Annual ritual to announce the Festive Season

I have owned this record for (gulp) about 30 years. Crisply played brass ensemble music - some of it by 20th century and contemporary composers and some of it renaissance and traditional music arranged for brass.

What it isn't is Christmassy carols or anything connected with Christmas - and yet those golden brass harmonies go perfectly with mince pies and port.

So each year, when I've cleared the urgent work and feel as though I can relax, I reach for this record.

Skål! I declare The Messy Room Festive Season has begun.

Keeping in the mood: tomorrow I'm baking stollen.