Carols, Customs and Candlelight: A Celtic Christmas Celebration

The Celtic lands of Northwestern Europe have an especially rich musical heritage, and many Christmas songs and carols come from places like Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and other Celtic nations. Listen as host Andrea Blain explores music and customs that have roots in ancient winter celebrations and traditional Christmas festivals. The music features classical ensembles and soloists like Apollo’s Fire and Bryn Terfel, as well as traditional instruments like harp, fiddle and mandolin. Listen now!

Playlist

• Traditional: A Merry Christmas — Quadriga Consort

• Traditional Arr. Chris Hazell: Tua Bethlehem dre — Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone; Gwawr Edwards, soprano; Only Men Aloud; Welsh National Opera Orchestra; Tecwyn Evans, conductor

• Traditional: A Breton Carol — Nolwenn Monjarret, voice; The Chieftans

• Traditional: Noel Nouvelet — Apollo’s Fire; Jeannette Sorrell, conductor

• Traditional: The Wexford Carol — Choir of Clare College, Cambridge; John Rutter, conductor

• Traditional: The Seven Rejoices of Mary — Anonymous 4; Andrew Lawrence-King, harp

• Traditional: Duan Nollaig — Apollo’s Fire; Jeannette Sorrell, conductor

• Traditional: Manx Jezebel Carol — Aine Minogue, harp and voice

• Traditional: Can Wassail — Anonymous 4; Andrew Lawrence-King, harp

• Traditional: Sans Day Carol — St. Charles Singers; Jeffrey Hunt, conductor

• Traditional: Suo Gan — Cantus

• Traditional: My Dancing Day — Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band

• Traditional: Huron Carol — Chanticleer

• Traditional Arr. Linda Kachelmeier: We Toast the Days — The Choral Scholars of University College, Dublin; Desmond Early, conductor

• Traditional: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring — Eileen Ivers, violin

• Traditional Arr. Peter Breiner: Deck the Halls — Nicolaus Esterhazy Orchestra; Peter Brainer, conductor