Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Christmas, Unclassified

Elizabeth Alker explores the sonic palette of Christmas, highlighting wintry sounds from a new generation of unclassifiable composers.

Elizabeth Alker explores and deconstructs the sonic palette of Christmas, making a fantasy winter ensemble out of a new generation of unclassifiable composers.

Expect haunting organs from Scottish composer, Claire M Singer; chimes and bells from German techno producer, Pantha Du Prince; the cockles-warming hum of tape hiss, and frigid fingers on guitar strings, courtesy of Jessica Pratt; and the arresting, stark sound of voices filling a cold and cavernous room, with Voces8’s reimagining of an Icelandic hymn. Merry Christmas, Unclassified style.

Produced by Frank Palmer
A Reduced Listening Production for Radio 3

1 hour

Last on

Thu 23 Dec 202123:30
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Electronic escapades

Next

Space Afrika’s Listening Chair

See all episodes from Unclassified

Music Played

  • Sven Wunder

    Asterism Waltz (Celesta Version)

    • Asterism Waltz.
    • Piano Piano.

  • Laura Cannell & Kate Ellis

    FARE THEE WELL TOGETHER

    • DECEMBER SOUNDS.
    • Brawl Records.

  • Claire M Singer

    Dìobaig

    • Solas.
    • Touch.

  • Jessica Pratt

    Moon Dude

    • On Your Own Love Again.
    • Drag City Records.

  • Seb Wildblood

    Night Ride

  • Ólafur Arnalds

    Only The Winds

    • For Now I Am Winter.
    • Mercury Classics.

  • Daphne Oram

    Snow

    • Oramics.
    • Paradigm Discs.

  • The Beatles

    December 20: Christmas Interview - Astoria Cinema, London - ITN News

    • The Early Beatles Live Anthology 1962 - 1963.
    • BFB.

  • Jonas Bonnetta

    ii

    • Drifting Snow (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).

  • Tommy Tucker and His Orchestra

    Tommy Tucker and his orchestra - That Old Sweetheart of Mine

    • 1941-1947.
    • Circle.

  • Nils Frahm

    Ambre

    • Wintermusik.
    • Erased Tapes Records.

  • Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson

    Heyr himna smiður [Hear Heaven's maker]

    Choir: VOCES8.
    • Infinity.

  • Pantha du Prince

    Pius In Tacet

    • Conference Of Trees.
    • Modern Recordings.

  • Marlene Dietrich

    Ich Bin Von Kopf Bis Fuß Auf Liebe Eingestellt

    • Ich Bin Von Kopf Bis Fuß Auf Liebe Eingestellt.
    • Odeon.

Broadcast

  • Thu 23 Dec 202123:30
    BBC Radio 3

What is unclassified music?

What is unclassified music?

Elizabeth Alker introduces five of her favourite 'unclassifiable' pieces of music.