My wife and I lived in Germany for many years and attended dozens of holiday performances there. But living elsewhere doesn’t mean you can’t take part. Thanks to streaming services and the abundance of recordings in every genre, geography is no longer a real barrier. Which allows me to share a seasonal favorite: a piece by Max Bruch called “In der Christnacht” (On Christmas Night), as performed by RIAS-Kammerchor.

A vocal ensemble founded in Berlin after the Second World War, RIAS (“Radio in the American Sector”) has since gained a reputation as one of Europe’s best chamber choirs. I have yet to hear a RIAS program I didn’t like, but Bruch’s short piece (it’s less than five minutes) is a stand-out. Its text grasps the heart of the festivities, rather than their trappings or souped-up nostalgia for the perfect childhood that wasn’t. 

With its tone of reverent awe, “In der Christnacht” captures the essence of Holy Night without mistletoe or even shepherds and kings.