Williams' Christmas Carols

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

It vaguely seems like we've done this before, but I couldn't find a thread or poll about it from the last several years, so here we go. Which of Williams' original songs from the Home Alone scores is your favorite? The warm, sentimental "Somewhere in My Memory," the reverent, mysterious "Star of Bethlehem," the melancholy "Christmas Star," or the jubilant "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas"? I think all are wonderful, both in song and orchestral form. My favorite used to be "Somewhere in My Memory," but over the past couple years I've begun to develop a greater appreciation for "Star of Bethlehem"; it has a very distinct sound, and is woven masterfully through both scores, while functioning just as well as a straightforward carol (this thread has a nice discussion of it). I also think "Christmas Star" is pretty unique, using interesting chords and harmonies that I don't seem to hear often. So, what are everyone's favorites?

[David Coscina 3]

It vaguely seems like we've done this before, but I couldn't find a thread or poll about it from the last several years, so here we go. Which of Williams' original songs from the Home Alone scores is your favorite? The warm, sentimental "Somewhere in My Memory," the reverent, mysterious "Star of Bethlehem," the melancholy "Christmas Star," or the jubilant "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas"? I think all are wonderful, both in song and orchestral form. My favorite used to be "Somewhere in My Memory," but over the past couple years I've begun to develop a greater appreciation for "Star of Bethlehem"; it has a very distinct sound, and is woven masterfully through both scores, while functioning just as well as a straightforward carol (this thread has a nice discussion of it). I also think "Christmas Star" is pretty unique, using interesting chords and harmonies that I don't seem to hear often. So, what are everyone's favorites?

Yeah that is my fave of Williams. He's using harmonic extensions like major 9ths which sounds full and beautiful. Christmas Star is far nicer than his other xmas fare IMO.

[Quintus 5,399]

The first option warms my heart the most.

[Joe Brausam 214]

I enjoy Christmas Star and Star of Bethlehem the most, but my vote went to Bethlehem. The melody and chord structure gives it such a transcendent quality, it really is a great piece.

[Luke Skywalker 1,792]

i like all four of them

[Quintus 5,399]

Is it just me, or was Jerry Goldsmith also freaking awesome at Christmas music? I'm thinking Gremlins.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

They're all great but the main theme takes the edge for me. My favorite rendition of any of those themes is the, naturally, unreleased cue when Kevin says goodnight from the first movie ("Somewhere in my Memory").

[Henry B 50]

It vaguely seems like we've done this before, but I couldn't find a thread or poll about it from the last several years, so here we go. Which of Williams' original songs from the Home Alone scores is your favorite? The warm, sentimental "Somewhere in My Memory," the reverent, mysterious "Star of Bethlehem," the melancholy "Christmas Star," or the jubilant "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas"? I think all are wonderful, both in song and orchestral form. My favorite used to be "Somewhere in My Memory," but over the past couple years I've begun to develop a greater appreciation for "Star of Bethlehem"; it has a very distinct sound, and is woven masterfully through both scores, while functioning just as well as a straightforward carol (this thread has a nice discussion of it). I also think "Christmas Star" is pretty unique, using interesting chords and harmonies that I don't seem to hear often. So, what are everyone's favorites?

Yeah that is my fave of Williams. He's using harmonic extensions like major 9ths which sounds full and beautiful. Christmas Star is far nicer than his other xmas fare IMO.

Suave, jazzy color tones for New York City. Very appropriate, though it's not my favorite carol.

[Marian Schedenig 8,159]

Star of Bethlehem, by far. Somewhere... is lovely, too. And I love the orchestral snippets of Merry Christmas throughout the score, but the song itself sounds rather hysteric.

[indy4 155]

I used to like Somewhere in my Memory, but I voted Christmas Star. It's so beautiful, especially the chorus.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

Silens Nox, Mychael Danna.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

I voted for Somewhere In My Memory. I love Williams' version of Carol Of The Bells probably more than any of these.

[Jarbas 1]

All the carols are great! Its very difficult to choice one of them, but for me is "Somewhere in my Memory".

