Christmas In July 2026-Part 13

Lucky number thirteen today! I've got an extra long batch of tracks for you today, including what I think is our only two-parter of the month, a spoken-word story about wintertime. There's also an almost-side-long version of the entire Babes In Toyland operetta as arranged for the kiddies and a long ballet selection dedicated to our favorite season. So settle back and clear your calendar, you're going to need some time to listen to this one.

 1. Yevgeny Svetlanov-Philharmonia Orchestra-Scene 1: Winter, Introduction-Four Variations (Frost, Ice, Hail And Snow) & Coda (Glazunov: The Seasons, 1978)

First up is the ballet I mentioned. There were no bands on the LP dividing one track from the next, so I had to listen to the music closely and decide for myself when winter ended and spring began. After I'd done that, I went back and compared the earlier time I'd shared this track with you, and I appear to have divided the seasons in a different spot, by about 3 minutes! This version is longer than that one, but I have no idea which is correct. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

2. Billy Mure, Jack Grimes And Cast-Babes In Toyland (The Wizard Of Oz/Babes In Toyland, 1963)

As I mentioned above, the entire Victor Herbert operetta, only arranged for the kiddies. No idea how it compares to the original, but it sounds nice.

3. Red Garter-Winter Wonderland (Santa's Musical Grog)

Another fun track from Red and the gang. Wish I knew more about these folks.

4. Stanley Black Conducting The London Festival Orchestra AKA The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra-Russian Dance (Trepak) (Tchaikovsky-Nutcracker Suite/Serenade For Strings, 1967)

More Nutcracker goodness from Phase 4 stalwart Stanley Black.

5. Unknown Artist-Snows Are Falling (AKA Snow Is Falling On Mauna Kea) (Evenings In Paradise)

Our track from the headlining LP shown up at the top of the post. Anything on 49th State label is going to be interesting so I was very excited to be able to bring you something Christmas-adjacent. Shame they couldn't bother to ID the artist anywhere on the album.

6. Ed Begley-Snow-Bound (Beginning) (The Barefoot Boy And Other Poems By John Greenleaf Whittier Including Snow-Bound, Complete)
7. Ed Begley-Snow-Bound (Conclusion) (The Barefoot Boy And Other Poems By John Greenleaf Whittier Including Snow-Bound, Complete)

A winter story in two parts for you. I don't know much about Ed Begley, but I can remember when his son was a fixture on TV. He made a but of a name for himself later by driving an electric car long before such a thing went mainstream.

8. Jenson Publications-Rudolph's Christmas Overture (Jenson Publications Presents...Warner Bros. Finest For Concert Band, 1983)

The first of our two demo tracks for the day. I hope Johnny Marks got his proper payment for the use of Rudolph in this one.

9. Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation-Alleluia (Savor The Flavors For Chorale Ensemble 1977-1978, 1977)

Demo track number two, something much more sacred than Rudolph.

10. Stuttgart Festival Band-William Harrison, Conductor-O Come, All Ye Faithful (Have Band Will Travel-Music Minus One Trombone)

And coming in last is a track you're supposed to play along with on your trombone. Good luck with that. This brings day 13 to it's rightful end. Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the music! 

MEGA 

Update: I've re-edit the Glazunov track, should end in the right place now. Thanks, Buster!