Christmas Music

What would Christmas be without music, whether its pop songs, its carols old and new, or its great choral works?
Many enjoy Christmas pop music, perhaps because of its associations with happy times in previous festive seasons. Mostly it is not for me, maybe because it is bound up with the commercialisation of Christmas. When I was young, however, I could not get enough of “Rock’n Around the Christmas Tree” by the brilliant Brenda Lee. Phil Spector’s Christmas Album also made an impression on me, especially the Ronette’s rendition of “Slay Ride”. I still regard “White Christmas”, as sung by Bing Crosbie (in Holiday Inn) as the best Christmas song ever. It was released in World War 2 and resonated with GIs fighting in Asia: its sentiments must have appealed to guys facing bombs, bullets and mortars so far from home. They helped make it a hit. It was written by Irving Berlin, an immigrant to America escaping the pogroms in Russia. Apparently, he could not read or write music and composed by ear, using mainly the black notes on the piano. A hard job to transcribe his compositions.
I love all the carols, but if I had to choose a favourite it would be “In Dulci Jubilo” for its melody, rhythm and antiquity – popular over the centuries. J S Bach’s harmonisation of it is brilliant. He must have liked the tune as he also wrote a famous Chorale Prelude for organ based on it. Don’t forget Mike Oldfield’s pop version of it – a traditional dance piece. The stunning performance of it by Leg’s and Co on Top of the Pops is well worth a watch on You Tube.
At Christmas I like to hear the first part of Handel’s Messiah, including “For unto us a child is born.” J S Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is a must, which begins with a rousing chorus heralded by high-sounding trumpets and drums. “The Shepherds’ Farewell” by Berlioz, much loved by Classic FM, is a most atmospheric and moving work.
Whatever your music, I hope you will enjoy it along with the other Christmas festivities.

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