What are the greatest pieces of classical music Christmas? We asked our readers to vote on their favourites and the results are in. There are plenty of festive favourites in the mix, but who will take the Christmas crown?

10. Britten: A Boy Was Born

The English composer – whose predilection for Christmas cheer sees him named twice in this list – dedicated these technically demanding, unaccompanied choral variations to his father.

9. Berlioz: L’Enfance du Christ

Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique is perfect for Halloween, but the French composer has Christmas covered too. His oratorio L’Enfance du Christ or The Childhood of Christ depicts the immediate aftermath of Christ’s birth, from Herod slaughtering all the newborn babies in Judea to Mary, Joseph and Jesus fleeing to Egypt.

8. Britten: A Ceremony of Carols

Britten began writing A Ceremony of Carols for high voices and harp on his return voyage to England following his stay in the USA during World War II – the work was immediately popular and continues to be popular on the choral menu at Christmas time.

7. Prokofiev: Troika from Lieutenant Kijé

The Troika from Prokofiev’s orchestral suite Lieutenant Kijé (music he wrote for the 1934 Soviet film...