Many fans tell us this is their favorite time of year to listen. CPR Classical is a respite from the hustle and bustle of the season.
There's something unique about the gentle voices of an angelic choir singing of birth and hope at this reflective time that serves as an antidote to the crowded shops, parking lots and deadlines to get packages out the door. And indeed, I hope the music we've planned brings you and yours joy and peace this season.
Along the way, listen for many special programs like A Colorado Choral Christmas, Tchaikovsky's complete "Nutcracker" ballet and our traditional Candlelight Christmas beginning Christmas Eve. The 2014 Classical Retrospective looks back on music news from the year, and Charley Samson rings in the New Year with all nine Beethoven symphonies. Take a look. There's much more.
And of course, don't forget to cast your vote by Dec. 10 for the Carol Countdown. From all of us at CPR Classical, happy holidays!
| Date | Time | Program |
| Thu, Nov. 27 | 5 p.m. | Giving Thanks with John Birge On Thanksgiving, a classical celebration of the spirit of gratitude. |
| Thu, Nov. 27 | 10 a.m. | An All-American Thanksgiving American composers featured throughout the day. |
| Fri, Nov. 28 | 6 a.m. | A Classical Colorado Christmas begins Hear your favorite holiday music on CPR Classical throughout the day this holiday season. |
| Fri, Nov. 28 | 6 a.m. | Carol Countdown voting begins Cast your vote to help us determine Colorado's favorite holiday music. |
| Fri, Nov. 28 | 7 p.m. | Tchaikovsky’s complete "Nutcracker" ballet A full performance, and the story behind the piece. Repeats 1 p.m. Dec. 10; 10 a.m. Dec. 18 and 1:30 Dec. 24. |
| Wed, Dec. 3 | 7 p.m. | Amahl and the Night Visitors A look at Menotti's moving one-act opera, and a full performance. |
| Thurs, Dec. 4 | 7 p.m. | Christmas with the Colorado Children's Chorale An encore of the group's 2013 concert. |
| Sun, Dec. 7 | 6 a.m. | L'enfance du Christ (The Childhood of Christ) David Rutherford hosts the 90-minute oratorio telling of the Holy Family's flight into Egypt after Christ's birth. Orchestra, choir and seven soloists retell Hector Berlioz's grand, allegorical account of the biblical story. |
| Sun, Dec. 7 | 8 a.m. | A Colorado Choral Christmas A two-hour look at local choral ensembles' holiday performances, hosted by Charley Samson and David Rutherford. Repeats at 7 p.m. Dec 23 and in two one-hour installments at 7 p.m. Dec. 15-16. Catch a one-hour version on CPR News at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. |
| Thu, Dec. 11 | 7 p.m. | Colorado Spotlight: Handel's "Messiah" Including highlights of a performance by the Colorado Bach Ensemble. |
| Fri, Dec. 12 | 7 p.m. | Colorado Spotlight: Richard Toensing A look at a sacred Christmas work by a beloved Colorado composer. |
| Tue, Dec. 16 | 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. | "Eight Nights of Channukah" begins The sounds and stories of Channukah, presented in five-minute vignettes each day at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. New installments daily through Dec. 24. |
| Wed, Dec. 17 | 1 p.m. | Carol Countdown Three hours of Colorado's favorite holiday music, as selected by our listeners. Repeats at 3 p.m. Dec. 20 and noon Dec. 25. Hear it on CPR News at 8 p.m. Dec. 24. |
| Thu, Dec. 18 | 8 p.m. | Charles Dickens and the Spirit of Christmas A look at the sounds and history of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Repeats at 3 p.m. Dec. 22 and 7 p.m. Dec. 25. Catch it on CPR News at 10 a.m. Dec. 24 and 7 p.m. Dec. 25. |
| Sat, Dec. 20 | 6 p.m. | St. Olaf Christmas Festival A two-hour holiday choral concert that's part of a 100-year tradition. |
| Mon, Dec. 22 | 7 p.m. | A Canto Deo Christmas A Christmas choral performance broadcast live from Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Aurora. |
| Wed, Dec. 24 | 8 a.m. | A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols A two-hour Christmas program from King's College in Cambridge, England. |
| Wed, Dec. 24 | 10 a.m. | A Chanticleer Christmas A one-hour choral celebration of the season. |
| Wed, Dec. 24 | 6 p.m. | A Candlelight Christmas Enjoy 12 continuous hours of holiday music on Christmas Eve. |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 9 a.m. | Christmas with the Colorado Children’s Chorale A two-hour presentation of the group's 2014 holiday concert. |
| Fri, Dec. 26 | 7 p.m. | 2014 Classical Retrospective A look back at the year in classical music, featuring classical music news from Colorado and around the world. Repeats at 7 p.m. Dec. 27; noon Dec. 28; 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Jan. 1; and 3 p.m. Jan. 3. Hear it on CPR News at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 1. |
| Wed, Dec. 31 | 6 p.m. | Beethoven Bash Ring in the new year with host Charley Samson and all nine Beethoven symphonies, including the "Ode to Joy" from Symphony No. 9 at midnight. |
| Thu, Jan 1 | 9 a.m. | New Year's Day Live from Vienna Ring in the new year with the Vienna Philharmonic. |
