Christmas Radio & TV highlights
A selection of this year’s Christmas highlights, from Arctic walks to new festive choral works
This year’s instalment of the St John’s Advent carol service features the premiere of Hark the Glad Sound, a new work by Judith Bingham for soprano saxophone, choir and organ. It will be performed alongside a selection of seasonal readings, prayers and music.
Radio 3: Choral Evensong; 1 Dec, 3pm
2 Tchaikovsky Magic
There are few works we associate more with Christmas than Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra brings us the ballet’s magnificent suite, paired with Mozart’s dark and stormy Piano Concerto No. 24. Radio 3 in Concert;
4 Dec, 7.30pm
3 EBU Christmas Music Day
The European Broadcasting Union takes us on its annual festive tour of Europe’s rich Christmas traditions. The day begins in Vienna’s Hofburg Chapel with a selection of traditional Austrian songs, moving through 12 other European countries before ending the day in London with the BBC Singers.
Radio 3: 15 Dec, 9am
4 Bob Chilcott’s Christmas Oratorio
The music of British choral composer and ex-king’s Singer Bob Chilcott is often to be found in Christmas programmes.
His latest work, the Christmas Oratorio, was recorded earlier this year at Gloucester Cathedral and features verses from the Gospels interspersed with poetry by Christina Rossetti and Robert Herrick.
Radio 3 in Concert;
18 Dec, 7.30pm
5 Christmas Light Music
Step back into the 1940s for an evening of festive sizzlers from the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the BBC Singers, who are joined by jazz singer Clare Teal for an assortment of toe-tapping favourites.
Radio 3 in Concert;
19 Dec, 7.30pm
6 Breakfast Carol Competition
Now in its sixth year, Radio 3’s Breakfast Carol Competition has invited amateur composers to write a new carol, set to a new poem by Imtiaz Dharker which celebrates the joy of a newborn child. The six finalists will have their carols performed by the BBC Singers live on the Radio 3’s Breakfast programme for the public to vote on, with the winning carol broadcast throughout Christmas Day. Radio 3: Breakfast;
20 Dec, 6.30am
7 In Tune Christmas Special
Following last year’s Christmas celebrations live from the BBC Radio Theatre in London’s Broadcasting House, presenter Sean Rafferty returns with guests for a festive selection of music and readings in front of a live audience. Radio 3: In Tune; 20 Dec, 5pm
8 BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year
BBC Radio 2’s annual hunt for the finest treble talent culminates in the final,
broadcast on 22 December. In the station’s four Good Morning Sunday programmes before the final (1, 8, 15 and 22 December), you’ll be able to hear performances from some of the competitors involved.
9 A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
This year’s service from King’s College, Cambridge will be the 102nd in the choir’s history – and its first under new director of music Daniel Hyde. A new carol by Philip Moore, former York Minster organist, will feature, as will works by Elizabeth
Poston, Elizabeth Maconchy and arrangements of traditional carols by former director of music David Willcocks.
Radio 4: Carol’s from King’s; 24 Dec, 3pm; Radio 3; 25 Dec, 2pm
10 Arctic Walk
Following his walks through Germany in recent years, writer Horatio Clare returns for another festive edition of Slow Radio. This time, he’s taking us to Greenland – one of the most remote regions on the planet – to walk the Arctic Circle Trail. Clare will discuss the culture and history of this fascinating landscape.
Radio 3: Slow Radio; 24-26 Dec
11 Mimi and the Mountain Dragon
An animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s story Mimi and the Mountain Dragon (see our feature on p60) will receive its premiere this Christmas. Set to a score by Rachel Portman, the atmospheric music will be performed by the BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé Choir.
BBC One; 25 Dec
12 Playing in the Dark
Best-selling English author Neil Gaiman (American Gods, Coraline) joins forces with the BBC Symphony Orchestra to read from his dystopian novels, with a suitably chilling musical accompaniment.
Radio 3 in Concert:
29 Dec, 7.30pm