For many, December means dusting off the trusty Christmas playlist and taking it for a festive spin or two. Personally, I like to zhuzh up the traditional favourites with something new, so if you’re on the hunt for some original music to accompany the crackle of roasting chestnuts, here are eight of the best.

Nothing beats a brass band for evoking the snowy Yorkshire dales, and Brass at Christmas features one of the finest (Naxos 8574564). The Black Dyke Band fire on all cylinders as they play the music of John Rutter, the most celebrated composer of carols of our day, in arrangements by Luc Vertommen. The Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus adds enthusiastic vocals here and there to an easy-on-the-ear program. Highlights include sparkling settings of O Clap Your Hands, Rejoice and Be Merry, Here We Come a-Wassailing and a chipper We Wish You a Merry Christmas to finish.

Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, directed by William Vann. Photo © John Francis

If you like traditional English but fancy something different, try Carols from Herefordshire, a dozen traditional songs collected, arranged and published by folklorist Ella Mary Leather and composer Ralph Vaughan...