I've succumbed to the season. On this ultimate Komodo Dragon Show of 2010, I present Messiaen's outré Vingt regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus and Schütz's dank Christmas oratorio. I will have found my way back when the broadcast resumes on 5 January 2011.

1. Olivier ("Je suis complètement fou") Messiaen: Vingt regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus (1944)

Louise Bessette - piano

Atma Classique, ACD 2 2219/20

127:28

("Contemplation of the Christ child in the manger and the gazes which fall upon him.")

2. Heinrich Schütz: Histora der Geburt Jesu Christi (1664)

Frieder Bernius - conductor, Musica Fiata Köln, Barockorchester Stuttgart

Sony, SK 45943

32'

(Canadians, imagine you're listening to CBC Stereo's Choral Concert ca. 1989.)