There seems a sense of homing for many this time of year, as much familial or spiritual as geographical. Autumn's invitation to winter's chill urges us toward stillness and reflection -- a coming home of sorts to our own feelings and memories. Age-old, unifying beliefs and traditions of all varieties abound for different groups and cultures throughout the year, but hardly anything resonates on the same universal scale as the holidays at this literal changeabout from darkness to light.
CPR Classical is honored to bring goodwill and celebration to our listeners throughout December with The Sound of the Season. It starts on Thanksgiving with a day of gratitude, unity and essential American works, followed by a delightful stream of holiday favorites.
This year we unveil our first ever exclusive winter collection, "Comfort & Joy" from the CPR Performance Studio with magical performances and surprise takes on timeless classics by Colorado musicians. Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeus” marks an early arrival of Hanukah. You’ll hear Tchaikovsky’s complete “Nutcracker” ballet, holiday cheer from the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Children’s Chorale and your 50 favorite selections during the 10th Annual Christmas Carol Countdown with David Rutherford. (Voting ends Dec. 6.)
Check out dozens of musical “packages” we’ve prepared for you below to truly bring home The Sound of the Season on CPR Classical.
| Sat, Dec. 29 | 11 a.m. | Met Opera presents 'The Magic Flute' A family-friendly performance of Mozart's beloved opera. |
| Mon, Dec. 31 | 5:30 p.m. | Beethoven Bash A CPR Classical tradition. Ring in the new year with all nine Beethoven symphonies, including the "Ode to Joy" from Symphony No. 9 at midnight. Beethoven biographer Jan Swafford and CPR Classical's Monika Vischer will walk us through The Beethoven 9. |
| Tue, Jan. 1 | 9 a.m. | New Year's Day Live from Vienna Ring in the new year with the Vienna Philharmonic. A beloved annual tradition. |
Previously aired programs:
| Thu, Nov. 22 | 6 a.m. | A CPR Classical Thanksgiving Americana and music of gathering and unity, all day on Thanksgiving. |
| Thu, Nov. 22 | 5 p.m. | Giving Thanks with John Birge For Thanksgiving, a classical celebration of the spirit of gratitude. |
| Fri, Nov. 23 | 6 a.m. | The Sound of the Season begins Hear your favorite holiday music on CPR Classical throughout the day this holiday season. |
| Fri, Nov. 23 | 6 a.m. | Carol Countdown voting begins Cast your vote by Dec. 6 to help us determine Colorado's favorite holiday music. |
| Fri, Nov. 23 | 11 a.m. | Giving Thanks with John Birge For Thanksgiving, a classical celebration of the spirit of gratitude. |
| Fri, Nov. 23 | 2 p.m. | Scott O'Neil on "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" A holiday edition of the insightful series of vignettes from the conductor and lecturer. |
| Sat, Nov. 24 | 8 a.m. | Giving Thanks with John Birge For Thanksgiving, a classical celebration of the spirit of gratitude. |
| Sun, Nov. 25 | 3 p.m. | Giving Thanks with John Birge For Thanksgiving, a classical celebration of the spirit of gratitude. |
| Sun, Nov. 25 | 5 p.m. | Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' CPR Classical bring you a variety of the best recordings throughout the season of the complete beloved ballet. |
| Wed, Nov. 28 | 11 a.m. | Christmas with the Colorado Children’s Chorale An encore of the group's 2017 holiday concert. |
| Thu, Nov. 29 | 7 p.m. | The Big Idea: L'enfance du Christ A look at the Christmas masterpiece by Hector Berlioz. |
| Fri, Nov. 30 | 2 p.m. | Scott O'Neil Shares a Holiday Memory Scott O'Neil describes an unusual instrument that adds to the magic of the season: the celesta. |
| Sat, Dec. 1 | 11 a.m. | The Met Opera Radio Broadcasts Return A new season begins with Arrigo Boito's "Mefistofele." |
| Sun, Dec. 2 | 10 a.m. | Eight Nights of Chanukah begins The sounds and stories of Chanukah, presented in short vignettes. Repeats at 4 p.m. |
| Sun, Dec. 2 | 7 p.m. | Holiday Bundle Marilyn Cooley hosts highlights of favorite holiday music collections. |
| Mon, Dec. 3 | 8 a.m. | Eight Nights of Chanukah The sounds and stories of Chanukah, presented in short vignettes. Repeats at 4 p.m. |
| Mon, Dec. 3 | 1 p.m. | Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' CPR Classical bring you a variety of the best recordings throughout the season of the complete beloved ballet. |
| Mon, Dec. 3 | 7 p.m. | Itzhak Perlman's Chanukah Radio Party Hear favorite Chanukah recordings and the story of the Jewish festival of lights, hosted by the famous violinist. |
| Tue, Dec. 4 | 8 a.m. | Eight Nights of Chanukah The sounds and stories of Chanukah, presented in short vignettes. Repeats at 4 p.m. |
