The Boston Pops Orchestra, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, John Williams - We Wish You A Merry Christmas (1990)

This is an excellent collection of traditional Christmas music by John Williams and The Boston Pops. There are three extended medleys that weave together familiar melodies, while the "Twelve Days of Christmas" and "Carol of the Drum" are the only popular selections given their full treatment. The inclusion of Charles Ives' "A Christmas Carol" offers an intelligent variety to this otherwise mainstream session. Despite the popular appeal of the selections, this is not background music. The invigorating performances by the orchestra and the Tanglewood Chorus demand careful listening, as there is so much happening in each arrangement. Intelligent and thoughtful Christmas music that will appeal especially to classical music fans.