Wiener Sängerknaben or Vienna Boys’ Choir is the world’s foremost children’s choral group. It is among the oldest of musical organizations, founded following an Imperial decree of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I on July 7, 1498; the Emperor wished boys’ voices to be added to the choir of the Imperial Chapel, or Hofkapelle. There are actually four choirs that tour the world, though Covid has put that on pause.
A frosty morning made Elf think of wintry things so he asked the boys to sing Sleigh Ride.
Over seventy years after Leroy Anderson created Sleigh Ride, the composition is still ranked as one of the 10 most popular pieces of Christmas music worldwide. Though the word “Christmas” is never mentioned in the lyrics, which Mitchell Parish wrote several years after Anderson finished the composition. Anderson ( 1908 – 1975 ) was an American composer of short, light concert pieces and his music is instantly familiar and sure to cheer us up, whether you want to dance to Belle of the Ball or write at speed to The Typewriter ( which gives me an idea for another blog! )
Times and Tides of a Beachwriter 
Beautiful version of a classic Christmas song. I had no idea the Vienna boys choir has been around since 1498!
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No nor did I; when you think of all the political and religious upheavals Europe has been through over the centuries it is a wonder all the great things that survive.
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Let’s hope that continues…
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That was wonderful. What amazing voices. And I had no idea that the Vienna Boy’s Choir has been around so long. A great share. 🙂
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Thanks, so glad you enjoyed it.
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I always wait to hear these songs when I’m in bed and there are no distractions. The voices are ethereal! The smiling faces say it all. Once again I am touched deeply.
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Thanks and I’m sure we all would like our blogs read and listened to when there are no distractions!
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How interesting that the word Christmas is not uttered once during Sleigh Ride. That is such a classic song. I enjoyed seeing the uniforms that the boys wore.
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Hello Pete, yes a classic piece. I don’t know how their navy style uniforms originated but they are distinctive.
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A lovely song… to me there is nothing like the sound of a boys choir and lovely to know how it has survived for so many years 🙂 x
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Hello Carol , yes boys’ choirs are very special, glad you enjoyed the song.
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