A selection of music guaranteed to get audiences into the festive spirit!

These 25 pieces range from symphonic fantasies on Christmas themes to simple carol arrangements for modest forces. They include familiar favourites such Victor Hely-Hutchinson’s evergreen A Carol Symphony and Malcolm Arnold’s The Holly and the Ivy, as well as concert pieces by John Joubert, John Harbison and Bryan Kelly. Duke Ellington and Lior Rosner offer contrasting, but equally compelling takes on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, while short pieces by Samuel Barber, Gian Carlo Menotti and John Tavener encapsulate the spirit of Christmas in each composer’s individual style.

View the full Christmas Music for Orchestra catalogue

A Carol Symphony (1927) 24’
Victor Hely-Hutchinson
3(pic)2(ca)3(bcl)3(cbn)/4331/timp.perc/hp[=pf]/str
Reduced orchestration: 2(2=pic)1(ca)21/2220/timp.perc/hp[=pf]/str

The Holly and the Ivy: Fantasy on Christmas Carol (1991) 9’
Malcolm Arnold
3(pic)222/4331/timp.3perc/2hp.pf[cel]/str

Nativity Prelude (2004) 13’
John Joubert
2222/4321/timp.perc/hp/str

Christmas Vespers (1988) 24’
John Harbison
Narrator, hn.2tpt.tbn.tba

Improvisations on Christmas Carol (1969) 12’
Bryan Kelly
2222/4231/timp.perc/hp/str

The Nutcracker Suite (Duke Ellington) (1960) 17’
arr. by Duke Ellington
2.1+ca.2+bcl.asx(tsx).2/4331/dmkit/jazz bass/str

Sugar Plum on the Run (2016) 14’
Lior Rosner
Narrator; 2+pic.2+ca.2(ebcl)+bcl.2+cbn/4.3.3.1/timp.4perc/hp.pf(cel)/str(12.10.8.6.4)

Die Natali — Chorale Preludes for Christmas (1960) 16’ 
Samuel Barber
2+pic.2+ca.2+bcl.2/4331/timp.perc/hp/str

Introduction, March, and Shepherd’s Dance (from “Amahl and the Night Visitors”) (1951) 7’
Gian Carlo Menotti
1211/1100/perc/hp.pf/str

The Lamb (1982, arr. 2006) 4’
John Tavener
str


Discover the full catalogue of Christmas Music of orchestra here


Listen to Spotify playlist of Christmas Music for Orchestra & Ensemble

(October 2020)