New Magic Of Christmas Conductor Visits AJ & Nikki In The Morning

The Portland Symphony Orchestra has a new conductor this year for Magic of Christmas. And this week on the HOM Morning SHow, Eckart Preu visited stopped by our studios to chat with Nikki and I about the upcoming performances.

Eckart Preu will lead the musicians, as they celebrate 40 years of the Magic of Christmas. It has become a holiday tradition in Portland, helping to spread Christmas cheer each year with several shows at the Merrill Auditorium. They'll be joined by guest bass-baritone and narrator Kevin Deas, and the Magic of Christmas Chorus, led by Chorus Master Dr. Nicolas Alberto Dosman and Assistant Concertmaster Amy Sims.

Here's a look at the program for the show:

ANDERSON: A Christmas Festival

SCHMELZER: Sonata per chiesa et camera

SCHUBERT/LUCK: Ave Maria

GABRIELI: Canzon septimi toni no. 2

LEONTOVYCH: Carol of the Bells

VIVALDI: “Winter” from The Four Seasons, op. 8

HANDEL: “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah

LUCAS RICHMAN: Hanukkah Festival Overture

JOHN WILLIAMS: “Somewhere in My Memory” and “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!” from Home Alone

RANDOL ALAN BASS: The Night Before Christmas

DEBNEY/PESAVENTO: Suite from Elf

HAGUE/RILEY: You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

HAYMAN: Here We Come A-Caroling

ANDERSON: Sleigh Ride

FINNEGAN: Christmas Sing-a-Long

Listen to AJ & Nikki's interview with Eckart below. And for more information on the Magic of Christmas, visit portlandsymphony.org