Erwilian

Relive the magic of our holiday show from the audience — with excerpts from five performances and program notes below — thanks to our friend for these videos 🙏🏼

1 / This Little Babe ✨
Benjamin Britten’s timeless carol, paired with What Child is this? These songs capture the irony and drama: “For in this weak unarmèd wise / The gates of hell He will surprise.”

2 / Angelía 👼🏻
A favorite subject of many medieval carols (and art) is the annunciation of Gabriel to Mary depicted in Luke 1:26-38. Angelía combines three lesser-known pieces centered on this theme. Gabriel’s Message, a Basque carol from the 12-1300s adapted here to a modern 4/4 meter, is combined with the 15th Century melody The Salutation of the Angel Gabriel. A third tune, The Salutation Carol, appears as a descant.

3 / Ríu Ríu Chíu 🦜
A vibrant villancico from the late 16th century, attributed to Catalan composer Mateu Fletxa. This arrangement, adapted from Pacific Northwest acoustic duo Tingstad & Rumbel, intertwines classical instruments with modern acoustic elements, offering a fresh take on Ríu Riu Chíu’s narrative of divine protection against the devil, all while mimicking the call of the kingfisher.

4 / Lullay 🤫
As a Christmas carol, The Coventry Carol presents many challenges: a well-known traditional tune, a tragic theme, and a soft lamenting lullaby set beside the raging fury of Herod’s pogrom in Matthew 2:16-18. It was written in the 1500s as part of a now-forgotten pageant, sung by a mother trying to quiet her child and prevent discovery. Lullay blends the familiar carol with original passages, reflecting the drama of this event, rising from murmur to chaos, and finally the Father gathering the souls of Rachel’s children to Himself.

5 / Wandering 🌝
I Wonder as I Wander has an interesting history. John Jacob
Niles, who made a project of collecting oral folk songs during the Great Depression, heard the song from the young daughter of a traveling revivalist preacher. After Niles published the song, he attempted unsuccessfully to find her, up to his death in 1980.

Thanks Classical KING FM 98.1

Can’t wait to see everyone this weekend! 🎄
ERWILIAN — Christmas Concert 2025

Classical KING FM 98.1

Experience the PNW's acoustic holiday tradition! Join Seattle's Billboard chart-topping ensemble ERWILIAN and be transported on a yuletide journey through timeless carols and Erwilian favorites that capture the warmth, joy, and spirit of the holidays.

✨🎻🎄🪉🥁❄️

ERWILIAN — Christmas Concert 2025

ERWILIAN: 17th Annual Christmas Concert Join us for a festive evening of music and celebration at ERWILIAN's 17th Annual Christmas Concert!