Classical Christmas

Classical music fits Christmas celebrations like a cold hand in a warm mitten. When Clement Moore wrote about children nestled "while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads," you can bet he was thinking of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker: Act 2: Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy." Add some Canadian Brass, and let the festivities begin.

One way to pep up our Xmas playlist is to blend in foreign-language versions of songs that are longtime holiday favorites. "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" sends out a whole new flower as "Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen," a masterpiece of blossoming choral harmony. Alternatively, cue up the nifty fingerwork of Liona Boyd ("A Cannon for Christmas").

Don't overlook the instrumental tracks in our playlist: the Berlin Philharmonic's all-brass arrangement of "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" is more reminiscent of Gabriel blowing his divine horn than it is of that ragged group gathered around the Salvation Army kettle. And Andrew Davis conducts Handel's Messiah with masterful ease.

The majesty and splendor of Christ's birthday celebration is more majestic and splendiferous when it's being accompanied by, oh, say, a 75-piece orchestra and a 100-voice choir. When those crisply enunciated tones of Handel's "Messiah: Hallelujah" ring out against a backdrop of brass and strings, it's like the hand Michelangelo painted so long ago is reaching down from the heavens to touch you. This Classical Christmas Essentials list will lift the most dampened of holiday spirits, elevating them up like angels on high.