Skip to content
    skip to navigation

    Classic FM

    Listen

    On Air Now

    Classic FM's More Music Breakfast with Tim Lihoreau 6am - 9am

    Classic FM's More Music Breakfast with Tim Lihoreau

    Now Playing

    Oboe Concerto in C minor (4) Domenico Cimarosa Download 'Oboe Concerto in C minor (4)' on iTunes

    Oboe Concerto in C minor (4) artwork
    • Playlist
    • Schedule
    • Home
    • Radio
    • News
    • Discover Music
    • Composers
    • Artists
    • Lifestyle
    • Win
    • Charity
    • Podcasts
    • Events
    • Dating
    • Follow us on:
      Follow Classic FM on Twitter
      Follow Classic FM on Facebook
      Follow Classic FM on Instagram
      Follow Classic FM on Youtube

    Artists

    Katherine Jenkins

    • Katherine Jenkins Home
    • News
    • Pictures
    • More Artists

    Katherine Jenkins: This is Christmas - an album guide

    A selection of the best Christmas songs for this festive season, performed by the reigning queen of the classical crossover charts, Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins. If you're wondering what's on the album, here's our handy track list with a guide to the music.

    1. Katherine Jenkins This is Christmas photoshoot

      1. O Come O Come Emmanuel

      Katherine kicks off her first official Christmas offering with an English translation of the Latin Hymn 'Veni Emmanuel'. It's based on the Biblical prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called Immanuel.

    2. Katherine Jenkins This is Christmas photoshoot

      2. Ding Dong Merrily On High

      A suitably jolly rendition of this classic Christmas carol, with a lively orchestration and full choir to accompany Katherine's singing.

    3. christmas manger scene

      3. Away In A Manger

      It might seem as though this timeless classic has always been around, but it was first seen in the 'Little Children's Book for Schools and Families', published in 1885.

    4. Christmas photos

      4. In Dulci Jubilo

      The original version of this Christmas hymn uses traditional Latin and German text, dating from around 1328 - this version is in English. According to folklore, the German mystic Heinrich Seuse joined the angels in a dance of worship after hearing them sing the words.

    5. Christmas photos

      5. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

      'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire' is actually only a subtitle to this popular festive tune. It was written in 1944 by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells, and recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio in 1946. The lush flowing strings give this track a iconic film music feel.

    6. Katherine Jenkins This is Christmas photoshoot

      6. Santa Baby

      A bit of light-hearted festive cheer from the Welsh songstress, who tackles this tongue-in-cheek Christmas song. Originally recorded by Joan Javits, 'Santa Baby' has been covered by a wide range of artists including Madonna, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, and The Swingle Singers.

    7. Christmas photos

      7. Deck the Halls

      Festive and pastoral all at once, this lively arrangement - complete with sleigh bells and a drone on the bassoon - breathes life into this traditional 16th Century Welsh New Year's Eve melody. The English words aren't a translation of the original Welsh text, but a new poem painting a picture of the festive season from Christmas to New Year.

    8. Christmas photos

      8. Sleep Quietly My Jesus

      Katherine sings a peaceful lullaby to Jesus in the manger, accompanied by tiptoeing plucked strings. The hymn is written by Ruth Heller.

    9. Katherine Jenkins This is Christmas photoshoot

      9. I Wish You Christmas

      "I wish you music, I wish you song / With voices echoing, Joyous and strong / I wish you church bells, ringing true and clear / I wish you Christmas, a merry Christmas / A merry Christmas to remember all the year." The musical equivalent of a warming open fire, this Christmas carol by British choral composer John Rutter is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

    10. Christmas photos

      10. Angels From The Realms Of Glory

      Continuing the mix of religious and secular on the album, Katherine interprets this iconic hymn by Henry Smart, with lyrics written by English poet James Montgomery. Katherine's soaring vocals, festive flutes and angelic harps transform this carol into a glittering glimpse of Christmas magic, whatever the time of year.

    11. Katherine Jenkins This is Christmas photoshoot

      11. Wexford Carol

      A beautiful harp, shimmering strings, and an ethereal flute all contribute to this piece's feel of other-worldliness. It was written around the 12th Century, telling the story of Jesus' birth.

    12. Katherine Jenkins This is Christmas photoshoot

      12. Hark The Herald Angels Sing

      "Hark! how all the welkin rings / Glory to the King of Kings". Luckily, Mendelssohn decided not to use the original words, written by Charles Wesley in 1739, and the carol has become a firm Christmas favourite.

    13. placido domingo katherine jenkins

      13. Come What May (featuring Placido Domingo)

      A departure from the Christmas theme, Katherine duets with the star Spanish tenor, Placido Domingo, for this heart-wrenching tune from Baz Lurhmann's 'Moulin Rouge'.

    14. Katherine Jenkins This is Christmas album cover

      14. O Holy Night

      "O night divine, O night when Christ was born!" Katherine teams up with Nathan Pacheco for beautifully reflective end to this seasonal album.

    Katherine Jenkins Music

    See more Katherine Jenkins Music

    Katherine Jenkins Home Sweet Home

    Katherine Jenkins - Home, Sweet Home

    christmas music buyers guide

    Katherine Jenkins: This is Christmas

    Katherine Jenkins and Placid Domingo The Royal Var

    Katherine Jenkins and Placido Domingo duet at Royal Variety

    Katherine Jenkins Pictures

    See more Katherine Jenkins Pictures

    Katherine Jenkins sings 'God Save the King'

    Katherine Jenkins: Welsh mezzo’s songs, movie debut, family and everything you need to know

    Bryn Terfel singing at Nobel Peace Prize

    Wales’ finest: 15 of the best Welsh musicians

    Discover Music

    Katherine Jenkins at Global Make Some Noise Evenin

    Katherine Jenkins helps raise £500K at Global's Make Some Noise Night 2014

    Katherine Jenkins Guides

    See more Katherine Jenkins Guides

    christmas music buyers guide

    Christmas Music: a buyer's guide

    Christmas

    Back to top

    Also on Classic FM

    • Listen to Global Player
    • Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM
    • Google Doodle
    • Quizzes
    • Mozart
    • Debussy
    • Music theory
    • Instruments
    • Classic FM Live
    • Brahms
    • Vivaldi
    • Bach
    • LBC News
    • Tchaikovsky
    • Chopin
    • Andrea Bocelli
    • Florence Price
    • Beethoven
    • Best classical music
    • Classic FM Requests
    • Best pianists
    • Harry Potter music
    • Saturday Night at the Movies
    • Star Wars soundtrack
    • Composer or pasta
    • Music for Studying
    • Best violinists
    • Classical music tearjerkers
    • Relaxing classical

    Useful Links

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • How To Listen
    • About Classic FM
    • Company Details
    • Cookies
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Advertise
    • Global Jobs

    Download the app

    Get it on the app store Get it on Google Play

    Follow Us

    Follow Classic FM on Twitter
    Follow Classic FM on Facebook
    Follow Classic FM on Instagram
    Follow Classic FM on Youtube
    © Global 2023
    30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA
    Privacy Manager