A Medieval Christmas
Sunday, December 17, Noon
Tired of jingle bells yet? This time of year, we are surrounded by Christmas music. On this special holiday edition of Harmonia, join us for something a little different, as we explore Christmas music of another age – the medieval! We’ll hear music from the Tallis Scholars, the Boston Camerata, and more.
A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England
Sunday, December 24, 10am
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols presents your audience with an opportunity to share in a live, world-wide Christmas Eve broadcast of a service of Biblical readings, carols, and related seasonal Classical music. This special will be presented by one of the world’s foremost choirs of men and boys and performed in an acoustically and architecturally renowned venue, the 500-year-old Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England.
Christmas At the Movies
Sunday, December 24, Noon
The Christmas holiday is charged with nostalgia and hope, so a Christmas setting can effectively heighten the emotional power of any film. There have been many Christmas scenes in movies, and host David Garland unwraps some of the accompanying music for them. Holiday favorites such as It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle On 34th Street and The Bishop's Wife are included.
The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2023
Sunday, December 24, 1pm
“THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: IN CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE 2023” (One-Hour Version) is a brand-new, 59-minute musical celebration of the winter holidays – Advent, Chanukah, the Solstice, Christmas, New Year’s and Twelfth Night/Epiphany -- featuring traditional carols, hymns, villancicos, ballads, children’s game-songs, and folk dance-tunes excerpted from live Christmas Revels stage productions presented around the country.
39th Annual Messiah Sing-Along
Sunday, December 24, 2pm
From St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre.
The tradition continues as the Arcadia Chorale and soloists invite the audience to perform in the Christmas section of the famous Handel oratorio as well selections from Parts 2 and 3. This year recorded St, Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wilkes-Barre. Matthew Rupcich conducts.
Music from St. Stephen’s Special
Sunday, December 24, 7am & 4pm
This one-hour special recorded by WVIA Radio in the majestic sanctuary of St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre features selections from the 2022 Lessons & Carols service.
St Olaf Christmas Festival
Monday, December 25, 10am
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is a chance for listeners across the country and around the world to participate in one of the nation’s most treasured holiday celebrations.
Welcome Christmas
Monday, December 25, Noon
There’s no better way to welcome Christmas than Welcome Christmas!, the VocalEssence holiday concert conducted by Philip Brunelle. It’s an hour of joyful, classic holiday music from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups, singing traditional carols and new discoveries.
Christmas with Madrigalia
Monday, December 25, 1pm
This holiday season, the Rochester, NY chamber choir Madrigalia and their Artistic Director Cary Ratcliff return to public radio for Christmas with Madrigalia. Christmas with Madrigalia celebrates the excitement and joy of the holiday season with traditional carols and anthems from the Medieval era through the 21st century celebrating Winter Solstice, Chanukah, Christmas, and the New Year.
A Cool Christmas
Monday, December 25, 8pm
It's "A Cool Christmas" as we usher in the holiday with a jazz tribute. Come along for a jazz sleigh ride with music from Shirley Horn, Paul Bley, Duke Ellington, and more. Also featuring Ella Fitzgerald, Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, Eddie Higgins, and Duke Pearson.
The Big Tiny Desk Concert Holiday Special
Monday, December 25, 9pm
Celebrate the season with amazing holiday performances from The Tiny Desk Concert series including Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, Hanson, The Polyphonic Spree and more! Hosted by NPR Music frenemies Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson.
Ringing in the New Year
Sunday, December 31, Noon
Some of the best remembered songs of the 1920 to celebrate the New Year.
Wind & Rhythm – Music with Drink Pairings for the New Year
Sunday, December 31, 1pm
This week we’re going to bring in the New Year with some great music… accompanied with some suggested drink pairings, of both the spirited and non-alcoholic varieties. I don’t know if 2021 will be any better than this past year, but I think we can all get behind putting 2020 behind us. So, grab your favorite glass, and let’s celebrate with David Maslanka, John Philip Sousa, John Mackey, Frank Ticheli, Julie Giroux, David Holsinger, and Charles Mingus, all right here, at the gathering place for people who love band music, Wind & Rhythm. Happy New Year!
Toast of the Nation
Sunday, December 31, 10pm
An NPR tradition every New Year's Eve since the 1970s, Toast of the Nation is the perfect audio complement for the occasion. It's festive jazz you can party to, all night long. Hear sets from Ibrahim Maalouf, José James, Ranky Tanky and Chucho Valdés.
New Year’s Day from Vienna
Monday, January 1, Noon
The Vienna Philharmonic presents its ever popular New Year’s Day concert from the Golden Hall of Vienna’s Musikverein with Cleveland Orchestra’s Music Director Franz Welser-Möst conducting. This year there is an appearance by the Vienna Boys Choir and, first time the Vienna Girls Choir. It’s a great way to start the New Year. Hosted by WBUR’s Lisa Mullins.