Join host Stefania Passamonte for a magical Christmas and New Year Special edition of Future Classic Women Awards, the fifth in the series celebrating amazing new female artists in classical music. Recorded on a snowy Monday in London, this festive episode features an enchanting lineup of classical and crossover artists performing beloved Christmas carols and original holiday compositions. From Aliki’s stunning rendition of ‘White Christmas’ to Joanna Forest’s breathtaking ‘O Holy Night,’ this episode captures the spirit of the season through classical excellence.
This special celebration showcases award winners, finalists, and returning guest performers from previous editions, including Ellen Williams (third edition winner), Joanna Forest (first and third edition winner), and instrumentalists like Matilda Lloyd on trumpet and Belle Chan at the piano. The episode blends traditional Christmas carols with contemporary classical crossover pieces, including a unique performance of a Tudor broadside ballad by Petra Ajuchava and Jay Britton that carries a timeless message of unity and togetherness—perfect for the holiday season.
Whether you’re seeking traditional festive cheer or innovative classical interpretations of holiday classics, this Christmas special delivers an array of performances that celebrate the artistry and talent of classical women musicians. Perfect listening for wrapping up 2022 and ringing in the new year with elegance and joy.
Main Topics
A festive celebration of female classical artists performing Christmas and New Year special performances on a snowy London morning
Showcases previous winners and finalists from Future Classic Women Awards including Joanna Forest, Ellen Williams, and Aliki
Features diverse classical performances including sopranos, pianists, violinists, and experimental classical musicians
Explores traditional Christmas carols alongside modern classical crossover and original holiday compositions
Highlights the historical significance of broadside ballads as narrative songs with social messages performed by Petra Ajuchava
Includes chart-topping singles and iTunes classical chart hits from award-winning female classical artists
Demonstrates how classical music traditions continue to evolve through the artistry of new female performers in the genre
Full TranscriptHello and welcome to the fifth edition of Future Classic Women Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on women's radio stat...▼
Hello and welcome to the fifth edition of Future Classic Women Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on women's radio station the program where we search for the most amazing new female artists on the classical panorama. Today, Monday we woke up to a wonderful white Christmas. It is all white in London, has been snowing everywhere and although of course it's not fun to drive in the snow, we have to say we love it. And this there is nothing that makes it more Christmassy than the snow coming down. So we're gonna start our very special episode of the Future Classic Women Awards dedicated to Christmas with nothing else but a leaky with white Christmas. I'm dreaming of a Christmas Just like the woods I used to know where the treetops glisten and children listen to his slaves in the snow. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write May your days be be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be white. Satan. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write May your days be merry and broad heart and may all your Christmas. And this was a leaky white Christmas and we couldn't start any better since there's no coming down here in London. Now the next song is gonna be the latest single by Ellen Williams who was the winner of our third edition of Future Classic Women Awards with It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's the most wonderful time of the year with the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you they are good cheer it's the most wonderful time of the year. It's the happ half is on the road with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when friends come to call. It's the happy happy. There'll be parties for hosting marshmallows for toasting and caroling out in the snow they'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long long ago. It's the most wonderful time of the year. There'll be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are into the most wonderful time of the year. It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's the most wonderful time. Yes, the most wonderful time. It's the most wonderful time of the year. And this was Ellen Williams with It's the most wonderful time of the year. How wonderful. This is the Christmas special of feature Classic Women awards on women's radio station. And our next performer and nominees for future Classic Women awards is Petra Ajuchava. She's performing with us With Jay Britton from the Tudor songbook, the Christmas broadside ballad. Father in one. Of the. When Christmas time comes in, I would love. 12 days of the year a child would carry. And this was Petra Aduchova and Jay Britton from the tutor song book with Christmas broadside ballad. Now, these broadside ballads, they were narrative songs written in verses and printed and intended to be sung in public places. And they were themed on popular topics and often delivered as a social message to the performers and the listeners. So this Christmas broadside ballad was exactly the same, encouraging everyone to put their difference and grievance aside to sing and dance and be married together. Now the next song on future classic women awards Christmas special 2022 is gonna be Joanna McGowan with Alleluia. I've heard about this baby boy who's come to earth to bring us joy and I just want to sing this song to you. It goes like this through the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift with every breath I'm singing alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia. A couple came to Bethlehem expecting child they searched in to find a place for you Coming soon there was no room for for them to stay so in a manger filled with hay God's only son was born. Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah. The shepherds left their flocks by night to see the baby wrapped in light. A host of angels led them all to you. It was just a angel as the angel said, you find him in a manger bed Emmanuel and Savior Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah. A star shone brighter the east to Bethlehem the wise men three came many miles and journeyed long for you and to the place at which you are the frankincense and golden law they gave to you and cried out Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia. I know you came to rescue me the baby boy would grow to be a man and one day die for me and you My sins were dried the nails in you that rocket cross with my cross too still every breath you drew was hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah. Hallelujah Hallelujah. And this was Joanna McGowan performing Hallelujah. Now there is nothing like Christmas song to make us to put us in the spirit of Christmas and the festivities that are gonna coming up our way and to finish this wonderful 2022. So the next so song that is, you know, the most beautiful Christmasy carol we can think of. It's going to perform there but nobody else but the UK number one classical album selling soprano. Winner of our first and third edition of future classic women awards, Joanna Forest with O Holy night. O holy night the stars are brightly shining it is the night of our dear savior's birth. Long legal in the. Soul f. The weary world rejoices the yonder breaks a new and glory fall on your knees O heaven night when Christ was born. Truly he taught us to love one another his lore is love and his gospel is peace. Chains he shall break Armis la is our brother and in his name all oppression shall cease Sweet hymns of joy Great the glorious reign so we let all within us praise his glory Name Christ is the Lord his name forever Praise. Morning. O he. And this was Joanna Forest or Holy night composed by Olga Thomas and performed in duet with Daniel Coek. This was the top 10 iTunes classic chart hit in 2018. Now the next one is an amazing composer, experimental pianist guest of future Classic women awards several times, Belle Chan performing her own version of Deck the old. Sat. Sam. And this was Belstan performing her own version of take the old at the piano. Now the next guest of future classic women awards Christmas Special 2022 are four stunning Sopranos bringing us a very sleek and breathtaking so set of chart topping covers and they were the finalist finalists of future classic women awards first edition. I'm talking of Ida Girls London performing God rest you God rest ye Mary. Gentlemen, let nothing you dismay For Jesus Christ our Savior was born upon this day to save us all all from Satan's power when we were gone astray O tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy the heavenly father, a blessed angel came and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the sin same O that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy the shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind and left their flocks a feeding in tempest, storm and wind and went to Bethlehem straightway this blessed babe to fight O tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy Sam. But when to Bethlehem they came Whereat this infant lay they found him in a manger where oxen fed on him his mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray O tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy. Comfort and joy all time. And this was God Rest you performed by Ida Girls London. Now the next one is a violinist called Philippa Maugham. She was a finalist as well of a feature Classic Men Awards second edition actually. And she's playing us Bach a sonata in E major from the Christmas gala Dwarf Constella. So nothing is more beautiful than Bach really when there's no is coming down. So this was Philippa Mo with Bach Sonata in A Major. Next performer is Natasha Barbieri. She is the editor of Classical Crossover magazine, finalist of future Classic Women Awards the third edition. She's an amazing soprano singer and she's performing for us. One Little Boy featuring Joshua Goins. One little boy is just a dot in all the human race One little boy is just a spark upon this planet's face and when he's no longer there A billion take the place of one little boy. But one little boy can sing a song and have a world of fun One little boy can grow up strong and leap and jump and run and you'd want to see him grow if he could be your son that one little boy. If he passes on after he's