The BBC Music Magazine team gets hundreds of recordings passed across our desks every month – and Christmas is no different.
Sometimes, it can be an overwhelmingly large offering, so we've rounded up a few of our personal favourites from recent years. If you click through to the next page, you'll find the best new recordings hitting your shelves this Christmas.
The best Christmas classical music albums and recordings
Be All Merry
The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin, Irish Chamber Orchestra/Desmond Earley Signum SIGCD643
The Choral Scholars of University College, Dublin recently marked their 20th anniversary, and Be All Merry is a celebration of the high standards they have reached under founding artistic director Desmond Earley. The recording mixes interesting arrangements of familiar tunes with contemporary works, including haunting Irish-language settings by Fionntán Ó Cearbhaill and Adhamhnán Mac Domhnaill.
- Best Irish folk songs
- Irish classical music: how it originated and developed and Ireland's best composers
No fewer than half the choir’s two-dozen members step out for solos, revealing the in-depth quality of Earley’s singers. The glowing tonal blend that he elicits is a constant pleasure, and there’s a real emotional connection in the performances.
Alpha & O: Music for Advent and Christmas
The Choirs of St Catharine's College, Cambridge/Edward Wickham Resonus RES10268
The O Antiphons of English composer Christopher Fox were first performed complete by the Choir of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge in March this year, and recorded a few days later. They form the centrepiece of Alpha & O, a disc which also includes music by Judith Weir, Diana Burrell and Jeremy Thurlow.
Each of Fox’s seven antiphons is preceded by the relevant Gregorian chant, setting the harmonic daring of Fox’s harmonic language in sharp juxtaposition. Some of the tight intervals test the choir, but Edward Wickham’s astute direction secures generally convincing results.
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols
Choir of Clare College, Cambridge/Graham Ross Harmonia Mundi HMM 905329
A vibrant, limpid performance of Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols (the four-part version) sits at the heart of a new album by the mixed-voice Choir of Clare College, Cambridge. Conductor Graham Ross relishes the lustiness of ‘Wolcum Yole!’ without allowing scrappiness, and ‘There is no rose’ has a wealth of alluringly contoured dynamic detail. Tanya Houghton’s harp playing is unfailingly sensitive.
A clutch of shorter pieces by Britten is also included, as are works by Ireland, Bridge and Holst. Warm blend, fresh attack and a sense of keen vitality mark all the singing, and the sound is excellent.
Chanticleer sings Christmas
Chanticleer Warner Classics 9029522888
The San Francisco-based, 12-man vocal group Chanticleer is now in its fifth decade, and Chanticleer Sings Christmas was recorded immediately after a run of 2019 seasonal concerts. The repertoire ranges widely, from plainsong through Renaissance composers such as Victoria and Hassler, to pieces commissioned by Chanticleer from Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, Steven Sametz and Rosephanye Powell.
Technically the singing is immaculate, though some of the arrangements (‘Away in a Manger’, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’) may be a little sugarcoated for some. The sound is close, too, conveying a somewhat studiobound impression.
Sacred Treasures of Christmas
Xavier Ferros (tenor), The London Oratory Schola Cantorum/Charles Cole Hyperion CDA68358
The London Oratory Schola Cantorum sings mass at the school every Saturday evening in term-time, and Sacred Treasures of Christmas is a selection of the liturgical motets it uses for the holiday season. A feast of Renaissance repertoire is featured, ranging from the ringing carillons of Sweelinck’s Hodie Christus natus est to the searching introspection of Victoria’s O magnum mysterium. The 50-strong oratory choir is made up entirely of boys, and conductor Charles Cole draws singing of vernal freshness from them, with excellent ensemble and an interpretive awareness that puts many an adult choir in the shadow. This is a warmly recommended recording.
A Tudor Christmas
Trinity Boys Choir/David Swinson Rondeau ROP8002
An octet of singers from the Trinity Boys Choir presents seasonal music from a bygone age. Necessarily staid, perhaps, but with a warm, intimate atmosphere nonetheless.
A Winter's Night
Winchester College Chapel Choir, Onyx Brass, Benja Signum Classics SIGCD646
Despite a few issues with the blend of sound in the choir, the brass adds dynamism and vibrancy to this selection of carols old and new, making it a pleasantly festive listen.
Advent Live, Vol. 2
Choir of St John's College, Cambridge/Andrew Nethsingha Signum Classics SIGCD661
The fantastic balance of anthems, hymns and organ music leaps out in this arresting, fabulously performed Advent programme from St John’s, Cambridge.
