15 Christmas Music Essentials

It's time to make a few notes, please, as Jeremy Pound sets out his musical must-have list for the festive season that lies ahead

- By Jeremy Pound

Did you know that this month marks 50 years since Slade released 'Merry Christmas Everybody', instantly carving their own little place in our collective festive psyches? Half a century on, the song that singer Noddy Holder has referred to as his 'pension scheme' remains a mainstay on the radio and in shops, pubs and parties from the beginning of December onwards - so much so that some say Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if it wasn't there. However, much as we at BBC Music enjoy joining Noddy and crew in a raucous sing-along about hanging stockings on the wall and fairies keeping Santa sober for a day, we crave more musical satisfaction at Christmas than just that. A lot more. So, what ear-tickling treats could we as classical music lovers not imagine the festive season without? Here are our 15 Christmas Music Essentials...

1 O come now...

Though the Advent season runs for around four weeks up to Christmas Eve, Advent music's moment in the limelight tends to get squeezed into the space of just a few days. A shame, as the themes of darkness to light and the coming of Christ and have inspired some gems over the centuries from the likes of Byrd's Ecce virgo concipiet (1605) to James MacMillan's contemporary Advent Antiphon - while big-boned hymns such as O come, O come, Emmanuel and Lo! He comes with clouds descending stir the soul like few others. So, set the season in motion by heading to an Advent carol service near you or, alternatively, tune into the annual Radio 3 broadcast from St John's College, Cambridge on 3 December.

2 Get a Handel on it