Discovering Different Holiday Tunes
While classic holiday songs like Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" are a staple each December, there are countless other gems waiting to be discovered. St. Louis Public Radio reached out to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Jazz St. Louis to bring you a diverse selection of holiday tunes.St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Some of the musicians shared their musical selections:Music Director Stéphane Denève chose "Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This piece captures the dreaminess of the Christmas spirit, evoking a sense of coziness and a fairy tale under the bedcovers. It's a piece that stands out during the holiday season.
Julie Thayer, the horn player, selected "Ave Maria" by Franz Biebl. This piece reminds her of Christmas as it was performed at an SLSO holiday concert in 2016. Its beauty is truly captivating.
Robert Walker, the clarinetist, went back to "Christmas Tree" from "The Nutcracker" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Around the holidays, he finds this piece gives him a kickstart of wintry nostalgia. The recording with the Russia-based Mariinsky Theatre has a certain authenticity that makes him feel closer to the true spirit of the work. His favorite movement is the "Christmas Tree" as it is so evocative, like seeing a big fir tree in a cozy Russian parlor by the crackling Yule log.
Jennifer Nitchman, the flutist, chose "This is My Box" from "Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian Carlo Menotti. This opera tells the story of a poor family and a young shepherd boy visited by the Three Kings. As a child, "This is My Box" was her favorite moment. It showcases the magic of the holiday season.
Hank Skolnick, the associate librarian, picked "Sir Roger de Coverley" by Frank Bridge. This is his favorite holiday-related piece of classical music. Written for string quartet or orchestra, it combines a Christmas tune with an ingenious quote of "Auld Lang Syne". The title is taken from a traditional English folk song.
Jonathan Reycraft, the trombone player, selected "Troika" from "Lieutenant Kijé" (suite) by Sergei Prokofiev. It's all about those sleigh bells and the cheerful melody that invokes the feeling of winter cheer.
Jazz St. Louis
Check out Jazz St. Louis' rendition of classic songs on its holiday programming specials. Nicole Henry will return to Jazz St. Louis for this month's NextSet programming on Dec. 20 and Dec. 22. You can listen to her previous performance here: [link not provided].