Music for the Winter Solstice and a Happy Holiday

It looks like winter is upon us right on schedule this year for the Winter Solstice.  It's the shortest day of the year, however on the bright side, the days will be getting longer from here on in even though it may not seem that way for a while. For enjoyable music as we start this season, certainly Winter from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi is a perennial favorite.  Above is the first movement with some visuals added. Perhaps coming to mind a little less immediately, but just as appropriate for this time of year with its magical evocation of a winter sleigh ride through the woods, is Peter Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1, Winter Daydreams.  Here's the first movement. http://youtu.be/0qCSr8nijUw And speaking of sleigh rides, don't forget the Troika from Sergei Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije Suite: http://youtu.be/P81-_E1C_ck No matter what your favorite winter music may be, I hope you enjoy the season and have a Happy Holiday. And just a reminder that Boyce Lancaster will have The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky Saturday morning around 11 am or so before the Metropolitan Opera broadcast at 1 pm here on Classical 101.