Christmas is just around the corner, and whether you’ve been listening to Christmas music all year-round or holding out until December, the time has finally come to embrace those holiday favorites. Listening to Christmas music always brings a nostalgic joy to my heart, but even I can admit that those same old songs grow a bit stale after the 1,000th time hearing them. So, to save yourself from becoming a Scrooge this year, check out this list of 5 holiday pieces to bring fresh life to your Christmas music playlist.
1. “Glow” by Eric Whitacre
Filled with gorgeous melodies and elegant harmonies, “Glow” is an exquisite choral portrait of a sunrise on a winter morning. Delicate pianissimos imitate the hush of a world covered in fresh snow, but in true Whitacre fashion, the piece quickly builds with rich divisi parts, emotion-filled suspensions, and soaring descants that imitate the world coming awake with the brilliant dawning of the sun. “Glow” is an utter delight to listen to that is sure to fill you with a sense of peace, tranquility, and awe this Christmas season.
Listen to "Glow" here!
2. “Suite from Home Alone” by John Williams
With the film’s 30th anniversary happening this year, we would be remiss not to include the score from the beloved Christmas classic Home Alone. Ranging from mischievous to heartfelt and comical to poignant, John Williams’ score for Home Alone beautifully captures the emotions and escapades of spunky Kevin McAlister and his Christmas misadventures. Some highlights of the score include the breathless piece “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!” and the thoughtful choral number “Somewhere in My Memory.”
Listen to “Suite from Home Alone” here!
3. “O Magnum Mysterium” Arr. Morton Lauridsen
The text for this breathtaking piece originated back as early as the 10th century as part of the matins service that ushered in Christmas day. Translated as “O great mystery,” this piece describes the wonder of the animals in the stable as they gaze upon the newborn Christ. Although it has been set to music by various composers throughout the years, one of the finest settings of the text was arranged by American composer Morten Lauridsen in 1994. With its rich harmonies and cascading melodic lines, the piece has a wonderfully ethereal timbre that perfectly embodies the awe and mystery of Christ’s birth.
Listen to “O Magnum Mysterium” here!
4. “Suite from The Polar Express” by Alan Silvestri
When the beloved children’s book was made into a film in 2004, filmmakers turned to the renowned film composer Alan Silvestri (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump) to make this Christmas classic come to life—and he more than succeeded at the task. From beginning to end, Silvestri paints the emotional essence of the film from excitement, hope, fear, and courage through breathless rhythmic passages, sweeping melodic lines, and thoughtful reprises that fill the piece with a delightful sense of childlike innocence and wonder.
Listen to “Suite from The Polar Express” here!
5. Elf the Musical by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” said Buddy in the beloved 2003 film Elf, and ever since then, we have been enamored of the quirky tale of this man-elf finding his way to New York City. In 2010, Broadway took Buddy’s message to heart and released a musical adaptation of the film with music just as charming and quirky as the original. Featuring an array of new musical numbers like “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” and “A Christmas Song,” Elf the Musical is a fun Christmas musical that is sure to get you singing loud for all to hear.
Listen to Elf the Musical here!
As you curl up next to the cozy fireplace with hot cocoa in hand, I hope that you enjoy listening to these great holiday tunes, and don’t forget to celebrate the gift of music this holiday season by signing up for lessons today!
- Jordan Koehlinger, Music Instructor at Vibe Music Academy.
