- AUSTIN:
Our Gift to You — KMFA 2012 Holiday Specials
Chanukah in Story and Song (December 9th, 9 – 10pm) — This hour-long Chanukah favorite returns: A celebration by The Western Wind performing Ladino songs of Spanish Jews, Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe, and modern Israeli tunes. Chanukah in 2012 will start on Sunday, the 9th of December and will continue for 8 days until Sunday, the 16th of December. Host: Leonard Nimoy
Candles Burning Brightly (December 13th, 7– 8pm) — More than two thousand years ago, in the days of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the religious life of the Jews was brought almost to a halt by the ancient Greeks. But rather than give in to the pressure to assimilate, a band of Jews who practiced their faith in secret returned to their holy city and rededicated the Temple. Their courageous act and its aftermath form the focus of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Hosts Mindy Ratner and Bill Morelock offer a program which explores the customs and music of the holiday.Messiah, from Ensemble VIII (December 14th, 7pm) — From Austin’s very own Ensemble VIII, this is the Christmas portion of their 2011 performance of Handel’s Messiah. Conductor James Morrow with Mercury Baroque Orchestra of Houston and 13 outstanding vocalists sharing chorus and solo duties. Hosted by Sara Hessel. (repeats on December 25th, see below)
Advent Voices (December 16th, 9pm) — Advent is a time of quiet contemplation and waiting. It's waiting for darkness to become light and for hopes to be realized. Throughout the centuries Advent has been observed musically in sacred and secular ways. Join host Lynne Warfel for an hour of the most beautiful vocal music inspired by and written for Advent.
Slavic Wonders (December 17th, 7 – 8pm ) — The Rose Ensemble is back with a one-hour holiday special. Slavic Wonders is a stunning celebration of the season featuring some truly brilliant gems from the libraries and monasteries of Krakow, Prague, and Moscow. The Rose Ensemble of Minnesota has put together a program of dazzling, passionate music for Christmastime in the great variety and range they are known for. Hear everything from soaring soprano lines, to the signature Slavic sound of rumbling basses; Slavic Wonders is an engaging and curious mixture of chant, carols, and glorious polyphony from ancient places, where mysterious chants, joyful hymns, and magnificent choral works mingle with tales of folk heroes. Sublime, enchanting, and earthy hear the Christmas story as retold through the ages in Russia, Poland, Bohemia, and Ukraine.A Chanticleer Christmas (December 18th, 7pm) — A Chanticleer Christmas is American Public Media's one-hour celebration of the season as told through the glorious voices of Chanticleer, the 12-voice San Francisco-based men's choir. The program spans the globe and the centuries, from England in the 1300s to new arrangements of classic and contemporary carols. Host: Brian Newhouse. (repeats on December 25th, see below)
Christmas with Stile Antico (December 19th, 7pm) — Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award-winning choir from London, pays a visit to St. Paul's Church on Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the Christmas season by the most acclaimed composers of the renaissance. Hear the group's luminous blend of voices sing the intricately woven music of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd. Hosted by Cathy Fuller. (repeats on December 25th, see below)
Echoes of Christmas (December 20th, 7pm) — 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 premier 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. Host: Brian Newhouse. (repeats on December 25th, see below)Welcome Christmas (December 21st, 7pm) — Long a favorite from their appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, welcome Christmas with the VocalEssence holiday concert from American Public Media. New for 2012: This year's program puts the focus on old French carols, alongside two world premieres in the annual VocalEssence/American Composers Forum Christmas carol contest. The new carols call for the intriguing combination of men's chorus with English horn. It's an hour of joyful holiday music featuring the Minneapolis-based chorus, VocalEssence, and hosted for the fourteenth year by John Birge. (repeats on December 25th, see below)
Messiah, from the Handel & Haydn Society (December 22nd, 8pm) — No holiday season is complete without Handel's stunning oratorio, and one of Boston's most cherished holiday traditions: Music Director Harry Christophers leads the Handel & Haydn Society Period Instrument Orchestra, Chorus, and internationally acclaimed soloists in Handel's dramatic masterwork, in the acoustic splendor of Boston's Symphony Hall. Canadian superstars soprano Karina Gauvin and countertenor Daniel Taylor, British tenor extraordinaire James Gilchrist, and Boston's own premier baritone Sumner Thompson offer this season's unique rendition of this Boston tradition. Complete performance.
Roll Credits: A Hollywood Holiday (December 23rd, 9pm) — During the holidays we unpack, dust off and polish up countless traditions. Some are surrounded by festive food, others involve preparing and decorating for family, friends and homecomings. Many of these special times include classic movies that take us back to wonderful Christmases past. Host Lynne Warfel shares music that made great films from “A Christmas Carol” to “Polar Express” come alive with the warmth and sparkle of the season.
