Each week, an Observer writer offers a playlist of topical and seasonal favourites. This week: classical music critic Fiona Maddocks on the best songs for midwinter.
Listen to The Observer’s playlist of the week here.
Ólafur Arnalds and Voces8, For Now I am Winter
The darkness of midwinter is etched into the mind of Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds. At the time of the solstice, his homeland has barely five hours of light. For Now I Am Winter creates a pure aural landscape, slow and quiet, as if deep snow has fallen.
Vashti Bunyan, Winter Is Blue
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This intimate song captures the hibernation of mind, body and soul: “Winter is blue / Living is gone / Some are just sleeping / In spring they’ll go on.” Seasonal sadness has been a creative touchstone for songwriters going back to Schubert. For full immersion, try his song cycle Winterreise (Winter’s Journey).
Tchaikovsky and Mikhail Pletnev, December Yuletide
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is only the most famous to set the year to music. Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons digs deeper: character sketches for piano of all 12 months. December Yuletide, full of waltzes, leaps and twirls, has the feel of his winter-favourite ballet, The Nutcracker, in miniature.
Anonymous 4, Grene Growith the Holy
In Celtic mythology, seasons were measured by a calendar of trees. The Holly King, with his dark leaves and bright berries, ruled for half the year: from summer until winter solstice. Ivy symbolised hope for the return of spring. This Tudor carol is attributed to Henry VIII – one of his more attractive deeds.
Fats Waller, Winter Weather
If Fats Waller’s insouciance can’t melt icy hearts, nothing will. “I love the winter weather, so the two of us can get together,” he sings, and you can hear his naughty delight. The jazz pianist (1904-1943), dead at 39, still counts as one of the all-time greats. Listen to those magical, freewheeling piano trills and smile.
Illustration by Charlotte Durance