Jess Gillam dons her Christmas jumper to throw a This Classical Life Christmas Party. She's joined by The King's Singers, a fairy light bedecked studio, several packets of party rings and plenty of good tidings as they all share their favourite Christmas music and talk about their festive traditions.
From Nick's love of the 'Daniel Craig of the choral classics' Bach's Christmas Oratorio, to Pat's championing of the backing group in an Ella Fitzgerald Christmas tune. Jess, of course, manages to find a David Bowie track even at Christmas and Johnny shares a Beach Boys hit that encapsulates the Christmases of touring musicians.
Playlist:
ELLA FITZGERALD: Santa Claus is Coming to Town MORTEN LAURIDSEN: O Magnum mysterium [Chamber Choir of Europe/ Nicol Matt] YAZOO: Only You PROKOFIEV: Lietenant Kijé Suite, op.60 – Troika [Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Claudio Abbado] WIZZARD: I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday TRAD IRISH: The Wexford Carol [Susannah Vango (sop) Ex Cathedra/Jeffrey Skidmore] DAVID BOWIE/BING CROSBY Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy JS BACH: "Herr, wenn die stolzen feinde schnauben" from Christmas Oratorio [Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, RIAS Kammerchor/René Jacobs] THE BEACH BOYS: God Only Knows