Christmas instrumental music

christmas is not christmas for me until i've heard http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000A1GL/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/

The Nutcracker Suite. Get the whole thing, not just the one or two parts that are popular (the Overture and "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy"). My personal favorite parts are the Christmas party in Act I and the long string of dances for the different toys and sweets in Act II, of which "Sugar Plum Fairy" is just one part.

Two of my favourite Christmas albums that fit this bill are http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000QZSHRC/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ and http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005NNDO/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/.

Duke Ellington also has a Nutcracker worth listening to that just got a http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00COU082E/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/. There are also cheaper back catalog recordings of it.

Came in here to mention that George Winston album. If you like the Vince Guaraldi stuff, you might also like http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003D5P/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/, also solo piano. We also have that Stevan Pasero, and it came in a boxed set with http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000005YU/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ by Jim Bajor (piano) andhttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000QZSHS6/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ by the Ware-Patterson Duo (flute and guitar).

Try hammered dulcimer. Steve and Ruth Smith's CD "An Appalachian Winter" is one example (hammered dulcimer & guitar).

-http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000C2P4/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ (all acoustic, no electric) -http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000CAGSO0/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ (this one's all piano) -http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000M4RP84/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ (also all piano and there's a http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004364E5Y/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ too if you like that one) -http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003EP8/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ -http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005R5LC/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ (various, I selected this one because it looks like it avoids singers entirely) -http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000IQ3A/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ -http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0031GD0SO/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ -http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000I0QKEM/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ -http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BO9ZJ2/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ -maybe http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001SIBCGE/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ (only partially Christmas-y) Sorry, I'm going to have to stop there but there's probably another ten or so that I can dig up if you'd like. From where? You should really check out http://www.pandora.com/music/holiday (alternatively, Jazz or Peaceful Holidays stations), which is where I'm pulling these suggestions from, and thumbs-down any of the vocal ones. It's amazing how much of what you're describing is what that station plays.

Instrumental Christmas music is my favorite kind. :)Kurt Bestor http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00631Z6EU/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/, http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001O2VN/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/, and http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006809AC/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ (no, that's not a repeat)I see George Winston's December was already mentioned, but his http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004MEYGGY/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ album has a few Christmasy tracks, particularly the pieces from "The Snowman".I like a lot of the selections from the various http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=narada+christmas&sprefix=narada%2Caps%2C300&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Anarada+christmas, the http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000TETHP6/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ in particular. Also a great way to find a lot of other artists who do instrumental Christmas music.David Lanz's http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000005OZA/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ and http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K4G5/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006D2T9/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ - this has a collection of various artists, but is mostly instrumentalSome of the tracks on http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000005MT/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ album fit the bill, though Mannheim Steamroller does tend to get a bit overexposed during this time of year.http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002N3H/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ - has vocals, but the songs are not the ordinary Christmas fare.

Ottmar Liebert - Poets & Angels - Latin Guitar - different, but very good.