Classical 104.9's Holiday Programming Schedule is here!
December 21
8-9 p.m. - The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2019
THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: IN CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE 2019” is an all-new, 60-minute musical celebration of the winter holidays -- Christmas, the Solstice, St. Lucia’s Day, The Feast of St. Stephen, New Year’s and Twelfth Night/Epiphany -- featuring traditional carols, wassails, hymns, villancicos, children’s game-songs, and folk dance-tunes excerpted from live Christmas Revels stage productions presented around the country.
December 23
9-10 p.m. - A Chanticleer Christmas
This unique, one-hour program of holiday music is presented live in concert by Chanticleer. Hear why this superb 12-man ensemble is known as "an orchestra of voices," as they perform holiday classics and new favorites, with choral commentary by host Brian Newhouse.
10-11 p.m. - A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico
Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award-winning choir from London, pays a visit to St. Paul's Church on Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the Christmas season by the most acclaimed composers of the renaissance. Hear the group's luminous blend of voices sing the intricately woven music of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd. Hosted by Cathy Fuller of WGBH.
11 p.m.-Midnight - ¡Vamos a Belén! Christmas with The Rose Ensemble
The acclaimed Rose Ensemble returns with a free one-hour special featuring festive and evocative music from early Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, and beyond. Colonial Latin America was a melting pot of ethnic diversity, when newcomers wrestled with local traditions, and cultural conflict was often reconciled through musical collaboration. Dances from the streets of Mother Spain mingle with African rhythms and indigenous languages, while celebration turns glorious in the pageantry of the Franciscan missions of California and New Mexico. The Rose Ensemble is joined by special guests, Piffaro, The Renaissance Band.
December 24
5-6 p.m. - A (New) Winter Special: Seasonal Music from James Arey
Classical 104.9 FM host James Arey presents a special hour of music that celebrates the season of Winter. You'll hear a new take on a Vivaldi favorite; some recent American music on the topic of skiing; and, a holiday song from the cast of Frozen.
6-8 p.m. - Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Performs Handel’s Messiah
9-10 p.m. - A Handel and Haydn Society Christmas
Celebrate the season with this hour-long special featuring Christmas choral music from America’s oldest continuously performing ensemble, Boston’s Handel & Haydn Society. Founded in 1815, the Society is celebrating their bicentennial season, including their 400th performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” Join Host Cale Wiggins for this program featuring music from the 15th century to the late 20th ; a Christmas for all times.
10-11 p.m. - Madrigalia 2019
The Rochester, NY chamber choir Madrigalia, and their Artistic Director Cary Ratcliff return to public radio for Christmas with Madrigalia 2019, a holiday concert that celebrates the excitement and joy of the holiday season. Once again this year, the Rochester Bach Children’s Chorus joins Madrigalia for traditional carols arranged by Cary Ratcliff.
11 p.m.-Midnight - La Nochebuena: A Spanish Renaissance Christmas with the Rose Ensemble
The acclaimed Rose Ensemble is back again for another one hour special for the holiday season. This year, the Twin Cities early music ensemble presents a program that is both rhythmic and regal; Spanish song and dance to celebrate Christmas Eve, La Nochebena. In La Nochebuena, The Rose Ensemble explores the great variety of music that filled the royal court of Ferdinand and Isabella, and flooded the chapels and streets of Renaissance Spain.
December 25
9-11 a.m. - St. Olaf Christmas Special
This service in song and word has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. The festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, as well as orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians in five choirs, and the St. Olaf Orchestra. SymphonyCast host Alison Young shares the sights and sounds of this choral favorite.
11 a.m.-12 p.m. - Christmas with the Morehouse & Spelman Glee Clubs
One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges -- two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation -- get together to present a spine-tingling concert program. This year's program features the best works of the last several years. It's a joyous celebration of the schools' tradition of singing excellence, with their trademark mixture of spirituals and carols. Korva Coleman hosts.
12-1 p.m. - Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
The world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir continues its tradition of great artistry this holiday season, with touching arrangements of familiar carols, and lesser-known melodies that are fast becoming the new classics. Julie Amacher hosts this annual favorite.
1-6 p.m. - Classical Holiday Music