Christmas is a time of joy and tradition. Our audiences tell us they love our mix of early music and carols old and new.
This year, our concert opens with overflowing joy, as we sing Sweelink’s “Christus natus est”—beloved in Europe as an opening for Christmas programs. The exuberance continues with the first performance in Santa Cruz of “Run Ye Shepherds to the Light”—a work for soprano solo, choir and orchestra by Michael Haydn, Joseph Haydn’s younger brother.
Among modern composers, we bring you Morten Lauridson’s stunning “O Magnum Mysterium” and Arvo Pärt’s world famous “Magnificat,” composed for Christian Grube and his Berlin boys’ choir. We also sing three pieces by Kirke Mechem, as a special tribute in honor of his 100th birthday this year.
We conclude with carols from around the world, singing joyously, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas!”