Classical music has always been the most festive for me and instantly puts me in a jolly mood. Maybe it's being so involved with the choir at Christmas time when I was in primary school?
We used to have a special hotel event where we were invited to sing in a grand hall filled with biscuits, wreaths, dark ornate furniture, huge fireplaces and twinkling lights in front of groups of elderly people. I remember it being one of the most exciting aspects of Christmas for me!
From when we were sang to when we were little, to now, when we are the ones singing to others and passing our traditions once again down the line, it is a celebration of warmth, of log fires, of peace and goodwill, or remembrance and yet also one of nature and appreciation, filled with music. Here I have made a little compilation of my five favourite, dreamiest, most festive soundtracks - a little peek as to what is filling our flat this Christmas.
Orchard House, Little Women Soundtrack, Thomas Newman - This piece is so jolly, yet moving, really capturing that sense of hominess at Christmastime. For me, it heavily refers back to olden times and I feel as if I'm moving among the bustling, snowy streets with horses and carts loaded full of produce and coal for the winter, which is quite heart wrenching at the same time because those times are long gone. We remember them as we celebrate and create our own Christmastime, each and every year.
Pas De Deux, The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky - Again, an instrumental piece rather than one to be sung, this piece is so beautiful, reflective and I love the gentle highs and lows of the music. As the piece builds, it takes us on a journey; although quite mournful, the combination of all of the instruments together sounds especially festive to me.
In the Christmas Tree, The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky - this particular piece of music invites me in to the sitting room of Clara's house from The Nutcracker story, wreathed with decoration: elegant displays of candles, baubles, and trees filled with edible decorations. Snow whips past outside, fast in slush substance and then slowly in big, fat flakes. There are the ribboned gifts under the tree, under which the Nutcracker himself lies, bandaged with handkerchief.
In the Christmas Tree, The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky - this particular piece of music invites me in to the sitting room of Clara's house from The Nutcracker story, wreathed with decoration: elegant displays of candles, baubles, and trees filled with edible decorations. Snow whips past outside, fast in slush substance and then slowly in big, fat flakes. There are the ribboned gifts under the tree, under which the Nutcracker himself lies, bandaged with handkerchief.
Scene and Waltz of the Snowflakes, The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky - In this next piece we are with Clara as she is tumbling in to another world, the Land of Snow, and the uncertainty she feels, thrown in to unfamiliar surroundings. There is a sense of urgency as events are happening quickly and we struggle to keep up. There is a great sense of peace and joy from 1.49 as the surroundings are indeed beautiful and we are caught in a flurry of snowflakes!
Walking in the Air, The Snowman, Howard Blake - Ahh such memories! Quite possibly the most magical soundtrack from my childhood at Christmastime, it always conjures up the story of The Snowman for me; that and the smell of log fires at my Grandma's house, being warm, snug and fed, away from the dark wilderness outside.
Many jazzies were eaten for the purpose of this post. Whether you have it playing on a winter jog or are shouting it from the rooftops *me*, what do you like to listen to at Christmas time?
Walking in the Air, The Snowman, Howard Blake - Ahh such memories! Quite possibly the most magical soundtrack from my childhood at Christmastime, it always conjures up the story of The Snowman for me; that and the smell of log fires at my Grandma's house, being warm, snug and fed, away from the dark wilderness outside.
I recently watched The Nutcracker for the first time and I can completely see why these feature on your playlist. So many beautiful pieces of music!
ReplyDelete♥ Fran - frannymac.com xx
Hi Fran! Ahh it's my favourite soundtrack at Christmastime, Tchaikovsky is definitely one of my favourite artists! I love a good waltz too :D ♡
DeleteI'll give them a try!
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Hehe thanks Catarina! :D ♡
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Aw thank you! ♡
DeleteReally interesting post...thx for sharing! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Beauty! ♡
DeleteThis was a lovely post! I absolutely love Little Women and the Nutcracker. I'm not a fan of christmas carols, I find them a bit annoying, but I love the old ones, as well as classical music. Here are my favourite songs for feeling festive. Two aren't actual Christmas music but they feel like it. Great post!
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Well, I suppose the Narnia one is sort of Christmas based!
DeleteHi Rosie! Haha I'm the same, I've heard all the Christmas songs they play in shops soooo much, they get so overused which is why I think it's refreshing to hear a different kind of festive music :D I wish the shops just played soundtracks instead! wow thank you, I will go check them out! (especially if one is a Narnia soundtrack, oh yes!) Thank you!! ♡
DeleteSuch a great post! I will definitely give them a try!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas lovely :)
https://katiphotographyblog.wordpress.com/
Thanks so much Kati, that is so kind! Merry Christmas to you too :D ♡
DeleteI love classical music too, and the Nutcracker is one of my favourite ballets! I love pretty much every piece of music by Tchaikovsky (it also reminds me of the Barbie and the Nutcracker that was made years and years ago and that I was used to watch all the time haha). During Christmas time I mostly listen to Michael Bublé and to lots of different versions of classic Christmas songs! It just gets you in the best of moods I think :D
ReplyDeleteJulia x
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Aw same! Haha Barbie and the Nutcracker was one of my favourite films and actually introduced me to this wonderful music I think, which has to be a good thing xD It's more or less how I first learned the story haha! Aw that's great, I love to listen to piano covers of popular songs too, it gives them a whole new classical twist :D thank you Julia! ♡
DeleteGreat, thanks for the inspiration babe!!
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Thanks so much Merel! :D ♡
DeleteHaha never hear of some of the sound track before, shall go and youtube it now. x
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Hi Birdie! I've included the links in my post to make it easier :D I hope you like them! ♡
DeleteLots of Tchaikovsky here I see!
ReplyDeleteA lot of these I haven't heard of though, but I wouldn't mind listening to them during a performance or the like, you know?
Amy;
Little Moon Elephant
Huhuhu you caught me! I'm such a big Tchaikovsky fan, especially at Christmas, I can never resist a good waltz xD oh same, it is the season for performances and pantos :D ♡
DeleteAmazing, I love it! Happy holidays dear!
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Thanks so much Mary! You too, I will come visiting soon :D ♡
DeleteI love classical music at Christmas! I have to ashamedly admit that during the festive period any street cred goes out the window and All I Want For Christmas by MK can be heard blaring from my house at any given time.
ReplyDeleteAmy - Four Cats Plus Us <3
Haha that's great! xD My partner is easily bored by classical so we always end up at jazz/Michael Buble/MK somehow, at least we have a variety lol! ♡
DeleteI've been looking for Christmas song recommendations everywhere so this post is perfect! Can't wait to look up all the songs they sound wonderful~ By the way your cookies look the cutest <3
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She Will Be
Sylvia, hi! aw I'm glad it has come in handy, I hope you like them :D thanks so much, you are welcome to share my jazzies anytime!! ♡
DeleteGreat post. x
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