Did you know that many of the Christmas carols and holiday songs still sung today originated during Victorian times? Back in the days before radio, TV, or Internet, the Victorians loved music and revived old medieval English carols as part of their holiday celebrations. The custom of caroling door-to-door however, began with something called the “waits,” an ancient tradition of going house to house singing in exchange for food. There’s no doubt that in modern times music still plays a big part in the holiday traditions, but if a group traveled door-to-door here in Beijing singing songs to our neighbors with the hope of spreading good cheer, there’s a good chance our neighbors would think we’re nuts. Though caroling might not be the norm in China’s capital, there’s still choir and concert options at hotels and concert halls. Catch the happenings this weekend below.
The German Choir Beijing, (Deutsche Kantorei Peking), the Madrigal Choir Beijing, and the Bach Orchestra will team up this weekend to perform the Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach at the Canadian International School of Beijing and the Kempinski Hotel Beijing tomorrow and Sunday, respectively.
Email deutsche.kantorei.peking@gmail.com for ticket reservation or to find out more.
Source: historicalharmonies.org
