Holiday Music

Composer-commentator Rob Kapilow examines what makes Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" one of the best known — and best loved — pieces in all of music. He says the exuberance is powered by a few deceptively simple techniques.

Thomas performs stand-up comedy in her spare time, and sometimes between songs. But her new album, A Very Rosie Christmas, is often thoughtful — even reverent. Her music is gentle, sincere and just right for those who wish the holidays were a little less noisy.

Ever since Jose Feliciano wrote and recorded "Feliz Navidad" in 1970, it has been a Christmas mainstay; nearly 40 years later, it remains one of the top 25 most-played Christmas songs around the world. Music expert Bill Adler weighs in on what makes a Christmas song successful.

One of the biggest traditional bands in Ireland, Dervish took its act to Lissadell House in County Sligo — a favorite spot of W.B. Yeats — to make a special Christmas recording. Piper Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains and vocalist Roisin O'Reilly guest star.

With so many classic Christmas carols to choose from, creating brand new ones can be daunting, but English conductor-composer John Rutter has been at it for nearly 50 years. He shares his tips on what makes a good carol.

The Oslo-based trio of vocalists introduces a Norwegian Christmas tune, as well as a few traditions from their homeland, in NPR's Studio 4A. The group's latest recording has just been nominated for a Grammy Award.

It may be the longest night of the year, but the saxophonist and world-music ambassador has celebrated it every year for more than a quarter century by playing a concert. Hear Winter's annual theater, dance and music special.

Based in Philadelphia, country songwriter turned socially conscious folksinger John Flynn recently joined Arlo Guthrie and Willie Nelson on tour to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. An award-winning children's recording artist, he's heard frequently on WXPN's Kids Corner, and as a singer at Philadelphia Phillies games.

Renee Fleming, Mimi Fox, Blossom Dearie and Suzanna McCorkle join Piano Jazz host Marian McPartland to celebrate the season with new holiday recordings. McPartland also reprises her improvised score to the classic O. Henry story, The Gift of the Magi.

Singers and musicians from the Baltics to Baltimore, recorded in NPR's Studio 4A, perform songs that ring out into the cold air and celebrate Christmas from far and wide. Hear them all, from the shiny trumpets of the Pittsburgh Symphony Brass, to carols and choirs steeped in European tradition.

It's an instrument that sounds like Halloween — a ghostly whine from another dimension. But it doesn't take long to hear the familiar melodies of Christmas: "The First Noel," "Silent Night," even "Frosty the Snowman." The music comes from an album called The Singing Saw at Christmastime.

Pour yourself some eggnog, throw on the shawl, and cozy up to the computer for our annual mix of holiday music, featuring fresh takes on old classics and a few new surprises. On this year's edition, we've got the dulcet tones of Winston... a pug, singing "Up On The Housetop." Electro-pop mashup genius The Real Tuesday Weld re-imagines a classic from Count Baise. Also on the program: A singing saw does "Frosty The Snowman," Christmas wishes from John Waters and Stephen Colbert, The Old 97's, and more.

NPR presents an annual holiday tradition — with a Latin twist this year. Pianists Arturo O'Farrill, Eliane Elias, Rebeca Mauleon, Angel Echevarria and Ellis Marsalis visit the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for jazz improvisations on holiday classics.

In New Orleans, December brings only faux snow, so Papa Noel packs his presents on a pirogue pulled by alligators. Feux de Joie bonfires are lit along the Mississippi River to light his way to the bayous. Papa might not have a stereo on board, but if he does, you might hear a few of these Cajun carols around the Crescent City area.

Download our version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," then record your own. Send it in, and we may use it for our national caroling party.

NPR and WNYC offer an encore presentation of the acclaimed Collegiate Chorale and soloists, recorded live in concert, performing one of the most beloved works of Johann Sebastian Bach.

With the holiday season comes the holly and mistletoe, as well as a new batch of improvisations on holiday classics. WBGO's Gary Walker suggests a few well-aged jazz pairings for eggnog and yule logs.

From the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, WHYY and NPR present Handel's holiday masterpiece performed by the "Fabulous Philadelphians" — one of the world's greatest orchestras, joined by the nationally renowned Philadelphia Singers Chorale. British choral master Richard Hickox conducts.

'Piano Jazz' swings in the holiday season. Host Marian McPartland and her guests from seasons past, present and future share their favorite memories, as well as unique holiday-themed musical performances. Surprises abound.

It's time to gather 'round the warm glow of your computer and get cozy with some holiday fare from All Songs Considered. On this edition we travel over the snow-covered hill and dale with Swedish electronica duo The Knife. We've got a sneak preview of the upcoming Magnetic Fields album 'Distortion,' gorgeous choral harmonies from Trio Mediaeval and more.

Tired of hearing the same old Christmas tunes? The American Composers Forum sponsors an annual Christmas carol contest. Hear this year's winners.

The week of Thanksgiving, NPR Music producer Stephen Thompson completed a daunting task: He listened to nothing but new holiday CDs for an entire 18-hour drive. The trip yielded prizes and punishments, and even a minor Christmas miracle.

Three legends of jazz piano share the stage with younger stars in the 18th edition of an annual NPR holiday tradition, recorded live at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.