Photo by Benjamin Esham.
Christmas music is a marketing mess. Ever since Bing Crosby’s White Christmas album, everyone who plays an instrument or sings seems to have a Christmas album or two out for the holiday season. Other than a few variations, they can all start to sound the same when heard nonstop for a month.
But these five acts bring something new to the season. Each uses spectacular talent and startling performances to the carols you have heard time and time again. Each has its own way of making jaws drop, eyes widen, and renew your joy in Christmas music.
So if you are looking for new background music while you bake cookies, decorate your home, and prepare your holiday meals this season, hopefully you will find some new Christmas music to use as a soundtrack for your traditions.
Each of these is a true carol, that is, a song about the birth of Christ. No Santa and reindeer games in this list.
Angels We Have Heard on High – The Piano Guys
The premise is simple. Four guys playing the piano. A single piano. And playing the entire instrument.
This is not unusual for the Piano Guys, who take an unorthodox approach to using instruments and musical arrangements, in particular the piano and cello.
Not only do they work well together, switching off positions seamlessly as they play, but they weave a medley of other carols into the tapestry of music.
Little Drummer Boy – Pentatonix
Every sound in this carol is made by the five members of the a cappella group Pentatonix, aka PTX. For a song about a drum player, it’s spectacular to see what the human voice is capable of, especially five voices in concert and harmony. Sounds like there is a Christmas message in there…
Choosing this or their Carol of the Bells was a tough decision.
Celtic Carol – Lindsey Stirling
Lindsey Sterling states in her Youtube profile that she likes three things: playing the violin, dancing, and dressing up. She puts it all together – along with a medley of Christmas carols – in this performance.
Can you name all the carols as they come up in the medley?
O Holy Night – Peter Hollens
If you thought an a cappella performance was amazing, Peter Hollens does a harmonic a cappella rendition of ‘O Holy Night’ by himself. Multiple audio tracks allow him to harmonize with himself.
The First Noel – Jackie Evancho
Jackie Evancho was 11 years old when she performed this song. So, in essence, it’s a little girl’s version of “The First Noel.” I won’t spoil the surprise, you’ll just have to watch and listen to see why this made the list.
What are your favorite versions of Christmas carols? Let us know.
