Christmas Isn’t Over People!
It can be difficult to maintain the Christmas mood…in San Francisco there’s no snow, temps are mild and like everywhere else in the USA, Christmas seems to stop the day after. The radio music stopped at midnight, some trees, already taken down, lie sadly abandoned at the curb and the after Christmas sales scream from every corner.
We are people who leave our tree up until the Epiphany (January 6) and are dispirited by the abrupt ending of Christmas on December 26th. So I have my little collection of Christmas CD’s to keep the Yuletide spirits going.
I own CD’s of typical Christmas music, you know Bing, Nutcracker and such. But at night, while reading, I prefer early music — Renaissance and Medieval. While I’m not especially religious, I also enjoy what is considered music of the sacred choral genre.
These are my three favorites, all English (natch). If you’re tired of the same old Christmas music, make yourself a hot drink of choice, grab a book and relax to some very different Christmas music.
Song of Songs, by Stile Antico While not exactly Christmas music, this early music voice-only ensemble from the UK is astounding. The term ‘stile antico’, literally means ‘old style’. It was coined during the seventeenth century to describe the style of Renaissance church composition and choral singing. It is also called polyphonic (many-voiced) music. I find it soothing and lovely. Take a listen at their website HERE Click on the music player button upper right.
Christmas Music from Medieval and Renaissance Europe, by The Sixteen: This collection ranges from the 14th to the 16th Century and will transport you far away from the trite music of today’s modern Christmas (Taylor Swift — really?). This choral group — The Sixteen (named such because the group consists of four treble, four alto, four tenor and four bass choralists) provides beautiful harmonies. The Coventry Carol will give you goosebumps. See more about them HERE
Christmas Carols from Kings College: Kings College, Cambridge (founded in 1441 by King Henry VI !!) is known for its Christmas Eve service, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast every year in the UK by the BBC. The service includes carols and readings from the Bible. The opening carol is always ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, and there is always a new, specially commissioned carol. I watched it once, but it does go on. This CD is just the carols sung by the world famous choir. Here’s a video of a 2011 concert in the beautiful candle lit chapel.
There you have it — my favorite music and a way to carry on Christmas till you’re ready to welcome the New Year.
To all my thousandsreaders, I’ll be back in the New Year with plenty of new books to share. Merry Christmas – ’tis the season and it’s still here.
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Hello Deborah, Just found your blog via Savidge Reads blog and this post caught me eye. Just wanted to commiserate with you regarding this subject . I am just the same as you describe yourself here re: Christmas or Yule ~ whatever one chooses to call this unique and magical (or should be) time of the year. I would not dream of taking down my winter greenery nor dismantle my tree before Jan 6th~ the 12 Twelve Days of Old Christmas are alive and well in our house . I often most enjoy the period after Dec 25th until the 6th of Jan as a time when there is no more frantic rushing and preparation but simply a quiet time in which to listen to my medieval, and Renaissance music or British traditional carols by one of the cathedral choirs~ curled up with a hot drink , a good book or working on a project I could not find time for earlier in the year. A time to dream and wander in one’s head ~ watch favorite old films and contemplate ~ love the winter sunsets and candle-lit nights ~ You are one of the few people I have come across who enjoys similar music as well as continues to keep Christmas till Jan 6th. I noticed in the N. E part of the U.S. people are far more likely to keep up their little lights outside through the darkest months~ they may take down the tree, but love that these little beacons of cheer and welcome stay alight. What a waste and so sad to me how the sickness of consumerism has taken over people’s lives and they have lost or forgotten how to savor the small , the meaningful and beauties in life ~ to celebrate the season and all it’s loveliness and magic , whether you are a Christian or not. It is so rich with myth and meaning for everyone. Now, Christmas is just a time to buy and get a bunch of stuff and then toss out the tree with the torn wrapping paper and empty boxes the next day and hit the sales again to get more stuff you don’t need. Thank you for posting this and now have subscribed to your blog having discovered a kindred spirit in this and books! Happy Yuletide and cheers!
What a beautifully written comment. This is my favorite week as well.
Happy you’re subscribing to my new blog and thanks for the lovely comment.
Thank you Deborah, Looking forward to reading your future posts now that I am subscribed. I just read Savidge Reads list of his favorite books this year~ some inspiring ones I think and will try locating some now for winter reading. Cheers and happy reading and a Happy New Year to you.
Merry Christmas to you and your sweet husband. Thanks for all your lovely posts. Can’t wait to see you and looking forward to all your blog musings in 2015!
Happy New Year to my fellow bibliophile and her book reading family.