Christmas Carols
SWR Vokalensemble/Marcus Kreed SWR SWR19094CD
Exaltatio: Christmas Carol
Dagmar Pecková; Musica Bohemica; Jaroslav Krček Supraphon SU42852
Ave Rex Angeloroum
Choir of Keble College, Oxford/Matthew Martin CRD CRD3537
A distinctly darkerhued festive album without much in the way of tinsel and bells, but none the worse for that. The three carols by Keble choirmaster Matthew Martin are the highlight.
Christmas Concertos from Leipzig
Kammerchor der Christuskirche Karlsruhe, L’arpa Festante Christophorus CHR77448
Christmas Music at St Thomas’ in Leipzig
Chamber Choir Bad Homburg Christophorus CHR77449
Vox Clara (Latvian, German, Swedish and French Medieval and Christmas music)
Schola Cantorum Riga SKANI LMIC085
Advent Carols from King’s College London
The Choir of King’s College, London/Joseph Fort Delphian DCD34226
A beautifully atmospheric recording of the Advent service from King’s College, London. Don’t miss the new pieces, especially George Benjamin’s and Kerensa Briggs’s.
Christmas
The Gesualdo Six/Owain Park Hyperion CDA68299
A delightful album by an all-male a cappella group is hard to come by – all too often they’re po-faced or schmaltzy; but this is neither. An elegant blend of old and new.
In dulci jubilo
Harmonia Sacra/Peter Leech Nimbus NI 6391
All the words from your favourite carols, but unexpected music galore – thanks to interesting new settings by a varied quartet of composers. Well sung, though the sound is quite close.
Schütz: The Christmas Story & Other Works
Yale Schola Cantorum/David Hill Hyperion CDA68315
Schütz’s Italianate oratorio is one of the masterpieces of the early Baroque and is performed beautifully here. Voices and instruments are superbly balanced within the rich recorded texture.
Adventa
Joachim Badenhorst (clarinet), Heida Arnadottir (voals), Hilmar Jensson (guitar), Kristin Thora Haraldsdottir (viola), Eirikus Orri Olafsson (trumpet) Winter & Winter 910 260-2
Your bleak Christmas starts here. Based on Icelandic folklore, this musical poem is dark, brooding and often eerily atmospheric. Beautiful, yes, but ‘Jingle Bells’ it most certainly isn’t.
Make we Merry
Benenden Chapel Choir, London Metropolitan Brass Regent REGCD547
The merriment here is rather sober, but not without its charms. There’s some welcome sparkle in Bednall’s brass writing and Chilcott’s entry has a wistfully sweet innocence.
O Holy Night
London Choral Sinfonia/Michael Waldron Orchid Classics ORC 100110
A substantial Christmas banquet from Michael Waldron and a rich-toned LCS, bringing together carols both traditional and modern. Warming.
Now May We Singen: Music for Advent and Christmas
Ben Bloor (organ), Choir of Westminster School/Timothy Garrard Signum Classics SIGCD595
As school choirs go, Westminster School’s is rather fine, its dynamic range and blend top notch. An ambitious yet attractive programme.
Nowell synge we bothe al and som: A Feast of Christmas Music in Medieval England
Gothic Voices Linn CKD591
Gothic Voices will shortly mark its 40th anniversary, and celebrates with Nowell synge we bothe al and som, a new programme of medieval songs and motets for the Christmas season. The material is a mix of plainchant and polyphony, arranged for various combinations of the ensemble’s four members.
A Spanish Nativity
Stile Antico Harmonia Mundi HMM902312
Alonso Lobo’s Missa Beata Dei genitrix Maria is the anchor work in A Spanish Nativity, a new disc from the 12-voice British ensemble Stile Antico. Their ability to rivet attention is immediately obvious in an introspective and raptly controlled account of the Missa’s opening Kyrie, while the poignant Agnus Dei highlights the group’s lithe expressivity and immaculate tuning.
The Waiting Sky: Music for Advent and Christmas
Sansara Resonus Classics RES10250
Sansara released an acclaimed debut album two years ago, and its new disc The Waiting Sky adopts a similar formula of mixing old and new music. On the contemporary side, the palpitating rhythms of Judith Weir’s ‘Ave Regina caelorum’ draws a featherlight nimbleness from the choir’s 16 voices.