I'd the pleasure to sing it with a chorus two or three times and one duet with my mother. I wrote myself a version in Portuguese.

[MrScratch 294]

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas

Even though some of the lyrics are cheesy its a very fun piece of music. I like Somewhere in my Memory a lot too. I never cared for either of the "Stars" songs.

[Hlao-roo 389]

Not that it would be in contention, but don't forget that Williams wrote a Christmas song for the first Potter film.

I also think "Christmas Star" is pretty unique, using interesting chords and harmonies that I don't seem to hear often.

You can hear its precursor four years earlier in The Accidental Tourist.

[indy4 155]

I love Williams' version of Carol Of The Bells probably more than any of these.

But I love all the Home Alone songs mentioned.

[Incanus 5,713]

Star of Betlehem is my favourite of the four carols. Both the orchestral and the choral versions. The later re-arrangement for the adult choir which is on the Home Alone 2 album is even more powerful than the children's choir version. There Williams wrote a stronger orchestral backing for the choir closer to his purely orchestral version from the first film which really makes the music soar majestically. One particular detail I love is the surprising dissonance of the crescendo which then gently glides into the silence ending the piece with a hopeful note.

[indy4 155]

Star of Betlehem is my favourite of the four carols. Both the orchestral and the choral versions. The later re-arrangement for the adult choir which is on the Home Alone 2 album is even more powerful than the children's choir version.

I disagree. I don't like the adult choir used in HA2 as much as the children's choir, I'm glad JW didn't use it for "Christmas Star."

[Josh500 1,615]

Which of Williams' original songs from the Home Alone scores is your favorite? The warm, sentimental "Somewhere in My Memory," the reverent, mysterious "Star of Bethlehem," the melancholy "Christmas Star," or the jubilant "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas"?

Yeah, that's what so great about these four Christmas songs. They all express a different mood or emotion.

My favorite is Star of Bethlehem, followed by Somewhere in My Memory.

[crocodile 7,978]

Star of Bethlehem. Hands down. Having said that I prefer Boston Pops rendition to Home Alone 2 a little bit too overblown performance. It's a Christmas carroll, not a Call of the Chamions, for God's sake.

Karol

[Ollie 1,059]

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas is my favorite.

Funny you mentioned these because I just went to a concert last night that featured all 4 of them.

[Romão 2,274]

Star of Betlehem is my favourite of the four carols. Both the orchestral and the choral versions. The later re-arrangement for the adult choir which is on the Home Alone 2 album is even more powerful than the children's choir version. There Williams wrote a stronger orchestral backing for the choir closer to his purely orchestral version from the first film which really makes the music soar majestically. One particular detail I love is the surprising dissonance of the crescendo which then gently glides into the silence ending the piece with a hopeful note.

Great post, Mikko, my sentiments exactly

[Marian Schedenig 8,159]

I voted for Somewhere In My Memory. I love Williams' version of Carol Of The Bells probably more than any of these.

Where what how?

Star of Betlehem is my favourite of the four carols. Both the orchestral and the choral versions. The later re-arrangement for the adult choir which is on the Home Alone 2 album is even more powerful than the children's choir version. There Williams wrote a stronger orchestral backing for the choir closer to his purely orchestral version from the first film which really makes the music soar majestically. One particular detail I love is the surprising dissonance of the crescendo which then gently glides into the silence ending the piece with a hopeful note.

Ack!

[Joe Brausam 214]

Perhaps he means the variations on Carol of the Bells in "Setting the Trap".

Or maybe he actually meant Williams' version of the Nutcracker Trepak?

[Red 75]

"Star of Bethlehem". I'd go as far as to say that it's the best song Williams has ever written (or helped to write).

But they're all good, especially "Merry Christmas".

[Marian Schedenig 8,159]

Setting the Trap is purely instrumental, so I thought perhaps there's a Williams adaptation of the actual song I'm not aware of.

[indy4 155]

Setting the Trap is purely instrumental, so I thought perhaps there's a Williams adaptation of the actual song I'm not aware of.

On the Home Alone OST we get JW's arranged version of "Carol of the Bells". Actually, come to think about it, I don't know if he arranged it or not.

