Veering away from popular music this week, we have the 4th movement from Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé suite that I’m certain almost everyone will recognise. Even if you don’t know Prokofiev, the theme crops up in plenty of places, including Greg Lake’s “I Believe in Father Christmas”

I’ve adored this piece of music since I was a very wee tiny thing and one of my fondest memories from my teenage years was mastering this on the clarinet for my Grade 4 exam. So much fun (and, uh, just a few squeaks while I was learning – sorry neighbours!)

It’s a simple melody, but with the percussion it always makes me think of taking a sleigh ride through a winter wonderland and I love the freedom that thought brings.

You can find my Christmas With a Twist playlist on Spotify.

That’s all for now. Happy reading and listening!