Click here to enjoy our 2022 CSO Festive Favourites on our Spotify, CSOsounds

1. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Michael Buble

Selected by Thomas Eves, Principal Trumpet

“Can’t go wrong with a bit of Michael Bublé to put you in a festive mood!”

Also selected by Arna Morton, Second Principal Violin

“It’s not Christmas for me without the smooth vibes of this Bublé classic enjoyed first thing on December 25 with a cuppa in bed! A bit of a basic choice, but I can’t deny those nostalgic feels when I hear the twinkling opening chords.”

2. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy, Bing Crosby & David Bowie

Selected by Mark La Roche, Principal Timpani

“There is so much to love about this unlikely collaboration between the 30-year-old David Bowie, and the 73-year-old Bing Crosby. Bowie veers off to sing Peace on Earth while Crosby steps back to carry the onomatopoeic pa-rum-pum-pum-pum riff. There’s a beautiful authenticity to their performance - despite being filmed for TV (Bing Crosby’s 1977 Merrie Olde Christmas). Crosby passed away a month later. Interesting Fact: Little Drummer Boy was first recorded by the Trapp family in 1951.”

3. Must Be Santa, Kurt Vile

Selected by Annabella Zilber, Principal Double Bass

“I’ve chosen this unconventional Christmas track because I’m a fan of both Kurt Vile and Santa. I enjoy Kurt Vile’s music for its deceptive complexity: a relaxed overall impression gives way to interesting lyrics, timbres and harmonies. I hope you enjoy this slightly humorous contribution!”

4. Oratoirio de Noël Op. 12: Prélude & Duo, Camille Saint-Saëns

Selected by Helen Webby, Principal Harp

“Camille Saint-Saën’s Christmas Oratorio, of which my favourite movements are the opening Prélude, and No 5 Duo. I used to play this when I studied in Germany, and it was a popular choice for choirs to perform at Christmas.”

5. Carol of the Bells, John Williams

Selected by Galyna Zelinska, Principal Cello

“A nice one for the young ones in the family.”

6. El Año Viejo, Crescencio Salcedo, Tony Camargo

Selected by Pablo Ruiz Henao, Principal Bass Trombone

“El Año Viejo (trans: ‘The Old Year’). Every year, during the last week of December, you will hear this tune literally everywhere, taxis, hospitals, shops, restaurants, your car, etc... this is a song that has a rhythm and lyrics that penetrate subtly thought, body and soul. It is a melody that causes joy, but, at the same time, it also causes us sadness and melancholy. It is a melody that makes you want to move or dance, regardless of if your year was a good or a bad one. But you will always think and be grateful for the good things the old year might have given you.”

7. Sleigh Ride, Leroy Anderson

Selected by David McGregor, Pricipal Clarinet

“It’s one of my favourites that we often play at CSO’s Festive Christmas concerts - it’s such a bop and great fun to play! There’s nothing like sleigh bells, a whip, and a trumpet horse whinny to get you into a festive mood!”

8. O Holy Night, Neil Diamond

Selected by Nigel Seaton, Principal Tuba

“This is just a fantastical lyrical carol.”

9. Fairytale of New York, The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl

Selected by Sarah McCracken, Assistant Concertmaster

“Because it reminds me of some very wonderful friends! One Christmas in London, we ‘borrowed’ a dancing bear from our dining hall, had a party, and played this song on repeat. After boogying for many hours, we returned the bear before dawn, complete with a new outfit, and some happy memories.”

10. Groove of the Sugar Plum Fairy, The Classical Jazz Quartet

Selected by Hannah Darroch, Principal Flute

“This whole album is worth adding to the Christmas rotate - Kenny Barron and Ron Carter are amazing musicians, and they take classics and re-work them into clever new works of art with a jazz twist. My other Christmas faves include Joni Mitchell’s beautiful song River and Ella Fitzgerald’s album Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas for blasting in the kitchen while making festive treats.”

11. O Holy Night, Céline Dion

Selected by Emma Eden, Principal Horn

“Céline is my absolute hero. I saw her live once and cried the whole time.”

12. Sheperds Pipe Carol, John Rutter & The Cambridge Singers

Selected by Selena Orwin, Principal Bassoon

“For me, Handel’s Messiah heralds Christmas and time for a rest over the summer (the last 9 bars give me chills every year!), but I chose this track because I just love Rutter’s beautiful orchestration and this one in particular has adorable woodwind parts. Even the bassoon gets some lovely lines to play!”

13. Why Do the Nations, George Frideric Handel

Selected by Jennifer Johnson, Principal Oboe

“We play Messiah every year around Christmas time, so I really associate this great work with end of year celebrations and Christmas. Why Do the Nations is a wonderful baritone solo which is so upbeat, there are also no oboes in it, and every year I sit there with a big grin on my face as it is played around me. Always a treat!”

14. Silent Night, Holy Night, Franz Xaver Gruber

Selected by Karl Margevka, Principal Trombone

“Simply because it is great, warm, and a relaxing melody!”

Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season! From Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.