Sufjan Stevens contributing music to a ballet, releasing Christmas box set (dates & stream)

Sufjan Stevens at Prospect Park in 2011 (more by Jessica Amaya)
Sufjan Stevens

As mentioned, the NYC Ballet will be presenting Two Hearts, with music by Nico Muhly, live vocals by Dawn Landes, and choreography by Benjamin Millepied (Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan), starting this Friday (10/5) and running through Tuesday (10/9). Also beginning Friday, is the ballet, Year of the Rabbit with music by Sufjan Stevens (from his Enjoy Your Rabbit album) and choreography by Justin Peck (who has also done work with Philip Glass). More info on Year of the Rabbit and tickets are available HERE. All dates are listed below.

Sufjan is also releasing Christmas music this year (for a change). He’ll release a five-EP box set, Silver & Gold: songs for Christmas, Volumes 6-10, on November 13 via Asthmatic Kitty. The box set features guest appearances by Aaron and Bryce Dessner (of The National), Richard Reed Parry (of Arcade Fire, Cat Martino (who plays NYC soon), Ray Raposa of Castanets (who recently released an album), members of Danielson, and more. Check out the cover art(s), tracklist, and a free download of one of the songs below.

Sufjan Stevens – “Christmas Unicorn”

Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens

Tracklist:
1. Silent Night
2. Lumberjack Christmas / No One Can Save You From Christmases Past
3. Coventry Carol
4. The Midnight Clear
5. Carol of St. Benjamin The Bearded One
6. Go Nightly Cares
7. Barcarola (You Must Be A Christmas Tree)
8. Auld Lang Syne
9. Christ the Lord is Born
10. Christmas Woman
11. Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light
12. Happy Family Christmas
13. Jingle Bells
14. Mysteries of the Christmas Mist
15. Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates
16. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
17. Ah Holy Jesus
18. Behold the Birth of Man, the Face of Glory
19. Ding-a-ling-a-ring-a-ling
20. How Shall I Fitly Meet Thee?
21. Mr. Frosty Man
22. Make Haste To See the Baby
23. Ah Holy Jesus (with reed organ)
24. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
25. Morning (Sacred Harp)
26. Idumea (Sacred Harp)
27. Eternal Happiness Or Woe
28. Ah Holy Jesus (a capella)
29. I Am Santa’s Helper
30. Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages)
31. Even the Earth Will Perish and the Universe Give Way
32. Angels We Have Heard On High
33. Do You Hear What I Hear?
34. Christmas In The Room
35. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
36. Good King Wenceslas
37. Alphabet
38. Particle Physics
39. Joy To The World
40. The Child With The Star On His Head
41. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
42. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
43. The Sleigh In The Moon
44. Sleigh Ride
45. Ave Maria (featuring Cat Martino)
46. X-mas Spirit Catcher
47. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
48. Holly Jolly Christmas
49. Christmas Face
50. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
51. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
52. Up On The Housetop
53. Angels We Have Heard On High
54. We Need A Little Christmas
55. Happy Karma Christmas
56. We Three Kings
57. Justice Delivers Its Death
58. Christmas Unicorn

Year of the Rabbit – 2012/2013 Dates
October 5 New York City Ballet
OCtober 6 New York City Ballet
October 7 New York City Ballet
October 13 New York City Ballet
January 29 New York City Ballet
January 30 New York City Ballet
February 1 New York City Ballet
February 2 New York City Ballet