Most musicians, (myself included) have a love-hate relationship with Christmas carols. Our tolerance of them depends entirely on our ability to find interest in repetition. We hear and play almost the exact same songs every year. I personally try to limit my exposure to Christmas carols. I save them for special Christmas traditions like decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping presents, unwrapping presents and Christmas lunch/dinner. It is mildly irritating when supermarkets and shopping centres start playing carols in mid-November.

The carols I do absolutely love are all very unique when compared to the traditional carol repertoire. They have something different to them that gets my attention and draws me in. It might be a totally different arrangement, unusual instrumentation or even an altered harmony. All music students can play a Christmas coral but an artist makes it unique by expressing something that is different.

So, in no particular order here are my…

Top 6 Unique Christmas Carols

Mary Did You Know ~ Pentatonix

This is an exquisite arrangement of an incredible song. The song itself was relatively unknown until Pentatonix brought to the hears and hearts of audiences around the world. The polyphonic texture and interrelatedness of all the interwoven voices intricately draw listeners into a world that is far removed from the watered down consumer-driven reality that has become Christmas in the modern western world. And for the briefest of moments, you forget that any of it exists.

This songs reminds us, weather we are religious or not that there has to more to Christmas than buying, getting and over eating.

Carol of The Bell ~ Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Carol of The Bell is one of my long-term all-time favourite Christmas carols. And this is possible for the same reason I so enjoyed Pentatonix’s ‘Mary Did You’. It doesn’t sing about Santa, presents or food and has intricate interlocking parts that transport you into a totally different space.

This particular arrangement has made the list because of its unique instrumentation. To refer to it in classical terms it’s almost like a double concerto for rock band and orchestra (although not long enough to properly fit the concerto category). Both the orchestra and rock band have significant parts and yet they rarely feel like they are competing. It also has a totally different feel to it than most Christmas music. Due to this ‘darker’ feel it probably isn’t for everyone but I think it captures some of what it is like to struggle with Christmas.

Carol of The Bell ~ Piano Guys

Yes, its technically the same song but this arrangement is so totally different that it’s the same as being a totally different work.

This unique version of Carol of the Bell is for 12 cellos and has been recorded by Piano Guys’ Steven Sharp Nelson. It has a totally different feel both to the original and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s version. To me, this piece captures the peace, warmth and relational connections that underlie the spirit of Christmas. The true uniqueness of this arrangement is found in its melodic content and musical form. The melody, while still be recognised as Carol of The Bell has been rhythmically altered and reworked.

Midway through the piece morphs into ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentle Men’. However, the Carols of The bell continues to play underneath. This is done so effectively that it is easy to miss if you’re not looking forward.

I Wonder As I wonder ~ Lindsey Stirling

Lindsey Stirling’s ‘I wonder As I wonder’ is an incredible piece of music. It’s the sort of piece that needs to be listened to loud on a good stereo. Doing this allows you not only to listen with your ears but to listen with your entire body and feel the music.

Using her angelic voice, dense reverb and her electric violin Lindsey successfully transports listeners into her totally unique world. It is hard to place this work into a genre and is really an amalgamation of hip-hop, dubstep, electronic and classical. Thus well and truly earning a place on this list.