From Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall to the Spirit of Christmas with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Jocelyn Abbott serves up a stocking full of good cheer with her favourite festive concerts around England.
The Royal Albert Hall not only is the home to BBC’s wonderful Proms Festival every summer, they have a festival of their own. Here is taste of all the various delights that you can enjoy under their festive umbrella with 25 concerts to choose from, ranging from a Christmas Carol Singalong to Jingle Bell Christmas and Handel’s Messiah, without which the festive season just wouldn’t be complete. Have a look and get ready to book! http://www.raymondgubbay.co.uk/whats-on/royal-albert-hall-christmas-festival
If you would rather enjoy The Messiah in a more atmospheric setting, London’s Southbank is presenting Handel’s grand choral masterpiece in full period costume with an evocative candlelit-style setting. http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/messiah-by-candlelight-89868?dt=2015-12-12
No matter how busy we are preparing for and coping with the hustle and bustle associated with Christmas, the season just cannot pass without enjoying traditional and new festive carols in some of the capital’s grandest churches and concert halls – some for charity and some with the added attraction of several of Britain’s celebrated actors lending support and leading in the traditional readings. From the Guards Chapel Christmas Concert at Wellington Barracks in aid of macmillan.org.uk to Carols by Candlelight at Christ Church in Spitalfields organised by the NSPCC and Maggie’s St Paul Cathedral Christmas Carol Concert, there is something for everyone this festive season.
Liverpudlians will have five opportunities to enjoy a celebration of The Spirit of Christmas with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic for an evening of festive music, old and new. There will be classic carols and seasonal readings from Classic FM’s John Suchet, back by popular demand; folk star Kathryn Tickell brings the timeless magic of the Northumbrian pipes to the sound of our choruses and full orchestra; and conductor Ian Tracey adds a stocking-full of good cheer. And, of course, be ready to join in because this is a Christmas treat for everyone. http://www.liverpoolphil.com/16706/events-classical-music/spirit-of-christmas.html
Manchester’s celebrated Hallé Orchestra is offering a bundle of Christmas musical treats including a traditional sing-along and a formal carol concert and a screening of The Snowman with live accompaniment. The Hallé also celebrates the New Year for its audiences, transporting us to the banks of the Blue Danube with an afternoon of grand Viennese waltzes. http://www.halle.co.uk/christmas2015.aspx
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Classics concert is a favourite among Aberdeen’s Music Hall’s annual seasonal celebrations. The orchestra brings a fine selection of Christmas music, including carols for all the family, favourite works by Handel, Tchaikovsky, Malcolm Arnold, and Irving Berlin – to name a few. Once again, tenor and BBC Radio Scotland presenter Jamie MacDougall holds the whole affair together with wit and panache. http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ehbfxj
Jocelyn Abbott is leader of the Abbott O’Gorman Piano Duo and your guide to classical music. Have a question you’d like to ask Jocelyn about music? Drop her a line at enquiries@cubittmusic.co.uk
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