Christmas: Jingle Bells – originally written in1857 for Thanksgiving
Christmas: Away in a Manger – written in America in the 1880s
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – listen to the celeste in this ethereal piece
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite Dance of the Mirlitons or Reed Pipes – find out what a mirliton actually is
Listen to The Nutcracker
The story narrated by Heather and with Tchaikovsky’s ballet music produced for radio by Martin
Christmas Day 10-11pm Mix 92.6
Boxing Day 1-2pm Wycombe Sound
Rimsky Korsakov: Scheherazade 3rd movement The young prince and the young princess – hear the clarinet representing the princess’ tender kisses
Emilie Waldteufel: Skaters’ Waltz Les Patineurs – a dreamy piece written in 1882 to sway along to
Smetana: Ma Vlast Vltava – one of 6 symphonic poems composed by this patriotic Czech
Howard Goodall: The Lord is My Shepherd – the theme from the iconic comedy series The Vicar of Dibley
Mozart: Requiem Lacrimosa – written but left incomplete in 1791 Mozart’s final year
Christmas: Once in Royal David’s City – written by an Irish poet
Christmas: O Come All Ye Faithful – also known as Adeste Fideles
COFFEE BREAK Two stress-relieving piano concerti
Shostakovitch: Piano Concerto No 2 in F major 2nd movement Andante – what picture does this paint for you?
Field: Piano Concerto No 6 in C major 2nd movement Larghetto – the 6th of 7 piano concerti from this lesser known 18th century Irish composer
Christmas: Hark the Herald Angels – based on Luke chapter 2
Christmas: O Little Town of Bethlehem – from a 19th century Episcopal priest from Philadelphia
Christmas: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks – find out how this links to the Poet Laureate of 1700
J Strauss II: Blue Danube Waltz – one of the most famous classical waltzes
J Strauss II: Tritsch Tratsch Polka – listen in to what inspired Strauss to write this fun piece
Listen to A Viennese Concert with music from the Strauss family
New Year’s Day 7-9pm Wycombe Sound
Three pieces of film music from contemporary composers:
Michael Nyman: The heart asks for pleasure first – from The Piano
John Barry: John Dunbar Theme – from Dances with Wolves
John Williams: Theme – from Schindler’s List
Christmas: Silent Night – an utter delight when sung in German
Christmas: O Holy Night – a spine-tingling carol to round off our show
Martin and Heather would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas
and they look forward to your company in 2026