| Tue, Dec. 4 | 7 p.m. | A John Rutter Christmas The renowned choral composer sits down with CPR's David Rutherford to share insights into the making of some of his favorite Christmas pieces. An hour of music and conversation. |
| Wed, Dec. 5 | 8 a.m. | Eight Nights of Chanukah The sounds and stories of Chanukah, presented in short vignettes. Repeats at 4 p.m. |
| Wed, Dec. 5 | 7 p.m. | The Big Idea: Ceremony of Carols A look at Benjamin Britten's holiday masterwork. |
| Thu, Dec. 6 | 8 a.m. | Eight Nights of Chanukah The sounds and stories of Chanukah, presented in short vignettes. Repeats at 4 p.m. |
| Thu, Dec. 6 | 10 a.m. | Comfort & Joy In this special edition of Colorado Spotlight, David Ginder debuts CPR Classical's new, exclusive holiday collection recorded in Colorado Public Radio's Performance Studio. |
| Thu, Dec. 6 | 6 p.m. | Comfort & Joy In this special edition of Colorado Spotlight, David Ginder debuts CPR Classical's new, exclusive holiday collection recorded in Colorado Public Radio's Performance Studio. |
| Thu, Dec. 6 | 7 p.m. | Itzhak Perlman's Chanukah Radio Party Hear favorite Chanukah recordings and the story of the Jewish festival of lights, hosted by the famous violinist. |
| Fri, Dec. 7 | 8 a.m. | Eight Nights of Chanukah The sounds and stories of Chanukah, presented in short vignettes. Repeats at 4 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 7 | 2 p.m. | Scott O'Neil Shares a Holiday Memory A holiday edition of the insightful series of vignettes from the conductor and lecturer. |
| Fri, Dec. 7 | 7 p.m. | Christmas with the Colorado Children’s Chorale An encore of the group's 2017 holiday concert. |
| Sat, Dec. 8 | 6 a.m. | Top New Releases of 2018 Starting today and throughout the season, we feature music from some of our favorite classical albums of the year. |
| Sat, Dec. 8 | 8 a.m. | Eight Nights of Chanukah The sounds and stories of Chanukah, presented in short vignettes. Repeats at 4 p.m. |
| Sat, Dec. 8 | 10:30 a.m. | Met Opera Presents Puccini's "Il Trittico" A performance of the operatic masterwork. |
| Sun, Dec. 9 | 7 a.m. | A John Rutter Christmas The renowned choral composer sits down with CPR's David Rutherford to share insights into the making of some of his favorite Christmas pieces. An hour of music and conversation. |
| Sun, Dec. 9 | 10 a.m. | Eight Nights of Chanukah The sounds and stories of Chanukah, presented in short vignettes. Repeats at 4 p.m. |
| Sun, Dec. 9 | 6 p.m. | Handel's "Judas Maccabaeus" Host David Ginder presents a performance of the beloved oratoriowhich illuminates the origins of the Festival of Lights, the heart of the Chanukah story. |
| Mon, Dec. 10 | 10 a.m. | The Colorado Symphony: Holiday Brass A special edition of Colorado Spotlight, featuring seasonal favorites performed by the brass of the Colorado Symphony. |
| Mon, Dec. 10 | 3 p.m. | Holiday Bundle Marilyn Cooley hosts highlights of favorite holiday music collections. |
| Mon, Dec. 10 | 6 p.m. | The Colorado Symphony: Holiday Brass A special edition of Colorado Spotlight, featuring seasonal favorites performed by the brass of the Colorado Symphony. |
| Tue, Dec. 11 | All day | Comfort & Joy CPR Classical's new, exclusive holiday collection of Colorado musicians recorded in Colorado Public Radio's Performance Studio. |
| Thu, Dec. 13 | 10 a.m. | Colorado Spotlight: Richard Toensing A look at a sacred Christmas work by the beloved, late Colorado composer. |
| Thu, Dec. 13 | 1 p.m. | Carol Countdown Three hours of Colorado's favorite holiday music, as selected by CPR Classical listeners. |
| Thu, Dec. 13 | 6 p.m. | Colorado Spotlight: Richard Toensing A look at a sacred Christmas work by a beloved Colorado composer. |
| Fri, Dec. 14 | 10 a.m. | Colorado Symphony Celebrates Beethoven The orchestra plays favorites by one of history's most brilliant composers. Recorded live at Boettcher Concert Hall, December 2018. |
| Fri, Dec. 14 | 1 p.m. | A John Rutter Christmas The renowned choral composer sits down with CPR's David Rutherford to share insights into the making of some of his favorite Christmas pieces. An hour of music and conversation. |
| Fri, Dec. 14 | 2 p.m. | Scott O'Neil on Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 Celebrate Beethoven's birthday with an installment of the insightful series from the conductor and lecturer. |
| Fri, Dec. 14 | 3 p.m. | CPR Classical's Beethoven Birthday Party begins Celebrate the birthday of one of history's greatest composers all weekend long. You'll hear lots of Beethoven pieces as well as stories behind some of his greatest masterworks. |
| Fri, Dec. 14 | 6 p.m. | Colorado Symphony Celebrates Beethoven The orchestra plays favorites by one of history's most brilliant composers. Recorded live at Boettcher Concert Hall, December 2018. |