[Red 75]

I don't think that was his arrangement.

[Hlao-roo 389]

Savatage's take on "Carol of the Bells" ("Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24"), with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" interpolated, has become a radio staple during the holiday season despite its being completely instrumental.

[Josh500 1,615]

Setting the Trap is purely instrumental, so I thought perhaps there's a Williams adaptation of the actual song I'm not aware of.

On the Home Alone OST we get JW's arranged version of "Carol of the Bells". Actually, come to think about it, I don't know if he arranged it or not.

I think he arranged O Holy Night and Carol of the Bells as well as his own songs.

Or maybe John Neufeld did.

[Goldsmithfan 6]

They play the end credits piece from Home Alone at my job. Only at Christmas time though. It started today and then was interrupted by some stupid advertisement. I was pissed. During no other time of year can I hear anything score-related at work. They must now be punished.

[Marian Schedenig 8,159]

Setting the Trap is purely instrumental, so I thought perhaps there's a Williams adaptation of the actual song I'm not aware of.

On the Home Alone OST we get JW's arranged version of "Carol of the Bells". Actually, come to think about it, I don't know if he arranged it or not.

I think he arranged O Holy Night and Carol of the Bells as well as his own songs.

Or maybe John Neufeld did.

It doesn't say so in the CD inlay, and the credits look like "stock recordings". I don't recall if the version of Carol of the Bells we performed was identical.

[ChuckM 1]

"Star of Bethlehem," definately!

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas is my favorite.

Funny you mentioned these because I just went to a concert last night that featured all 4 of them.

It was the Austin Wind Symphony again, wasn't it? I swear, every concert of theirs I hear about makes me more and more sick about the fact that I live thousands of miles away and will probably never get the chance to see or play with them! But still, glad to hear you Texans are enjoying them

[Hlao-roo 389]

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas is my favorite.

Funny you mentioned these because I just went to a concert last night that featured all 4 of them.

It was the Austin Wind Symphony again, wasn't it? I swear, every concert of theirs I hear about makes me more and more sick about the fact that I live thousands of miles away and will probably never get the chance to see or play with them! But still, glad to hear you Texans are enjoying them

Oh, yes, how we Texans pity you, Mr. I Have Met John Williams 10 Million Times In Part Because He Has Actually Visited My State Before.

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

But I've never seen him perform the Christmas songs....

[Hlao-roo 389]

But I've never seen him perform the Christmas songs....

Boo hoo.

[QMM 4]

Star of Betlehem is my favourite of the four carols. Both the orchestral and the choral versions. The later re-arrangement for the adult choir which is on the Home Alone 2 album is even more powerful than the children's choir version. There Williams wrote a stronger orchestral backing for the choir closer to his purely orchestral version from the first film which really makes the music soar majestically. One particular detail I love is the surprising dissonance of the crescendo which then gently glides into the silence ending the piece with a hopeful note.

Agreed, the climax is one of his best.

[nightscape94 965]

I like all of his carols very much, all four listed are completely different from one another, and their diversity lends to their listenability as well, since there isn't any repetition or redundancy. That being said, Star of Bethlehem is my favorite, followed very closely by Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas which is one of the catchiest pieces of music I've ever heard. I get this thing stuck in my head at the most inopportune times, and it's awesome. Star of Bethlehem is amazing and powerful, basically knocking you on your unworthy ass.

[Ollie 1,059]

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas is my favorite.

Funny you mentioned these because I just went to a concert last night that featured all 4 of them.

It was the Austin Wind Symphony again, wasn't it? I swear, every concert of theirs I hear about makes me more and more sick about the fact that I live thousands of miles away and will probably never get the chance to see or play with them! But still, glad to hear you Texans are enjoying them

Yes it was.

[John Crichton 4]

Glad you enjoyed it.

I couldn't make it, unfortunately.

[odnurega1 0]

I voted "Star of Bethlehem". This is quite simply an awesome piece of music. It has so much power. I saw Home Alone on the big screen yesterday, and it was great hearing this music on the screen.