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Read on to discover our 15 Christmas music essentials for classical music lovers….<\/strong><\/p> Did you know that last year marked 50 years since Slade released \u2018Merry Christmas Everybody\u2019, instantly carving their own little place in our collective festive psyches? Half a century on, the song that singer Noddy Holder has referred to as his \u2018pension scheme\u2019 remains a mainstay on the radio and in shops, pubs and parties from the beginning of December onwards\u2013 so much so that some say Christmas wouldn\u2019t be Christmas if it wasn\u2019t there.<\/p> However, much as we at BBC Music <\/em>enjoy joining Noddy and crew in a raucous sing-along about hanging stockings on the wall and fairies keeping Santa sober for a day, we crave more musical satisfaction at Christmas than just that. A lot more. So, what ear-tickling treats could we as classical music lovers not imagine the festive season without? Here are our 15 Christmas music essentials\u2026<\/p> Though the Advent season runs for around four weeks up to Christmas Eve, Advent music\u2019s moment in the limelight tends to get squeezed into the space of just a few days. A shame, as the themes of darkness to light and the coming of Christ and have inspired some gems over the centuries \u2013 from the likes of Byrd<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s Ecce virgo concipiet<\/em> (1605) to James MacMillan<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s contemporary Advent Antiphon<\/em> \u2013 while big-boned hymns such as O come, O come, Emmanuel<\/a><\/strong> <\/em>and Lo! He comes with clouds descending<\/a><\/strong><\/em> stir the soul like few others. So, set the season in motion by heading to an Advent carol service near you.<\/p> Performances of the Messiah<\/a><\/strong> <\/em>pop up all over the place over the festive period, from local choral societies to the world\u2019s great orchestras and choirs. Don\u2019t be the pedant who points out that only a third-or-so of Handel<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s oratorio<\/a><\/strong> actually has anything to do with Christmas; do join in the enjoyment of \u2018For unto us a child is born<\/a><\/strong>\u2019, the Hallelujah chorus and all.<\/p> At some point, you\u2019ll probably need to sit down and wrap presents. By its very nature, this is a solitary occupation, so you can indulge yourself by listening to your own favourite Christmas playlist as you go. Some like to create a sense of ritual by playing exactly the same music every year which, depending on how many times you find yourself repeating it, has the added bonus of telling you whether you are getting slower or quicker at wrapping, or have bought too many or too few presents and so on.<\/p> Christmas trees, midnight battles with the Mouse King, waltzing flowers and a reindeer-drawn sleigh \u2013 what\u2019s not to like? Tchaikovsky<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s ballet The Nutcracker<\/a><\/strong> <\/em>continues to work its charms even on those of us who have racked up more decades than we like to admit. Best of all would be to immerse oneself in the magic of the Land of Sweets in a live show, though tickets, if you can get hold of them at all, rarely come ceap. So, an evening in front of a performance on screen or simply listening to the music it probably is, then. It\u2019s still wonderful.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>
1. O come now…<\/h2>
2. Get a Handel on it<\/h2>
3. A bit of wrap music<\/h2>
More Christmas music essentials…<\/h3>
4. So sweet of you<\/h2>