Classic Style

W hile I've sung many of these familiar tunes in English, Norwegian, and Swedish at different times in various choirs myself, nothing gives me the same chill -- and even brings tears to my eyes (I'm a sentimental sap, at heart) -- as their German language versions.  If you're seeking more traditional music for the Advent and Christmas seasons, I also recommend these CD's (or their streaming or MP3 versions): Christmas in Vienna -- Vienna Boys Choir (Philips, 1991) German Christmas Music: Kammerorchester; Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach; Hartmut Haenchen, Conductor (Sony Music Special Products, 1993) Weihnachten: A German Christmas (Seattle Pro Musica, 2002) Delightful, quiet, and contemplative seasonal music.  Perfect for solo listening, family dinners, holiday gatherings, Christmas Day, or Christmas Week.  A welcome departure from the overplayed Bings, Britneys, Mariahs, and hippopotami  that otherwise clog the airwaves at this time of year. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  W ith lots of fresh snow all over the place following our first major winter storm of the season, tweed, corduroys, oxford cloth, and other assorted woolen items seemed like the way to go this morning.  Merry and bright as they say. -- Heinz-Ulrich

    M y sole concession to Christmastime kitsch, a miniature version of the infamous leg lamp from the 1983 film A Christmas Story , based on the short stories in humorist Jean Shepherd's In God We Trust.  All Others Pay Cash (1966).  My lamp occupies a place of honor (?) on my desk for but one month each year before it is carefully stored away once again after January 1st.  Hey, we've got to keep up appearances, you know. -- Heinz-Ulrich