gone there's one less in the nation Let him rest in peace and he will decrease the surplus population that's what you thought not long ago that's what you thought but now, now you know that one little boy who cannot walk is not a broken toy One little boy can laugh and talk and fill home with joy and joy Else could take the place of that one little boy that one. Little boy. One Little Boy performed by Natasha Barbieri with Joshua Goins. Now the next performer it's a finalist for in the instrumental section of future classic when awards first very first edition. So BBC Young musician of the year trumpet player Matilda Lloyds performing have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Too beautiful. This was have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with Matilda Lloyd at the trumpet. Now we go back to Welsh soprano Ellen Williams performing another top charting tracks number one of the official Ignition classical charts. The single in collaboration with BAFTA winning composer Mark Thomas Christmas Waltz SA. Candles gleaming inside Painted candy canes on the tree Santa's on his way his field his sleigh with ease Things for you and for me it's not my of you when the world falls in love Every song you hear seems to say Merry Christmas May or new dreams come true. On this song of mine in three quarter time wishes you divorce the same thing too. Sam. Merry Christmas May your needed dreams come true. And this song of mine in three quarter time wishes you and yours the same Timothy too. So this was Ellen Williams performing Christmas Waltz composed by Mark Thomas. Now we go back to some piano with Bel Chan performing her very own rework of of Jingle Bells. Sa. Sam. Sa. Sam. The next performer is again our winner of a future class gaming awards Aliki performing Lettuce Know. Oh the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful and since we've no place to go Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow it doesn't show signs of stopping and I bought some corn for popping the lights are turned red and low Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow when we finally kiss good night How I hate going out in the storm but if he really holds me tight all the way home I'll be warm the fire is slowly dying and my dear, we're still goodbyeing as long as you love me so Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, let it. When we finally kiss good night How I hate going out in the storm but if you really hold me tight all the way home I'll be warm the fire is slowly dying and my dear we're still goodbyeing as long as you love me so Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. This was Let It Snow performed by the wonderful Aliki from her very special album White Christmas. And now we're gonna listen to Ellen Williams with dancing with the angels. Of this evening Angels come to visit me all the light on to magic bringing underneath the Christmas tree For morrow joy and bounded love and laughter. Time forgiving and for sharing all around the. For my loved one. The heart attack with the angels all around the Christmas tree. Hear their voices Voice keeps on living in your heart by the grace of songs Angelic song from many wounds of God Let her glow with. All around the Christmas tree All together round the Christmas tree. So this was Ellen Williams dancing with the angels. And now we're gonna finish our very special future classic Women Awards with Santa's Baby performed by Aliki. Santa baby just slip a sable under the tree for me then and off a good girl Santa baby so hurry down the chimney tonight. Santa Baby 54 convertible to light blue I'll wait up for you dear Santa baby so hurry down the chimney tonight. Think of all the fun I've made Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed Next year I could be just as good if you check off my Christmas leaves Santa baby I want a yacht and really that's not a lot Been an angel all years and a baby so hurry down the chimney tonight. Santa honey one little thing I really do need the deed to a platinum mine Santa, Santa baby so hurry down the chimney tonight. Santa cutie and fill my stocking with a duplex and checks Sign your ex on the line Santa cutie and hurry down the chimney tonight. Come and trim my Christmas tree With some decorations for Tiffany I really do believe in you see if you believe in me Santa baby forgotten mention one little thing A ring I don't mean on the phone Santa baby so hurry down the chimney tonight Hurry down the chimney tonight Hurry down the chimney Hurry tonight so we finish our very special Christmas and New Year episode of Future Class Women Awards with Aliki Santa's Babies. So I have I hope you will be good during this Christmas holidays and this episode will be available and on air every day at 10am and 10pm London time until 15 January 2020. If you have any question that you would like to ask of our guest or nomination of our Future Classical Women Awards, please email presenters@womensradiostation.com or tweet us @womensradiostn. And if you would like to listen to the previous programs and you can head to my presenters page, stefaniapasamonte Future Classic Women Awards on womensradiostation.com Big thanks to all our guests for the beautiful music played today and our warmest wishes of a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Women's radio station. Happy Holidays. Sa.
