27 + 28 NOV 3, 18 + 19 DEC
5 THINGS ABOUT HOLIDAY MUSIC 1. The music associated with traditional winter celebrations like Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa is incredibly diverse, but the Smithsonian Folkways label says it all has one thing in common: it reflects the intimacy of holiday gatherings. 2. Although the oldest known Christmas music is religious, carols were considered by some to be ‘inappropriate’ for such a solemn time of year — Oliver Cromwell banned them in the U.K. during his reign in the 1600s. 3. Critics were not impressed at the first performance of The Nutcracker ballet in 1892, but by the late 1960s it was firmly entrenched as a holiday tradition.
Wednesday 27 November 2019 / 7:30PM Shane Homes YMCA NW
4. Leroy Anderson started composing holiday favourite Sleigh Ride during a heat wave in July 1946. Originally the work was instrumental — the lyrics were written in 1950 by Mitchell Parish.
Thursday 28 November 2019 / 7:30PM Brookfield YMCA SE Tuesday 3 December 2019 / 7:30PM Magnolia Banquet Hall NE Wednesday 18 December 2019 / 7:30PM Thursday 19 December 2019 / 7:30PM Grace Presbyterian Church SW Specials
Sounds of the Season SPONSORS + SUPPORTERS Associate Conductor Supporter: Mary Rozsa de Coquet Conductor Couturier: Umberto Custom Tailors Ltd.
PROGRAMME Karl Hirzer, conductor
5. A ccording to the Guinness World Records, Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is the best-selling single of all time — and that’s not just among holiday music. But Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You is the most downloaded holiday single and has dominated the charts since its release in 1994.
Programme to be announced from stage. Programme and artists subject to change without notice
14 | PRELUDE calgaryphil.com | 403.571.0849
indicates Canadian artist or composer
Karl Hirzer biography on page 7