Music of the Baroque Christmas (December 24th, 7am) — Host Peter Van De Graff guides listeners through Christmas music diverse in nationality and musical styles with Music of the Baroque's Brass and Choral Holiday Concert.Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (December 24th, 9am) — Hosted by Michael Barone, this is a live stereo-music and spoken-word broadcast from the chapel of King's College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King's College Choir performs the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of Biblical readings and music. Musical artists are The Choir of historic King's College Chapel in Cambridge, England, led by Stephen Cleobury. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College was first held on Christmas Eve 1918. The service was first broadcast in 1928 and, with the exception of 1930, has been broadcast annually, even during the Second World War. In the early 1930's the BBC began broadcasting the service on the World Service. It is estimated that there are millions of listeners worldwide. (repeats on December 25th, see below)
Traditional Lessons and Carols (December 24th, 7pm) — The Dallas Christmas Lessons & Carols has emerged as one of the most distinctive holiday events in Texas. Taking its British forebear as a starting point, it has made the rhythm of the familiar service its own in both song and text. Scott Dettra, formerly at the Washington National Cathedral, is Music Director, has now assured an even wider scope of the music program. The service takes the form of the traditional lessons and carols following the themes of Creation, the fall from Paradise, Prophecy of the Messiah, the Annunciation to Mary, the Birth and Adoration of the shepherds and the vision of the New creation. The readings and prayers are complemented with much loved traditional hymns, but with new arrangements by Scott Dettra.
Christmas with Stile Antico (December 25th, 7 – 8pm) — Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award-winning choir from London, pays a visit to St. Paul's Church on Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the Christmas season by the most acclaimed composers of the renaissance. Hear the group's luminous blend of voices sing the intricately woven music of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd. Hosted by Cathy Fuller.
St. Olaf (December 25th, 8am) — 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, Minnesota, are always sold out months in advance. The festival 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. Host: Alison Young.
A Chanticleer Christmas (December 25th, 12 noon) — A Chanticleer Christmas is American Public Media's one-hour celebration of the season as told through the glorious voices of Chanticleer, the 12-voice San Francisco-based men's choir. The program spans the globe and the centuries, from England in the 1300s to new arrangements of classic and contemporary carols. Host: Brian Newhouse.
A Classically Austin Christmas (December 25th, 4 – 5pm) — The tradition continues…selections and reflections from some of Austin’s local classical music luminaries: musicians, conductors, singers and more! Host Dianne Donovan.Messiah, from Ensemble VIII (December 25th, 5pm) — From Austin’s very own Ensemble VIII, this is the Christmas portion of their 2011 performance of Handel’s Messiah. Conductor James Morrow with Mercury Baroque Orchestra of Houston and 13 outstanding vocalists sharing chorus and solo duties. Hosted by Sara Hessel.
Echoes of Christmas (December 25th, 6pm) — 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 premier 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. Host: Brian Newhouse.
Welcome Christmas (December 25th, 7pm) — Long a favorite from their appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, welcome Christmas with the VocalEssence holiday concert from American Public Media. New for 2012: This year's program puts the focus on old French carols, alongside two world premieres in the annual VocalEssence/American Composers Forum Christmas carol contest. The new carols call for the intriguing combination of men's chorus with English horn. It's an hour of joyful holiday music featuring the Minneapolis-based chorus, VocalEssence, and hosted for the fourteenth year by John Birge.
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (December 25th, 8pm) — Hosted by Michael Barone, this is a live stereo-music and spoken-word broadcast from the chapel of King's College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King's College Choir performs the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of Biblical readings and music. Musical artists are The Choir of historic King's College Chapel in Cambridge, England, led by Stephen Cleobury. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College was first held on Christmas Eve 1918. The service was first broadcast in 1928 and, with the exception of 1930, has been broadcast annually, even during the Second World War. Iin the early 1930's the BBC began broadcasting the service on the World Service. It is estimated that there are millions of listeners worldwide.Downton Abbey: At Home with John Lunn (December 30th, 9pm) — Celebrated film composer John Lunn, the creator of the theme music for the award-winning Downton Abbey television series, welcomes WFMT listeners into his home as he talks with host Jon Tolansky, about his life and career, composing for Downton Abbey, the Edwardian era, and some of his favourite music from that period.
New Year’s Day LIVE from Vienna (January 1st, 10am – 12 noon) — The Vienna Philharmonic presents its ever popular annual New Year's Day concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. You'll hear your favorite waltzes, polkas and more, a festive way to start off the New Year. Presented by NPR Music and WGBH, Boston.
