Founder and host of Folkstage since 1999, Rich Warren gives his final sign-off from WFMT, concluding an iconic career in radio that spans seven decades.
A New Year’s Eve Folkstage Farewell to Rich Warren

A Polish Christmas with Lira Ensemble

An introduction to Kolęda, or “grand” carols, and “shepherd” carols, plus Witold Lutosławski’s Twenty Polish Carols performed by the Lira Ensemble.
Playlist
All performances by the Lira Ensemble.
1. Bóg się rodzi
2. Wśród nocnej ciszy
3. Mizerna cicha
4. Przybieżeli do Betlejem
5. Bracia, patrzcie jeno
6. Jam jest dudka
Katarzyna Dorula, soprano
7. A cóż z tą Dzieciną
8. O gwiazdo Betlejemska
9. Przystąpmy do szopy
10. Lulajże, Jezuniu
Judith Partipilo Marth, soprano
11. Anioł pasterzom mówił (arr. Witold Lutosławski)
12. My też, pastuszkowie (arr. Lutosławski)
13. Hola, hola pasterze (arr. Lutosławski)
14. Three Carols in Highlander Style
Susan Smentek and Judith Partipilo Marth, sopranos
15. Gdy się Chrystus rodzi
The Rose Ensemble in Concert: Slavic Wonders

Holiday gems from the libraries and monasteries of Krakow, Prague, and Moscow. Hosted by Jordan Sramek, founder of The Rose Ensemble, and Minnesota Public Radio’s Thomas Crann.
WDR Radio Choir and Orchestra: Peace on Earth

A holiday pops concert from the WDR Radio Choir and Orchestra with tenor Paul Phoenix, conducted by Fawzi Haimor.
Ballad of the Brown King and Other Music for Christmas by Black Composers

Dr. Louise Toppin hosts this special hourlong exploration of Christmas repertoire by Black composers, including Margaret Bonds’s The Ballad of the Brown King.
Music of the Baroque Holiday Choral & Brass Concert

The 2021 Music of the Baroque Holiday Choral and Brass concert conducted by Andrew Megill.
BBC Singers 2022 Christmas Concert

Owain Park conducts a program of music for the season predominantly composed by women, including Hildegard von Bingen, Kerensa Briggs, and Cecilia McDowall.
Playlist
Judith Weir: Drop down ye heavens
William Byrd: Rorate caeli
Margaret Rizza / St Thomas Music Group: Ave Generosa
Joanna Marsh: In Winter’s House
Bob Chilcott: The Pear-Tree Carol
Kerensa Briggs: A tender shoot
Judith Bingham: O Oriens (BBC Commission, world premiere)
Hildegard von Bingen: O Frondens virga
Owain Park: O magnum mysterium
Ēriks Ešenvalds: O Emmanuel
Alison Willis: There is no rose
Cecilia McDowall: Now may we singen
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio from Radio France

A performance of the first three cantatas of the Christmas Oratorio, recorded live from Radio France, Paris on December 15, 2022.
With Heart and Voice | A Christmas Celebration

Sacred organ and choral music for the day.