Christmas Music 24/7

What’s your favorite Christmas Song?


Here’s another question for you...

What’s your dad’s favorite Christmas Song?

If you ask any of our kids that question they’ll know the answer. Jeff loves the tune, O Come O Come Emmanuel. I think he likes it because it’s based on an old Gregorian chant, and Jeff’s always been a fan of the Gregorian chant.

Next question...

What’s your mom’s favorite Christmas song?

If you ask my kids that, they aren’t likely to know. That’s because I don’t really have a favorite. I love them all! From The Bell that Couldn’t Jingle, to Gardner’s Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day I’ve never heard a Christmas Song I didn’t like. However, I will admit, I prefer Classical Christmas Music. It’s rich and bright, and usually tells the story of the real reason for the season, as they say.

If you’re not sure what I mean by Classical Christmas Music, (or if you’d love to hear some right now) I invite you to visit my favorite place for Christmas music, MPR’s online stream. Just copy and paste this link to your browser and it will take you to MPR's home page. Then click where it says "HOLIDAY CLASSICS" and you'll be enjoying Christmas Music with me in no time.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/cms/


Too much work?

Okay.

Then just listen to this one.

Bonus Blog - 01 revised

In July I was talking to an old friend and I mentioned that I like to listen to classical music. She replied sarcastically, "How old are you?" A week ago I told my brother I listen to classical and he too responded negatively.

Therefore, I feel it is time for me to defend my love of classical music with 3 bullet points.

• ALWAYS SOMETHING FRESH - Since there is so much of it, I can listen to MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) for weeks and never hear the same piece twice. All other stations play the same music over and over. BORING.
• NO DUMB LYRICS - Classical music is usually instrumental, so I don't have to put up with stupid or inappropriate lyrics. I can also decide for myself what I think the music is about. Give it a try as you listen to the piece below. Do you think of a peaceful garden, two lovers, a battle field, or all of the above?
  
• VARIETY - Classical music has tons of it. Even in this song, which is basically the same melody repeated 18 times, you'll find no one "verse" is like the others. Each is played by a different part of the orchestra, and with growing intensity, making a piece that should be a bore wonderfully exciting.

If you haven't guessed it yet, the classical piece I invite you to listen to is Ravel's Bolero. Prepare to be moved!

Bonus Blog - 1

In July I was talking to an old friend and I mentioned that I like to listen to classical music. She replied sarcastically, "How old are you?" A week ago I told my brother I listen to classical and he too responded negatively.

Therefore, I feel it is time for me to defend my love of classical music with 3 bullet points.

• ALWAYS SOMETHING FRESH - Since there is so much of it, I can listen to MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) for weeks and never hear the same piece twice. All other stations play the same music over and over. BORING.
• NO DUMB LYRICS - Classical music is usually instrumental, so I don't have to put up with stupid or inappropriate lyrics. I can also decide for myself what I think the music is about. Give it a try as you listen to the piece below. Do you think of a peaceful garden, two lovers, a battle field, or all of the above?
  
• VARIETY - Classical music has tons of it. Even in this song, which is basically the same melody repeated 18 times, you'll find no one "verse" is like the others. Each is played by a different part of the orchestra, and with growing intensity, making a piece that should be a bore, wonderfully exciting!

If you haven't guessed it yet, the classical piece I invite you to listen to is Ravel's Bolero. I was going to try and put a youtube video of it here, but either I can't or I don't know how. So just go to YouTube.com and search for Bolero. The one posted by "consejomunicipal" is the best. I also have it posted on my facebook wall. After you listen to it come back here and tell us what you thought. Have I made a classical music lover out of you?

NOTE: You can also listen to MPR right from your computer. Just visit http://minnesota.publicradio.org/ and click on the link in the green box. Friday afternoon is the best time to listen. They have "Friday Favorites" where it's all listener requested music. Saturday afternoon is the worst time to listen. That's when they play opera. I love classical, but I can only take so much opera.

NOTE # 2: This morning I figured out how to post YouTube videos to my blog. Click on Bonus Blog - 01 revised to the right to see/hear the Bolero video.