Kate Molleson journeys through the Christmas season in Latin America, introducing the composers who shaped local festivities across centuries and longitudes. From cathedrals to countryside to the deep heat of megacities, we revel in music for worship, friendship, family and fiestas.

Music Featured:

Trad: Esta Noche es Nochebuena Juan Garcia de Zespedes: Convidando esta la noche Gaspar Fernandes: Xicochi Conetzintle; Tleycantimo Choquiliya Gaspar Fernandes: A Belen me llego, Tio Manuel de Zumaya: Celebren publiquen Manuel de Zumaya: El de pedro solamente; Angelicas milicias Trad: Mañanitas guadalupanas Trad: Miren cuantas luces; De larga jornada; La Pinata Jose Alfredo Jimenez: Amarga Navidad; Se va diciembre Arturo Márquez: Conga del Fuego Nuevo Trad: Niño Lindo Vicente Emilio Sojo: Five Pieces from Venezuela Trad: Corre caballito; La mula Aldemaro Romero: Fuga con Pajarillo (from Suite for Strings) Teresa Carreño: Nocturne: Souvenir de mon pays Evencio Castellanos: Avilena Suite (excerpt) Trad: Huachitorito Alberto Ginastera: Villancico Astor Piazzolla: Invierno Porteño (Four Seasons); Milonga del Angel Guastavino: 3 Argentinian Romances: Baile Ariel Ramirez: Navidad Nuestra Luis Aguile: Ven a mi casa esta navidad Osvaldo Pugliese: Navidad João Gilberto: Presente de Natal Antonio Carlos Gomes: Sonata for Strings ‘O burrico de pau’ (4th mvt) Chiquinha Gonzaga: As pombas; Saudade José Maurício Nunes Garcia: Missa Pastoril for Christmas Night Assis Valente: Recadinho de Papai Noel Assis Valente: Boas Festas Antonio Carlos Jobim: Anos Dourados; Wave M. Camargo Guarnieri: Flor de Tremembe Llego la Navidad La Fiesta de Pilito Rafael Hernadez: Triste Navidad Rafael Hernandez: Casitas de la Montana Chuito El de Bayamon: Los tres Santo Reyes Trad: A las Zarandelas Arbolito Amaury Vellay Torregrosa: Villancico Yaucano De la montaña venimos Pasteles y Lechon Canto a Borinquen; Aires de Navidad Sylvia Rexach: Lamento de Navidad José Feliciano: Feliz Navidad

Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for A Latin American Christmas https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0025ll7

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z