The Secret Life of Carols: 800 Years of Christmas Music
The Telling First Hand FHR094
How did Christmas music sound in the medieval world? We don’t know for sure, but The Telling is a group specialising in that period, and in The Secret Life of Carols they delve back centuries for answers. With two harpists sharing the accompaniments the aesthetic is sparse, suggesting an intimate domestic setting. The overall effect is aurally cleansing, and the recorded sound is outstanding.
Nuit de Noël
Sofi Jennin, Maîtrise de Radio France et al Alpha ALPHA571
There’s a delicious tang and freshness to the singing and the period-instrument accompaniments. A second disc has random ‘greatest hits’ of Baroque music, including Bach’s Magnificat, Handel’s Dixit Dominus, and Corelli’s Christmas Concerto.
Christmas at St George’s Windsor
The Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle/James Vivian; Luke Bond (organ) Hyperion CDA68281
Where recordings are concerned, the Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle has often been overshadowed by London’s cathedral choirs and the leading college choirs of Oxford and Cambridge. But two recent royal weddings have put St George’s firmly in the spotlight, and this new disc shows its all-male choir is a force to be reckoned with. Conductor James Vivian deserves major credit for his preparation of the singers, whose dedication and artistry make this a deeply satisfying recital.
Errollyn Wallen: Peace on Earth
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge King’s College KGS0050
Errollyn Wallen’s choral music – performed here with clarity, precision and care – is truly glorious. It’s a constant source of surprise and joy.
You can find the lyrics to many of your favourite Christmas carols here
- Five of the best ancient Christmas carols
- Five of the best modern Christmas carols
- The 25 greatest Christmas carols of all time
Click through for our round-up of the best new Christmas classical recordings, released this year.
The best new Christmas classical recordings released in 2021
An Elizabethan Christmas
Fretwork, Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano) Signum Classics SIGCD680
Viol consort Fretwork and mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston explore the more sombre, reflective Christmases that our Elizabethan ancestors would have experienced.
Christmas Carols with The King's Singers
Signum Classics SIGCD683
You had me at ‘The King’s Singers’. What’s not to love? It’s a typically varied programme which reaches across the decades, performed with pitch-perfect vivacity and no small amount of joy. Very glad tidings.
Review by Michael Beek.
In the Bleak Midwinter - Christmas Carols from King's
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge/Daniel Hyde, Matthew Martin (organ) King's College KGS0060
Release date: 5 November 2021
Vaughan Williams: An Oxford Christmas
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital/William Vann, Joshua Ryan (organ) Albion ALBCD050
This beautiful disc features Vaughan Williams' arrangements of the Oxford Book of Carols. 'Variety in the method of singing is even more important than with hymns, and the verses should never be sung straight through all in the same way,' the liner notes tell us. That is why conductor William Vann has curated a programme of carols featuring a judicious mix of solo, unaccompanied and accompanied passages.
Carol of the Bells (Leontovich, Rodney Bennett, Eric Whitacre, Bob Chilcott et al)
The Sixteen/Harry Christophers, Alexandra Kidgell, Edward McMullan, Mark Dobell, Robert Macdonald, Ben Davies, Rob Macdonald, Katy Hill, Tim Jones, Charlotte Mobbs, George Pooley Coro COR16188
WenamedTheSixteen
The Knights Before Christmas (Carols/Trad Songs)
The Knights (chamber orchestra) Bright Shiny Things BSTC-0159
Release date: 29 October 2021
A Belfast Christmas
Belfast Cathedral Choir/Matthew Owens Resonus RES10292
Release date: 29 October 2021
Christmas Bells - Organ Music from Belfast Cathedral
Resonus RES10293
Winter Tales (Works by Brian Eno, Vikingur Olafsson, Peter Gregson, Hania Rani et al)
DG 486 1504
Release date: 5 November 2021
A Medieval Christmas – Hodie Christus Natus Est
The Boston Camerata/Anne Azéma HMM905339
Release date: 29 October 2021
100 Christmas Meditation (5CD)
Wiener Sängerknaben Capriccio C7371
Release date: 8 October 2021
Click through for our round-up of the best Christmas classical recordings of all time.
