Here are some of my favorite Christmas choral pieces. I will add more as we get closer to the 25th.

Peter Warlock - Bethlehem Down
Siglo de Oro, Dir. Patrick Allies
youtube.com/watch?v=BKtTFIkP9c



Wow, this performance!

Michael Praetorius - Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
The Gesualdo Six

(at Ely Cathedral)

youtube.com/watch?v=OAIro_A1CY



Most of you will know this carol in a modernized arrangement. Here it is in its authentic modal, irregular metered glory.

The Coventry Carol
Sospiri Choir

youtube.com/watch?v=WII-nEAykq



I cannot express how much I would love to sing this piece in this space.

Of the Father's Love Begotten - arr. Sir David Wilcocks
Ely Cathedral Choir

youtube.com/watch?v=Pt75zI4kz6



With all respect to John Rutter, THIS is the finest setting of this carol.

John Jacob Niles - I Wonder As I Wander - arr. Steve Pilkington
Westminster Williamson Voices of Westminster Choir College
James Jordan

youtube.com/watch?v=aw_bNM2InD



Wake Awake, For Night is Flying - Philipp Nicolai, arr. F. Melius Christiansen
St. Olaf Massed Choirs
Anton Armstrong

youtube.com/watch?v=wdN7vC2q9M



I've always loved this particular setting of this text, in the way that it conveys the "mystery".

Francis Poulenc - O Magnum Mysterium
Robert Shaw Festival Singers
Robert Shaw, cond.

youtube.com/watch?v=VShyqHcWjP



I recommend listening to the traditional harmonization of this carol by Praetorius first, as it is the basis for this piece (see above in this thread).

Jan Sandström - Det är en ros utsprungen
Siglo de Oro

youtube.com/watch?v=86-ulHbApO

Here is a decent overview:
en.www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Es_i


With all respect to King's Cambridge, this non-professional choir from Bethlehem, PA just flat out does this classic arrangement better.

O Come, All Ye Faithful - arr. Wilcocks
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
Greg Funfgeld

youtube.com/watch?v=DvGbUIS7EI



In my humble opinion, THIS is the war-horse that should be sung by choirs during Advent; not the Hallelujah Chorus, which has nothing to do with the season.

Besides, Mendelssohn writes better for choirs.

Felix Mendelssohn - There Shall a Star From Jacob Come Forth (from Christus, Op. 97)
The Choirs of Blackburn Cathedral
Shaun Turnbull, organ
Samuel Hudson, conductor

youtube.com/watch?v=mEACRHOiM8



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