The melody used in “Joy to the World” is actually from Handel’s Messiah, but the lyrics were written by Watts to celebrate the second coming of Jesus Christ, rather than his birth. The song has since become associated with Christmas and is commonly sung during the holiday season.
Composed in the 19th century, Raff’s “Around the Christmas Tree” is a delightful piano piece that has stood the test of time. The music conjures images of a cozy family…
“The Shepherds at the Manger” is a beautiful and evocative piece of classical music composed by the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt. This composition is part of his larger work known…
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” is a well-known Christmas carol with lyrics written by Phillips Brooks and music composed by Lewis Redner. The song was first performed in 1868 and…
“Cathedral Windows” Op. 106, composed in 1914, showcases Karg-Elert’s innovative approach to harmonies, textures, and registrations. “Cathedral Windows” is a set of six pieces, each named after a specific stained…
In the vast tapestry of Christmas carols, few compositions resonate as beautifully and timelessly as Herbert Hughes’ “Carol of Jesus Child.” This enchanting piece, originally written for voice and piano,…
“The First Noel” is a traditional Christmas carol that dates back to the 18th century, possibly earlier. The exact origin of the song is unclear, but it is believed to…
“In Polish Style” is one of the delightful pieces from Franz Liszt’s “Weihnachtsbaum” (The Christmas Tree) collection. This collection, composed in 1874, consists of 12 short piano pieces, each inspired…
The lyrics of “Gaudete” are written in Latin and are inspired by verses from the Bible, particularly Philippians 4:4-7. The carol expresses joy and celebration at the coming of Christ…
“In Dulci Jubilo” arranged for the Organ. The original text is attributed to Heinrich Seuse, a German mystic, and poet who lived in the 14th century. The song celebrates the…
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a Christmas carol with lyrics written by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem was initially composed on December 25, 1863,…
Johannes Brahms’s Eleven Chorale Preludes, Op. 122, stand as one of the final contributions to the composer’s extensive body of work. Composed in the last years of his life (1896),…
Bach’s Weihnachtsoratorium, or Christmas Oratorio, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time, showcasing the genius of Johann Sebastian Bach. Originally composed for the Christmas season, the oratorio…
The hymn “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” is a classic Christmas carol with a rich history. It is commonly sung to the tune “Winchester Old,” and the lyrics are attributed…
Good King Wenceslas is a popular Christmas carol that tells the story of the 10th-century Duke of Bohemia, Wenceslas I, who was later canonized as a saint. The carol’s lyrics…
“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is a traditional English Christmas carol. It is one of the oldest Christmas carols, dating back to the 16th century or possibly even earlier. The…