The best Christmas classical recordings of all time
Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV248
Christine Schäfer, Bernarda Fink, Werner Güra, Gerald Finley, Christian Gerhaher; Arnold Schoenberg Choir; Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 8869711225-2
You can never have too much Bach at Christmas, so let’s start with the work the exhausted cantor cobbled together especially for the festival out of some secular cantatas (BWV 213-5). Naturally, Bach being Bach, no compromises spoiled his inspired six-part act of recycling: from the radiant Sinfonia that sets the scene for the nativity, the memorable seasonal chorales, and the exquisite lullaby 'Schlafe, mein Liebster', this is a work of heavenly coherence. Harnoncourt’s latest reading has spirit, warmth and grandeur, and moving contributions from mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink and soprano Christine Schäfer.
King’s College Choir: Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (2008)
King’s College Choir, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury EMI 686 0822
Few occasions are as evocative of Christmas as the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge. The miracle is the annual refreshment of a tradition with new commissions. This 2008 service included Judith Weir’s magical 'Illuminare, Jerusalem' (1985) with its buoyant rhythms and spooky organ bass, the aptly titled 'What Sweeter Music' by John Rutter (1987) and the premiere of Dominic Muldowney's pungent, arresting Mary. These sit alongside the famous 'Once in Royal' and some exquisitely-performed favourites, including Howells's 'A Spotless Rose', Tavener’s 'The Lamb', and 'In Dulci Jubilo'.
John Rutter: Music for Christmas
Polyphony / City of London Sinfonia / Stephen Layton Hyperion CDA 67245
Few modern composers evoke the magic and mystery of the Christmas season as well as John Rutter. And no wonder - the composer himself has noted that as a student, the carol service was the 'highlight of the year'. This collection of Rutter's seasonal compositions is beautifully recorded by Stephen Layton, who once again directs Polyphony and the City of London Sinfonia following a magnificent release of Rutter's Gloria and other sacred music (CDA67259).
A Deep but Dazzling Darkness
Apollo5 VCM Records
As winter bites, vocal ensemble Apollo 5 invites you to ‘coorie doon’ (Scots for 'nestle' or 'snuggle') with them and enjoy music of comfort and joy. Gathering together some of the best contemporary choral writing for the festive season, A Deep but Dazzling Darkness conjures up the barren beauty of leaf-stripped trees, the wonder of first snowfall, the magic of stars studding an ink-dark sky and many more captivating wintry images in sound.
Britten: Ceremony of Carols
Westminster Cathedral Choir/David Hill Hyperion CDA 66220
Though originally written for a female chorus, the child Britten was never so vividly in evidence as in this string of festive pearls. The music cries out to be sung by the vulnerable, bright, almost translucent sound of boy trebles, from the icy 'In Freezing Night' to the dazzling canonic 'This little babe'. Framed by a plainchant Hodie Christus natus est, this processional work gives a real feeling of moving within a church, heightened by the haunting resonance of medieval modalism in the music. Hyperion’s recording captures boyish vigour haloed in the awesome acoustic of Westminster Cathedral.
Vaughan Williams: Hodie; Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Guildford Choral Society/Hilary Davan Wetton Naxos 8.570439
A very different Hodie, this time by Vaughan Williams. Beside the taut architecture and distilled art of Britten, it can feel a little rambling and indulgent, but his recreation of a Christmas service, with the lessons here sung by a girl's choir, is great festive fun. This new recording presents the work with intimacy and warmth. In the much-loved Fantasia on Christmas Carols for baritone (here Stephen Gadd), chorus and orchestra, the composer delved into England’s rich carol heritage, beginning with the mournful ‘This is the truth sent from above‘ and including ‘On Christmas night all Christians sing’ and the ‘Gloucestershire Wassail’.
Poulenc: Christmas Motets
Polyphony/Stephen Layton Hyperion CDA 67623
If audience participation muddies the join-in carols in the King’s disc, here’s something cool, poised and honed to perfection. The breathtakingly precise Polyphony under Stephen Layton sing my favourite performance of these exquisite motets. Poulenc gives us the eery depth in ‘O magnum mysterium’, the inimitable delicacy of ‘Videntes stellam’ and breaks into peals of robust joy with ‘Hodie christus nadie est’. There’s nothing quite like this sequence in all Christmas music – the innocence of pure driven snow mixed with arch Parisian style.
A Star in the East
This nicely eclectic mix of festive favourites features lutenist Ronn McFarlane and Carolyn Surrick on viola da gamba. The repertoire is a well-chosen mix of reimagined traditional Christmas favourites, sitting beside brand new works composed by the duo. The resulting programme is a nice tapestry of music that ranges from 15th-century Europe to 21st-century America.
