We couldn’t be more thrilled to share something very close to our hearts with you this holiday season: Nuestra Navidad. Nuestra Navidad is Classical California’s new 24/7 free stream of classical holiday music from Latin America and the Spanish-speaking world.
Two of our favorite things in the world are the holidays and sharing music with the people we love. That’s exactly what Nuestra Navidad is all about: bringing together beautiful music, transporting you to your favorite holiday memories, and diving into the rich stories behind these holiday masterpieces.
Music Pa’ Alegrarte
When creating Nuestra Navidad, we wanted it to feel like a holiday gathering where every piece of music tells a story. You’ll hear about Mercedes Jané, who missed the coconut flowers of her Paraguayan Christmases so much that she wrote the now-classic Navidad del Paraguay.
You’ll learn about Ariel Ramírez, who traveled through Argentina collecting folk songs before composing his iconic Misa Criolla.
But it’s not just about the stories behind the music—it’s the way this music brings the holidays to life. Imagine the finesse of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker reimagined as a Mariachi waltz.
Or marvel at Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero’s breathtaking improvisations on Vivaldi’s Winter.
This stream is a celebration of tradition and innovation—a way to honor what’s familiar while discovering something new.
The Stories Que Nos Unen
The holidays are all about connection. Whether it’s singing Noche de Paz as a family, sharing memories over pasteles en hoja, or dancing the night away with your tias on Noche Buena, every tradition is rooted in love. Nuestra Navidad captures that same sense of closeness. You’ll hear stories of how music has shaped holiday traditions across Latin America, from the devout aguinaldos of Venezuela to the celebratory La Marimorena in Spain. Every piece in this program is a chance to reflect on what makes the holidays so special—the people, the moments, and the traditions we share.
Why Spanglish?
Spanglish, an inventive mashup of English and Spanish, is a linguistic masterpiece that has been echoing through the corridors of America for years, particularly resonating within bustling communities of latin-american populations. The mix of Spanish and English is the world’s fastest growing linguistic hybrid. You can comenzar en una lengua and quickly move to the other because tal vez that’s the way tu mente funciona. Experts calculate that it is spoken by 50 million people. But choosing to record Nuestra Navidad in Spanglish isn’t about a statistic. It was our goal to invite everyone, regardless of the language they speak, to feel at home in these stories and pieces of music. Spanglish becomes a bridge, ensuring that anyone can be part of the celebration and share in the joy of this cultural tapestry.
Join Us for Nuestra Navidad
Tune in to Classical California’s Nuestra Navidad and let us take you on a musical journey filled with festive rhythms, heartfelt stories, and holiday joy.
From the fireworks in the sky to the quiet moments of reflection, Nuestra Navidad is our gift to you this holiday season. I hope it fills your home with warmth, your days with joy, and your holiday with music as magical as the people you share it with.
Feliz Navidad!
