You Have to Be Careful with Treacle #517

This week: We temper our holiday cheer with a dose of morbidity — as well as a few quiet offerings that don't fit either category. Among the offerings, a dark tale from Hans Christian Andersen; music from the Orpheus Symphony Orchestra; memories of childhood from Irish writer Nuala O'Faolain; and New Year's resolutions from Jonathan Katz.

Christmas Records
Heard at the corner of Park Avenue and 50th Street, in front of St. Bartholomew's Church in Manhattan... an attempt to break the record for number of Christmas carolers singing at one time. Emphasis on "attempt." Produced by Matt Lieber.

Christmas Dinner at the O'Faolain's
When the food is good, it seems that's all anyone can talk about during a holiday meal. And when the food is bad? In writer Nuala O'Faolain's experience, all hell breaks loose. Produced by Jill Krauss.

Musical Refuge, Part I
We take refuge from all the holiday mayhem by dropping in on the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, performing at Trinity Church on Broadway, as part of the church's "Concerts at One" series. They're playing a work by Johannes Brahms, rarely presented in this form: his serenade in D major, Opus 11, arranged for a small ensemble of strings and winds. Here are the final two of six movements. Produced by Matt Lieber.

The Week Before Christmas
Harsh experiences have been known to give rise to outbursts of creative expression. Next Big Thing producer Amanda Aronczyk, accompanied by a chorus of neighbors, shares a Christmas poem that arose from the efforts of a very determined collection of thieves.

That Time of Year Again
The Next Big Thing looks forward, and back, with a little help from our friends. Produced by Julie Subrin.

The Dying Child
A 1913 recording of a poem written by Hans Christian Andersen, set to music by Rudolph Bay. Sung here, in Danish, by Jonna Neiiendam.

A Grim Fairy Tale
Hans Christian Andersen's famous tale makes for uneasy holiday reading. Next Big Thing producer Pejk Malinovski (who, like Andersen, hails from Denmark) offers this radio rendition.

Musical Refuge, Part II
Another chance to escape from the noise of the holidays. We return to Trinity Church to hear an exercise in musical delayed gratification: Dvorak's Nocturne in D major, Opus 40, performed by players from the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

WNYC archives id: 42363