| Fri, Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. | The Big Idea: Beethoven's Violin Concerto A look at the masterwork, in honor of Beethoven's birthday on Dec. 16. |
| Sat, Dec. 15 | All day | CPR Classical's Beethoven Birthday Party continues Celebrate the Dec. 16 birthday of one of history's greatest composers all weekend long. You'll hear lots of Beethoven pieces as well as stories behind some of his greatest masterworks. |
| Sat, Dec. 15 | 11 a.m. | Met Opera presents 'La Traviata' A performance of Giuseppe Verdi's masterwork. |
| Sat, Dec. 15 | 3 p.m. | Comfort & Joy CPR Classical's new, exclusive holiday collection of Colorado musicians recorded in Colorado Public Radio's Performance Studio. |
| Sat, Dec. 15 | 5 p.m. | Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' CPR Classical bring you a variety of the best recordings throughout the season of the complete beloved ballet. |
| Sun, Dec. 16 | 7 a.m. | Carol Countdown Three hours of Colorado's favorite holiday music, as selected by CPR Classical listeners. |
| Sun, Dec. 16 | Noon | Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' CPR Classical bring you a variety of the best recordings throughout the season of the complete beloved ballet. |
| Sun, Dec. 16 | 2 p.m. | Colorado Symphony Celebrates Beethoven The orchestra plays favorites by one of history's most brilliant composers. Recorded live at Boettcher Concert Hall. |
| Mon, Dec. 17 | 8 a.m. | Comfort & Joy CPR Classical's new, exclusive holiday collection of Colorado musicians recorded in Colorado Public Radio's Performance Studio. |
| Mon, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m. | The Big Idea: 'Hodie' An exploration of Ralph Vaughan Williams' beloved piece. |
| Tue, Dec. 18 | 9 a.m. | A John Rutter Christmas The renowned choral composer sits down with CPR's David Rutherford to share insights into the making of some of his favorite Christmas pieces. An hour of music and conversation. |
| Tue, Dec. 18 | 1 p.m. | Christmas with the Colorado Children’s Chorale An encore of the group's 2017 holiday concert. |
| Tue, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m. | Holiday Bundle Marilyn Cooley hosts highlights of favorite holiday music collections. |
| Wed, Dec. 19 | 9 a.m. | Carol Countdown Three hours of Colorado's favorite holiday music, as selected by CPR Classical listeners. |
| Wed, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. | The Big Idea: 'Amahl and the Night Visitors' A look at Menotti's beloved holiday opera. |
| Thu, Dec. 20 | 4 p.m. | Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' CPR Classical bring you a variety of the best recordings throughout the season of the complete beloved ballet. |
| Thu, Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. | Comfort & Joy CPR Classical's new, exclusive holiday collection of Colorado musicians recorded in Colorado Public Radio's Performance Studio. |
| Fri, Dec. 21 | 2 p.m. | Scott O'Neil on 'In The Bleak Midwinter' A holiday edition of the insightful series of vignettes from the conductor and lecturer. |
| Fri, Dec. 21 | 3 p.m. | December Solstice An hour of midwinter reflection and music to celebrate the Winter Solstice. |
| Sat, Dec. 22 | 11 a.m. | Met Opera presents 'La Fanciulla del West' A performance of Puccini's beloved opera. |
| Sat, Dec. 22 | 3 p.m. | Carol Countdown Three hours of Colorado's favorite holiday music, as selected by CPR Classical listeners. |
| Sat, Dec. 22 | 7 p.m. | Handel's 'Messiah' A classic recording of Handel's enduring masterwork. |
| Sun, Dec. 23 | 3 p.m. | The Colorado Symphony: Holiday Brass A special edition of Colorado Spotlight, featuring seasonal favorites performed by the brass of the Colorado Symphony. |
| Mon, Dec. 24 | 8 a.m. | A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Join us live for a two-hour Christmas tradition from King's College in Cambridge, England. The event celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. |
| Mon, Dec. 24 | 10 a.m. | Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' CPR Classical bring you a variety of the best recordings throughout the season of the complete beloved ballet. |
| Mon, Dec. 24 | 3 p.m. | A John Rutter Christmas The renowned choral composer sits down with CPR's David Rutherford to share insights into the making of some of his favorite Christmas pieces. An hour of music and conversation. |
| Mon, Dec. 24 | 6 p.m. | A Candlelight Christmas Join CPR Classical just after sundown for 30 continuous hours of holiday music beginning on Christmas Eve, taking you throughout Christmas Day. |
| Tue, Dec. 25 | 9 a.m. | Colorado Children's Chorale Celebrates Christmas 2018 A brand-new recording of the young singers' holiday concert, recorded in early December 2018. |
| Tue, Dec. 25 | Noon | Carol Countdown Three hours of Colorado's favorite holiday music, as selected by CPR Classical listeners. |
