Join Aspen Public Radio as we ring in the holiday season with you. Great stories, music, and more are featured in our holiday programs that share in the traditions of Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas, and New Year's!
Hanukkah, Tuesday, December 16th:
“Hanukkah Lights” [8 – 9 pm]
A perennial NPR favorite with new Hanukkah stories written by acclaimed authors Debra Ginsberg, Anne Burt, Lesley Hyatt, Andrew Borowitz, and Theodore Bikel. Hear a wide variety of stories perfect for the holiday --- one story is funny and crisp, another historical, and there's one with a multicultural theme. Also included is a story about the supernatural and one that ends with the best last line for any Hanukkah show, "Love is the only miracle." Hosted by Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.
“Chanukah in Story and Song with Leonard Nimoy” [ 9–10 pm]
This delightfully engaging program presents 25 eclectic selections, from the Ladino songs of the Spanish Jews and Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe to modern Israeli tunes and the ensemble's original version of "I Have a Little Dreydle." The ensemble performs a cappella as well as with instrumental accompaniment. The narration, written by Rabbi Gerald Skolnik, sheds new light on the holiday's customs and rituals. Listeners of all ages will hum the tunes after enjoying this wonderful program.
“Candles Burning Brightly 2014” [10–11 pm]
Join hosts Mindy Ratner and Bill Morelock for a one-hour celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. There's plenty of music from Jewish communities around the world, plus an exploration of holiday traditions, and a special stories.
Solstice, Sunday, December 21st:
“Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration” [8–10 pm]
Seven-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, composer and bandleader Paul Winter returns with one of NYC's most beloved, family friendly holiday events Paul Winter's Winter Solstice Celebration, in the world's largest cathedral, St. John the Divine. This year's event features the vibrant and exciting sounds of Puerto Rico with special guest vocalist Danny Rivera. Now in its 35th celebrated year, Paul Winter's Winter Solstice Celebration is an immersive holiday spectacular featuring the 10-person Paul Winter Consort, dynamic gospel singer Theresa Thomason, along with Puerto Rican bomba drummers and singers, as well as the 25 dancers and drummers of the Forces of Nature Theatre who will perform new choreography inspired by the rhythms and percussion of Puerto Rico.
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th:
“Neil Jung’s Jazzy Christmas” [8-11 pm]
Join Aspen Public Radio’s Jazz host Neil Jung as he brings you swinging tunes to make your Christmas Eve sparkle bright!
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th:
“Christmas with the Morehouse Spelman Glee Clubs” [ 9–10 am/9-10pm]
One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges. Two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation get together to present a spine-tingling concert program. It’s a joyous celebration of the schools’ tradition of singing excellence, with their trademark mixture of spirituals and carols.
“Chanticleer Christmas 2014” [12–1 pm/10-11pm]
A Chanticleer Christmas is American Public Media's one-hour celebration of the season as told through the glorious voices of Chanticleer, the 12-voice San Francisco-based men's choir.
”A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” [1–3 pm]
Hosted by Michael Barone, this is a music and spoken-word broadcast from the chapel of King's College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King's College Choir performs the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of Biblical readings and music.
“Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites” [3–4 pm]
This program features stories from the NPR archives that touch on the meaning of Christmas. David Sedaris, Bailey White, John Henry Faulk- these and other NPR voices, past and present, tell stories of the season. Hosted by Lynn Neary.
Featured Stories:
Dad 'n' Sam (Jay Allison)
Homeless Christmas (Lee Stringer)
Christmas Morning, 1949 (Sylvia Seymour Akin/Paul Auster)
Low-Glamour Christmas Party (Bailey White)
Doing it in the Closet (John McIlwraith)
Christopher (Jay O'Callahan)
Ode to Christmas (Chuck Kramer)
Santaland Diaries (David Sedaris)
Modern Day Joseph and Mary (Scott Simon)
John Henry Faulk's Christmas Story (John Henry Faulk)
“All Songs Considered” [7–8 pm]
It’s a holiday themed show of “All Songs Considered” – the NPR music program.
"Check 1, 2 - Jimmy Ibbotson & Bobby Mason" [8-9pm]
Aspen musical legends share songs, stories and holiday songs with a live audience. Recorded earlier this month at Aspen Public Radio.
New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31st:
“Toast of the Nation” [live; 7pm–2 am, Wed., Dec. 31, 2014 into Jan. 1, 2015]
It’s NPR’s New Year’s Eve special featuring musical guests, conversations from around the world, and more!
New Year’s Day, January 1st:
“New Year’s Day from Vienna” [1–3 pm]
It has long been a Philharmonic tradition at the New Year to present a program consisting of the lively and at the same time nostalgic music from the vast repertoire of the Johann Strauss family and its contemporaries. These concerts not only delight the audiences in the Musikverein in Vienna, but also enjoy great international popularity through a worldwide broadcast.
