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12:22 am today will mark this year's Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere, when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equatorial plane. (Calculate the length of day for any Northern latitude and any day of year.)
Many different cultures mark the solstice with festivals of light - for example, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa - and of course, Festivus, for the rest of us.
To celebrate the season in whatever fashion you choose, we've assembled some holiday song selections and suggestions, for playing or giving.
Presents that pop
Faculty from MIT's music section and the Media Laboratory offer their favorite recordings as great gifts to give and receive this holiday season:
- Mark Harvey, lecturer in music, is a trumpeter, composer and Duke Ellington scholar. He directs the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra. Harvey recommends Danilo Perez, George Russell, and The Mary Lou Williams Collective.
- Tod Machover of the Media Lab has composed five operas and leads the group that invented Hyperinstruments. Machover recommends Natura Renovatur, William Byrd, and The Who.
- Martin Marks is a music historian specializing in film music, and also accompanies silent movies on piano. He recommends the Casablanca soundtrack, Danny Elfman, and Bernard Herrmann's Hitchcock film scores.
- Pamela Wood, senior lecturer in music and sight-singing coordinator, is also an acclaimed soprano. Wood recommends Bobby McFerrin, Richard Smallwood, and Bessie Jones.
- Professor Evan Ziporyn is an acclaimed clarinetist and composer, known for combining Balinese gamelan with western instruments and electronics. Ziporyn is a member of the Bang on a Can All-Stars and the Steve Reich Ensemble. He recommends 4th International Jew's Harp Festival, Requiem for a Dying Planet, and Music of Indonesia.
Check out more faculty favorites: Faculty make musical recommendations.
Timeless tunes for this time of year
Christmas:
- Elvis Presley, "Elvis' Christmas Album": Issued in 1957, this album has a side of rock songs and one of carols and Christian songs, including versions of "White Christmas" as well as "Blue Christmas." Check out "Santa Claus is Back in Town."
- "Ceremonies of Carols, Music of Britten, Poulenc, Respighi": This is not your usual holiday listening album but has beautiful performances of Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," Poulenc's "Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noel" and Respighi's "Lauda per la Nativita del Signore."
Chanukah:
- "The Odd Potato": Judd Hirsch narrates this Chanukah story with music performed by 20 Tony Award winners, including Elaine Stritch, Sutton Foster, Hal Linden and Hal Prince. A portion of the proceeds benefit children with special needs.
- "A Taste of Chanukah": Recorded live in Boston's Jordan Hall, this compilation of Chanukah tunes features folk musician and Broadway star Theodore Bikel with students from the New England Conservatory and the Boston Community Gospel Choir. The "taste" of Chanukah is literal as the recording also features a demonstration of how to make latkes (potato pancakes).
Check out more holiday hits for Christmas and Chanukah. |
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Tod Machover of the Media Lab recommends:
Natura Renovatur, William Byrd, and The Who.
Pamela Wood, senior lecturer in music, recommends:
Bobby McFerrin, Richard Smallwood, and Bessie Jones.
Evan Ziporyn of Gamelan Galak Tika and Bang on a Can All-Stars recommends:
International Jew's Harp Festival, Requiem for a Dying Planet, and Music of Indonesia.
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