[Christmas] Classical music to listen to at Christmas: recommended sacred Christmas songs

Concerto grosso No. 8 “Christmas”Arcangelo Corelli

Corelli: Concerto Grosso No. 8 in G minor, “Christmas Concerto”

Among Corelli’s set of twelve concerti grossi, this is the most famous piece.

Corelli himself wrote that it was “composed for the night of Christ’s Nativity,” and it was written for the Midnight Mass at Christmas.

The harpsichord and strings resonate with a sound that is both beautiful and gentle, evoking an image of celebrating Christ’s birth within a church.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

HATSUMI

Report a problem

Ave MariaGiulio Caccini

Giulio Caccini – Ave Maria

It’s a popular classical piece that’s often heard in Japan as well.

Ave Maria, literally meaning “Hello, Mary,” is a prayer to the Virgin Mary.

It is often sung by female vocalists with an angelic, beautifully resonant voice.

That exquisite atmosphere is a perfect match for the solemn ambiance of a Christmas church service! Why not listen to this piece and spend Christmas with a gentle heart, like the Virgin Mary?

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Stella Natalis – I. CelebroKarl Jenkins

Stella Natalis: I. Celebro

Karl Jenkins’s “Stella Natalis” is perfect for the holy night of Christmas.

Released in December 2009, this album is a grand work consisting of 12 movements that celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

The opening movement is truly filled with festive joy, lifting the listener’s heart.

With lyrics interweaving Latin and English, it expresses a universal blessing that transcends cultures and religions around the world.

This work is recommended for those who wish to pray quietly or spend peaceful time with family.

Why not enjoy a heartwarming moment, feeling the solemn atmosphere of a European Christmas Eve?

sleddingWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Leonard Bernstein – Mozart Schlittenfahrt (Sleigh Ride) 1967

Mozart created numerous masterpieces, and Sleigh Ride is one that’s especially perfect for Christmas.

While Mozart often wrote complex melodies, this piece is built around a simple, pop-like tune.

Even back then, works with a Christmas theme frequently featured the sound of bells.

Since bells are still commonly used in Christmas songs today, it might be interesting to listen while appreciating that continuity in history.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Ave MariaFranz Schubert

Schubert – Ave Maria

Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” counted among the world’s three great Ave Marias alongside those by Bach/Gounod and Caccini, uses lyrics taken from The Lady of the Lake, an epic poem by the Scottish poet Walter Scott.

In the story of The Lady of the Lake, Ellen Douglas—the “Lady of the Lake,” hunted by the king—whispers a prayer seeking the Virgin Mary’s aid.

That prayer sung by Ellen is the very song of this piece.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

HATSUMI

Report a problem

Christmas hymnAdolphe-Charles Adam

Adan: O Holy Night [Naxos Classics Curation #Special Edition: Christmas]

It’s a Christmas carol also known in Japanese as “Sayaka ni Hoshi wa Kirameki.” The song originated in 19th-century France, and since it’s a hymn, it’s almost always sung when you go to church during the Christmas season.

Besides singing, it’s also performed by orchestras and at small organ concerts.

Its gently soothing, beautiful melody is truly comforting.

Christmas OratorioJ.S.Bach

Bach – Christmas Oratorio [1-3] Harnoncourt

This is a collection of cantatas composed by Bach with German lyrics, consisting of six parts and a total of 64 movements, intended to be performed in church during the Christmas season.

Following the liturgical calendar, one part is performed each day over six Sundays and feast days between December 25 (Christmas) and January 6 (Epiphany).

Today, in concerts and similar settings, it has become common to perform all six parts at once with intermissions.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

HATSUMI

Report a problem