Joy to the World 2022: a guide to CBC Music's Christmas special

Joy to the World, CBC Music's annual Euroradio holiday special, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. NT).

Julie Nesrallah will be your guide for this spectacular lineup of Christmas concerts originating from the countries of the European Broadcasting Union. One of the most popular events of the year on CBC Music, Joy to the World has been an annual tradition since 1995, uniting the globe through music for the holiday season. This year's broadcast will include performances from the Netherlands, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Austria, Sweden — and Canada.

• Listen to CBC Music's Christmas playlists, from classical to country, gospel to jazz

Scroll down for a detailed schedule, and don't forget to tune in on Dec. 18 on CBC Music or via CBC Listen.

Note: broadcast times are 30 minutes later in Newfoundland and Labrador.

9:05 a.m.: Montreal

The day begins at the Church of La Visitation-du-Sault-au-Récollet in Montreal, where L'Harmonie des saisons presents a baroque Christmas from the old and new worlds. Joined by soprano Denise Torre Ormeño and tenor Philippe Gagné, they'll perform arrangements highlighting the colours of the ensemble's baroque instruments. Eric Milnes leads the concert from his harpsichord.

10:05 a.m.: Utrecht, the Netherlands 

The Amsterdam Sinfonietta celebrates Christmas by focusing on the Magnificat, the hymn of Mary, with music by J.S. Bach, Telemann, Handel, Finzi, Beethoven and Bill Evans. Soloists include trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger and soprano Johanna Wallroth. Tomo Keller leads the concert, which comes to us from the main hall at the TivoliVredenburg.

11:05 a.m.: Tallinn, Estonia

From St. Nicholas Church in Tallinn, a concert by award-winning ensemble Vox Clamantis and its director, Jaan-Eik Tulve. They'll perform medieval and Renaissance music alongside recent works by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

12:05 p.m.: Neuendettelsau, Germany

From the heart of Bavaria, you'll hear a concert performed by the renowned Windsbach Boys' Choir and the Classic Brass Quintet. Martin Lehmann leads them through works by Michael Praetorius, Benjamin Britten, Eric Whitacre and others.

1:05 p.m.: Reykjavik, Iceland

The Reykjavik Chamber Orchestra presents a concert titled Baroque from the North, highlighting music by composers who worked in northern Europe — from London, north to Potsdam and further north to Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The flute soloist is Áshildur Haraldsdóttir.

2:05 p.m.: Vienna, Austria

Michael Grohotolsky leads the Vienna Chamber Choir through a program of traditional carols from Austria, Germany and France. The concert comes from Saint Elisabeth Church in the city's Wieden district.

3:05 p.m.: Piteå, Sweden

The Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble performs music with a folk twist by Otto Olsson, Jan Sandström and Agneta Sköld. They're joined by nyckelharpa player Torbjörn Näsbom and accordionist David Wahlén for added pizzazz.

4:05 p.m.: Saarbrücken, Germany

The day comes to a close at the Halberg Broadcasting Centre in Saarbrücken, where soprano Elsa Benoit and mezzo-soprano Sarah Romberger take the stage with the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. On the program: music for voice and orchestra by Richard Strauss, Engelbert Humperdinck and Max Reger.