/ Modified may 1, 2010 2:24 a.m.

Classical Holiday Programs 2008

Special holiday programs to air on KUAT-FM

Christmas Music Horn
KUAT-FM will broadcast special programs for the holidays.

Sunday, December 21st

6:00 p.m. - The Christmas Revels: Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2008
The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2008" is an all-new compilation of country dance tunes, carols, songs and motets excerpted from the nine live Revels celebrations performed across the country in December 2007. Host Elaine Kennedy introduces listeners to the program's sacred and secular folk songs and dances and composed works, all of which are rooted in traditional European and American observances of Christmas, New Year's, the Feast of Fools, Twelfth Night and the Winter Solstice, and some of which date back to pre-Christian times. This multicultural Winter Solstice sampler features Appalachian, Scandinavian, English, Irish, Eastern European, Balkan and Caucasian vocal, choral and instrumental music from the Middle Ages through the 20th century.

Wednesday, December 24th

3:00 p.m. - Christmas with the Philadelphia Singers 2008
An annual favorite, "Christmas with the Philadelphia Singers" is an hour-long concert of traditional and contemporary holiday music performed by the renowned choral group and hosted by Ed Cunningham. This year, the chorus presents new twists on recognizable favorites in Stephen Chatman's "Carols of the Nativity," and renews the tradition of the Burt Family Carols with several Alfred Burt selections. Listeners also enjoy masterworks by Arvo Part, John Harbison and Abbie Betinis.

4:00 p.m. - St. Olaf Christmas Special
A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. Tickets to the event, which takes place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, are always gone months in advance. The festival—now in its 134th year—includes hymns, carols, choral works, and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians who are members of five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra. The program is hosted by Alison Young.

6:00 p.m. - Christmas with Madrigalia
On a summer night in 1975, a small group of singing friends in Rochester, N.Y., decided to form a madrigal group. The original members of Madrigalia performed their first Christmas concert at the University of Rochester the following year, and in the 33 years that have followed, this annual holiday celebration has become a beloved tradition in Western New York. In "Christmas With Madrigalia," host Jeanne Fisher showcases the ensemble performing with a second chamber group, Quartsemble. The music includes Archangelo Corelli's "Christmas Concerto" and Marc-Antoine Charpentier's "Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve," along with works by Almon Bock, Guillaume Costeley and carol settings by American composers. Conducted by Roger Wilhelm, the one-hour concert was recorded live at Saint Anne Church in Rochester.

7:00 p.m. - Exploring Music with Bill McLaughlin
All this week, the renowned conductor and host focuses on Bach's Christmas Oratorio.

8:00 p.m. - Holiday Card to Tucson
The Christmas concert recorded on December 7, 2008, at Saint Augustine Cathedral in Tucson. The concert, sponsored by The University of Arizona College of Fine arts School of Music, features The Arizona Choir, University Community Chorus, University of Arizona Symphonic Choir, Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus and Tucson Girls Chorus. The program includes traditional carols along with works by works by Handel, Praetorius, Debussy, Mendelssohn and Libby Larsen. KUAT-FM's James Reel hosts.

Thursday, December 25th

7:00 a.m. - Conspirare: Christmas at the Carillon
America’s reigning mixed-voice choir in a surprising classical- and popular-music collage for the season. The Austin, TX choir of 38 voices is America’s best-kept musical secret—but not for long as their powerful performances gain them new audiences worldwide. This special is a fresh take on Christmas, blending sacred and secular songs, as well as centuries-old classics and pop standards. Hosted by Steve Staruch.

8:00 a.m. - A Choral Christmas Card
A coast-to-coast sampler of the country’s best choirs in carols for the season. You'll visit choral towns across the U.S. including Kansas City, Austin, Santa Fe, Boston and elsewhere and hear songs from hundreds of years past and beautiful selections of our own time. What better way to greet Christmas than with voices raised in song? The program is hosted by Valerie Kahler.

9:00 a.m. - Welcome Christmas
A perennial broadcast favorite featuring the Minneapolis-based ensemble, VocalEsssence. An all-American program spotlighting 20th-century African-American composers Undine Smith Moore and R. Nathaniel Dett; and 21st-century masters Morton Lauridsen and Stephen Paulus. Recognized internationally as one of America's premier choral arts organizations, VocalEssence is led by the visionary Philip Brunelle. Hosted by John Birge.

10:00 a.m. - A Chanticleer Christmas
America’s finest male chorus celebrates the mystery and wonder of Christmas. Their 2008 Christmas special is an elegant blend of traditional carols, medieval sacred works, and jazzy spirituals. This San Francisco based chorus is recognized worldwide for its brilliant technique and musicality. This year’s program will be recorded live on December 10th in San Francisco. Hosted by Brian Newhouse.

11:00 a.m. - Echoes of Christmas
Moving selections of choral classics celebrating Christmas. The Dale Warland Singers provided magical performances to listeners across the country for over 30 years and were acclaimed as America’s premiere choir. Their signature holiday concert—beloved by public radio listeners nationwide—was the annual Echoes of Christmas program. Drawing upon the archive of their live performances, Dale Warland and host Brian Newhouse create a very special Christmas musical treat.

12:00 noon - Holiday Card to Tucson
A rebroadcast of the program that first aired on December 24th. See listing above.

2:00 p.m. - Leroy Anderson Christmas
This one hour program features classic Christmas arrangements and original music by Leroy Anderson. It 1s hosted by conductor Leonard Slatkin and the composer’s son Kurt Anderson, and features recorded performances of Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Music with Leonard Slatkin conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra, and Leroy Anderson conducting his “Pops” Concert Orchestra. Listeners will hear Leroy Anderson talking about how he wrote some of his famous Christmas music and what Christmas means to him.

3:00 p.m. - The Rose Ensemble: An Early American Christmas
Gorgeous Shaker Tunes, Kentucky Harmonies, and Acadian dances done by one of America’s premiere early-music ensembles. Since it began in 1996, The Rose Ensemble has surprised and delighted audiences with performances of music from centuries past. Their 2008 Christmas program highlights the treasures of Appalachia. Hosted by Gillian Martin.

4:00 p.m. - A Harpist's Christmas with Yolanda Kondonassis
America’s premiere harpist, Yolanda Kondonassis, celebrates the season with treasures of Christmas harp music. Yolanda has custom-created this program, spotlighting her heavenly instrument alone and with Joshua Smith, flute and Cynthia Phelps, viola—two of America’s top professionals. Hosted by Fred Child.

5:00 p.m. - Music of the Baroque Christmas Special
Brass and Choral Music for the Holidays concert, recorded in 2007.

7:00 p.m. - Exploring Music with Bill McLaughlin
All this week, the renowned conductor and host focuses on Bach's Christmas Oratorio.

Thursday, January 1st

9:00 a.m. - New Year's Day from Vienna
Join us on New Year's Day 2009, for a sparkling celebration, live from the Golden Hall at the Musikverein in Vienna. The Vienna Philharmonic presents its annual New Year’s Day from Vienna, including your favorite waltzes and polkas, and so much more, all conducted by Argentinean-Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim.

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