Radio 3 intends to get into the Christmas party spirit with a festive In Tune, broadcast live from the Radio Theatre on 21 December. Presenter Sean Rafferty will be packing in plenty of yuletide-themed music and readings, with guests including the Septura brass septet and Temple Church Choir.
LANGSTON HUGHES
A special Radio 3 Sunday Feature explores the work of Langston Hughes, one of the key black US literary figures of the 20th century. His poetic works draw on the rhythms of jazz and, alongside his stories, give an alternative viewpoint of Christmas themes.
Radio 3; Sunday Feature; 4 Dec; 6.45pm
ANIMAL SYMPHONY
This may be one for your cat or dog, as Sky Arts looks at the effect that music has on animals. A specially composed work is being performed by the CBSO to an audience consisting of… all creatures great and small. Sky Arts 2; 6 Dec; 9pm
A CEREMONY OF CAROLS
In the Barbican’s Milton Court, a threefold choral celebration is taking place, with festive works by Britten – including
A Ceremony of Carols with harpist Tanya Houghton – and more recent festive fare by Bob Chilcott and John Rutter. Chilcott conducts a premiere with the BBC Singers. Radio 3; In Concert; 13 Dec; 7.30pm
PROKOFIEV WEEK
One of the most evocative winter pieces is the bell-filled ‘Sleigh Ride’ from Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé suite. It’s therefore fitting that he gets a Composer of the Week slot this month. Prokofiev saw his role as an uplifting one, to ‘help the people live a better, finer life’. Radio 3; Composer of the Week;
19-23 Dec; 7.30pm
TCHAIKOVSKY’S THE NUTCRACKER
Tchaikovsky’s enchanting 1892 ballet about the wooden Christmas gift that transforms into a prince also helped to raise the profile of the celesta. The BBC Philharmonic brings plenty of seasonal magic to Hanley’s Victoria Hall with the ballet’s highlights. Juanjo Mena conducts. Radio 3 In Concert; 14 Dec; 7.30pm
IN TUNE AT CHRISTMAS
A highpoint of Radio 3’s Christmas festivities is In Tune, broadcast live from the BBC’S 1932 Radio Theatre. Sean Rafferty welcomes the Temple Church Choir and Septura brass ensemble.
Radio 3; In Tune; 21 Dec; 4.30pm
CAROL COMPETITION
Could there be a famous carol in the making? The 2016 Breakfast competition entrants have composed a work using the medieval text ‘Alleluia! A new work is come on hand!’ and the winning carol will be revealed on 22 December.
Radio 3; Breakfast; 22 Dec; time tbc
CAROLS FROM KING’S
For many, Christmas begins with the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge. This year’s service includes the premiere of a carol by Michael Berkeley, This ender night, alongside festive favourites by Mathias, Tavener and Howells. BBC Two; Carol’s from King’s; 24 Dec; tbc
CHRISTMAS EUCHARIST
As Christmas Day festivities get underway, it’s the turn of Bristol Cathedral to host BBC One’s live Eucharist service at 10am. Tune in for congregational carols from the city’s two-towered landmark.
BBC One; Christmas Day; 25 Dec; 10am
MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS
The Early Music Show explores our tradition of door-to-door carol singing, tracing its roots back to the Anglo-saxon custom of ‘wassailing’ – translated as ‘be in good health’. Radio 3; Early Music Late; 25 Dec; 10.30pm
CHORAL EVENSONG
To celebrate its 90th anniversary, Radio 3’s Choral Evensong is digging into the BBC vaults to revisit its finest moments. It also keeps us up to date, as the Rodolfus Choir leads a service at St Gabriel’s Church, Pimlico. Radio 3; Choral Evensong; 28 Dec; 3.30pm
LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS
Recapture this year’s Last Night, as Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, with guests including tenor Juan Diego Flórez. Radio 3; Prom 75 (rpt); 31 Dec; 9pm