What would Christmas be without music? From the sacred to the seasonalcarols, there's a wide and varied line-up this year. All you have to do isopen your ears, writes Arminta Wallace.
TOMORROW
National Gallery, Merrion Square, 6.30 p.m.
The National Chamber Choir presents an imaginative programme of choral music based on the theme of peace. It opens with the motet Supremum est mortalibus, written by Guillaume Dufay in 1433, and continues across the centuries with music by Bach and Schutz, Schoenberg and Penderecki, finishing up with the première of a specially commissioned new setting of the Supremum est mortalibus text by the Belfast composer Stephen Gardner.
Also at the Clonard Monastery in Belfast on Wednesday December 11th at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7th
NCH, 8 p.m.
The Palestrina choir kicks off its centenary celebrations with a concert of seasonal favourites, which includes excerpts from Britten's A Ceremony of Carols, the première of a new carol by David Mooney called The Dublin Bell Carol, and a potted history of the choir. The featured guests are tenor Emmanuel Lawler, organist Gerard Gillen and the Cathedral Brass Consort, and it's all conducted by the Palestrina's recently-
appointed director, Blanaid Murphy.
Booking for the National
Concert Hall is on 01-4170000, or online at www.nch.ie
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th
NCH, 8 p.m.
Something for everyone seems to be the motto when The Lassus Scholars and Piccolo Lasso, directed by Ite O'Donovan, blend Beethoven's Mass in C, Op 86, with a selection of operatic duets and - last but certainly not least - Christmas favourites.
With the Orlando Chamber Orchestra, Charles Pearson on organ, and soloists Franzita Whelan, Imelda
Drumm, Declan Kelly and Jeffrey Ledwidge.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11th
The Helix, DCU Glasnevin, 7.30 p.m.
Who says Christmas has to be choral? The Irish Chamber Orchestra offers a refreshing programme of instrumental music which includes Christmas concerti by
Corelli and Torelli as well as Bach and Schubert. Also at the University Concert Hall, Limerick on Dec 12th.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13th
NCH, John Field Room, 1.05 p.m.
Carols for Christmas with the Dublin Institute of Technology chamber choir, conducted by Bernie Sherlock. With Celine Kelly, piano.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14th
Central Library, ILAC Centre, Dublin, 3 p.m.
Shopping in the city centre? Take a break and pop into the ILAC Centre library for a seasonal selection of musical favourites with Dublin Corporation Choir.
Christ Church Cathedral, 8 p.m. Carols for Freedom concert
Amnesty International's annual concert. Tickets from Amnesty at 01-6776361.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 15th
NCH, 3 p.m.
The Young European Strings School of Music celebrates its 15th anniversary with a "children for children" performance which includes Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings conducted by Gerhard Markson and Mozart's Violin Concerto in A KV 219, soloist Gwendolyn Masin. There will also be traditional carols with the Lassus Scholars and Piccolo Lasso.
St Ann's Church, Dawson Street, Dublin, 7 p.m., The Civic Carol Service
An ecumenical version of the Nine Lessons and Carols, with the Lord Mayor of Dublin in attendance and readings by people from public life. People come from miles away for this special service, so take some good advice from those in the know
and get there early.
NCH, 8 p.m.
Glasnevin Musical Society presents "Your Favourite Melodies at Christmas" with Virginia Kerr, soprano, and Emmanuel Lawler, tenor.
Colman Pearce conducts the Pro Arte orchestra.
Christmas, and All That Jazz,
Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire
Susannah de Wrixon, together with Trio con brio and special guests, performs an evening of popular Christmas music and stories. The selection includes Winter Wonderland, A Child's Christmas in Wales and excerpts from Shakespeare and J.B. Keane. Mulled wine and mince pies available at the bar. Runs from December 16th to 22nd, tel: 01-2312929
TUESDAY DECEMBER 17th
NCH, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra's Countdown to Christmas promises madness and magic for all the family. Gareth Hudson conducts, aided and abetted by presenter Alasdair Molloy.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18th
NCH, 8 p.m.
Raymond Gubbay's show The Glory of Christmas has Geraint Dodd, tenor, trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins, Carlow Choral Society and St Bartholomew's Children's Choir. The Dublin Concert Orchestra is conducted by Richard Cooke. Also on Dec 19th.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 19th
The Space at The Helix, DCU, Glasnevin, 8 p.m.
A free concert by the National Chamber Choir mixes carols from Catalonia and the Caribbean with those of a more traditional hue. Also at the National Gallery of Ireland on Friday 20th at 4 p.m. Booking on 01-7005665, with a limited number of tickets available at the door.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 20th
Christ Church Cathedral, 8 p.m.
Anúna's Christmas concert aims to create a very special atmosphere, with treats both aural and visual and music from the Middle Ages to the present. Conducted by Michael McGlynn, with guests Clodagh Haughton (harp) and Aingeala de Burca (violin). Tickets from Claddagh Records, Cecilia Street or credit card bookings (no booking charge) on 01-6793664.
NCH, 8 p.m.
A seasonal concert by the Culwick Choral Society, John Dexter Harmony and the Rathfarnham Concert Band, with Jeananne Crowley presenting.
SATURDAY 21st DECEMBER
St Ann's Church Dawson Street 6 p.m.
Cór na nÓg and Canzona sing Colin Mawby's cantata The Heavenly Christmas Tree for chamber choir, children's choir, piano, flute, two percussionists and a narrator. Directed by Blanaid Murphy.
NCH 8 p.m.
Mayhem and madness from Dublin County Choir with The Billie Barry Children, the Royal Irish Academy of Music Wind Ensemble and Niamh Murray, soprano and presenter. Also on December 22nd.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 22nd
St Patrick's Cathedral, 3.15 p.m.
Nine Lessons and Carols. You don't need a ticket for this traditional service of readings and carols, but get in early if you want to get a seat - it's always packed to the rafters.
Christ Church Cathedral, 5 p.m.
Nine Lessons and Carols. The nave and central part of the cathedral will be reserved for ticket-holders (to apply for tickets, send SAE to AislingSheridan at the cathedral); the service will also be recorded by Lyric FM for broadcast on Christmas Day.
MONDAY DECEMBER 23rd
Pro-Cathedral, 3.30 p.m.
Carol service with the Palestrina Choir.
NCH, 3.15 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Carols by Candlelight will do, pretty much, what it says on the tin - offer a spectacular selection of "Yuletide Fayre" with performers in full 18th-century garb, and music to match by Vivaldi, Handel and Corelli.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 24th
Pro-Cathedral, 9.30 p.m.
Carols, followed at 10 p.m. by Mozart's Coronation Mass with the Palestrina Choir.
Christ Church Cathedral, midnight
Mozart's Missa Brevis with Christ Church Baroque.
CHRISTMAS DAY
St Patrick's Cathedral, 8.30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist in the Lady Chapel.
Pro-Cathedral, 11 a.m.
Mass of Christmas Day - Mozart, Coronation Mass with the Palestrina choir.
Christ Church Cathedral, 11 a.m.
Sung Eucharist with the cathedral choir.
St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, 11.15 a.m.
Festival Eucharist with Mozart's Coronation Mass Panel on Anail De Festival in Limerick.
DECEMBER 27th and 28th
Three Kings, three Wise Men, and now the three Irish Tenors all play a part in celebrating Christmas. Joined by a 47-piece orchestra, Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan sing Irish and Christmas classics to spice up the holiday season. On December 27th at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, December 28th at The Point in Dublin at 8 p.m., tel: 1890-925100.
