Each Saturday evening at 8:00 on WHRO-FM, ‘This Just In’ brings you three hours of newly released classical recordings. This week’s broadcast marks the final program of the year, and host Raymond Jones closes 2025 with a selection firmly rooted in the Christmas season, drawing on new albums that reflect holiday traditions from around the world.
At the center of the program is Bach’s Cello Suite No. 5, performed by cellist Inbal Megiddo as part of her complete traversal of the six suites. Released earlier this fall on the Atoll label, Megiddo’s cycle has been praised for its strong narrative arc. She associates the Fifth Suite, with its darker key and inward character, with a moment of deep reflection, a fitting choice for the closing days of the year.
Seasonal music takes on a festive brilliance with “Frohe Weihnachten!”, a recent release featuring the Berlin Philharmonic Brass. Traditional carols such as “Stille Nacht” and “O Tannenbaum” are presented with the ensemble’s trademark warmth and polish. The holiday spirit continues with selections from the 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic, whose rich, sonorous sound brings familiar Christmas melodies a distinctive depth.
Also from the heart of Europe comes “Christmas from the Austrian Alps,” released by Capriccio and performed by the Kaiser-Stoandl Family Ensemble. Rooted in regional folk traditions, this recording offers an authentic glimpse into Christmas music as it has been passed down through generations in rural Austria.
A different seasonal perspective arrives from South America with “Reisado do Pastoreio,” the final movement of Oscar Lorenzo Fernández’s suite “Batuque.” Performed by the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra under Fabio Mechetti, the piece evokes Epiphany celebrations in Brazil, recalling Catholic Christmas traditions that extend beyond December 25.
More Christmas music with horn virtuoso Felix Klieser and his album “A Golden Christmas,” recorded with the Wiener Concert-Verein, and released by Berlin Classics. And Chamber music from the season comes courtesy of the Miró Quartet, featured in Pentatone’s recent release “Hearth.”
The program concludes with a more contemplative turn: Herbert Howells’ “Requiem,” performed by the ensemble Tenebrae in a recent Signum release.
Close out the year with new Christmas releases and seasonal discoveries on “This Just In,” Saturday evening at 8:00 on WHRO-FM 90.3, and also online through our Media Player or your Smart Device.
