Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. An elf, a Christmas tree, and Baby Jesus walk into a bar…
Well, not quite, maybe, but it is kind of like the premise of Hans Pfitzner’s “Das Christ-Elflein” (“The Christmas Elf”).
This week on “The Lost Chord,” I’ll be reaching deep into the archive for an encore presentation of highlights from this neglected holiday gem, a largely forgotten link in the German fairy tale opera craze that also yielded Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.”
I’ve got plenty more to say about it, but this time of year I know you’re busy, so rather than ladle out all the kinderpunsch here, I’ll save some of it for the show.
Treat yourself to the Elf! Enjoy highlights from Hans Pfitzner’s fairy tale opera “Das Christ-Elflein.” That’s “Fairy Christmas,” on “The Lost Chord,” now in syndication on KWAX, the radio station of the University of Oregon!
Clip and save the start times for all three of my recorded shows:
PICTURE PERFECT, the movie music show – Friday at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST
SWEETNESS AND LIGHT, the light music program – ALL NEW! – Saturday at 11:00 AM EST/8:00 AM PST
THE LOST CHORD, unusual and neglected rep – Saturday at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST
Stream them, wherever you are, at the link!
IMAGE: A contemporaneous German Christmas card, similarly mixing sacred and secular traditions