Leise Rieselt Der Schnee …
Translates to “The snow is falling quietly”. It’s one of the most traditional Christmas songs where we are from in Austria and you’ll probably hear it sung in most families around the tree on Christmas Eve.
It’s all about how the “Christ Child” (Christkind) is coming to visit soon. In Austria, Switzerland, Germany and a few more European and even some South American parts, the Christkind is still the traditional gift-bringer on Christmas Eve – it’s a little angel with golden locks and wings that visits all children, brings the presents and decorates the house. It’s a cute little thing and for us it played as big of a role in Christmas as Santa does in the States for example (though it’s a lot less commercialised).
We found a little article that perfectly describes what this tradition is like in case you are interested (click). Even though you’re not supposed to spot the Christkind we were convinced that we once saw it swinging on the curtain rail in our kitchen before it quickly dissolved into thin air. It’s very shy and always makes sure to stay hidden, but it leaves some nice shiny presents underneath the Christmas tree and lights up the candles.
The video above is from 2009. It was the first Christmas song we ever recorded and even our dad Rudi and step mum Michaela are playing along on bass and guitar (off screen)! It’s also one of the very few occasions that Mona attempted to play lead guitar 😉
Christmas in Austria is generally speaking a much more tranquil and solemn occasion than in many other parts of the world where it’s often more joyful and jolly. That shows in the type of Christmas music as well. We have to say, we love both traditions and wouldn’t be able to pick one over the other.
Does your family celebrate any specific traditions around the holidays?
Mona & Lisa
12 replies on “Xmas Song 2009 “Leise Rieselt Der Schnee””
Didn’t understand the words because they were German. But still loved it. Excellent job Ladies.
Do you have any childhood pictures of you posed with Christkindl? That would be interesting (and, I’m sure, adorable) to see.
Mona, you did a great job playing lead – then and now. 🙂
How can anyone not love this video? Such talented young ladies. I love this young version. Beautiful. Very impressive.
Beautiful
Charmante. 🙂
In the eastern part of Germany, as of its 40-year history of (so-called) “socialism”, it’s mostly the “Weihnachtsmann” / “Santa Claus” who is coming to children on December 24th, although the song “Leise rieselt der Schnee” is well-known and very much liked. On that evening “Bockwurst” or “Wiener Würste” / “sausages” and “Kartoffelsalat” / “potato salad” is being eaten in many families. Fairytale movies – classic ones produced in eastern Germany, the Czech republic and the former Soviet republic, because of their charm and high quality, and newer fairytale productions, too – are very common to get whole families in front of the television during Christmas all over Germany.
Yes… Turkey Dinner with all the fixings… Dessert Galore… My FUDGE… Have to make it every year for my family or I’ll never hear the end like I did the one year I drcided not to make it but something different… Since then it is fudge along with some kind of cookies or squares as my Xmas Food contribution to Family Xmas… Open our gifts either before or after our Xmas Dinner. I go to 2 places.. My oldest brother and family usually on Xmas or Boxing Day depending on their plans. If on Boxing Day… I go out to relatives in the country on their farm on Xmas Day and enjoy time with them as I do with my own brothers and sister in law and niece and nephews… My oldest bro lives in a small village out in the country. Growing Up though my Dad’s side of family and ourselves for years alternated going to each other’s places for Xmas and New Year’s and the following year we would reverse as to who’s place to go for Xmas/NY…. I’m actually going out to my oldest brother’s today????????????
Thank you ladies for putting this time of year in perspective. We tend to get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas instead of taking the time to reflect and reach out to those that are close to us. There are many traditions around the world, but for me I like the quiet tranquil one that is your customary one.
As far as personal ones go… We try getting family together ( sometimes as many as 40 show up) and spend time with each of them and catch up a bit. After the presents are unwrapped everyone has a paperback fight. Much like a snowball fight. Then everyone chips in and cleans up. Of course a big meal follows. Yummy!
Such a lovely video! Being able to see you 2 as young musicians growing up is wonderful! These advent videos are awesome.
Growing up as kids in N.Y. on Christmas eve (the 24th) we got to open just ONE gift. The rest had to wait until Christmas day. Traditional Christmas dinner was typically ham, potatoes, veggies and several different pies, cookies. Now a days people tend to vary their Christmas meals. Some have ham, some turkey, some pork roast, etc.
I hope the Wagner family has a very pleasant Christmas!
One of the biggest treats is having the opportunity to see the two of you grow into the musicians and women you are today and this video is a perfect golden nugget. There is a very peaceful feel to this song which does remind one of the gentle quiet feeling of freshly falling snow. As far as Christmas traditions even though there is no doubt how much work goes into this from the MLT team I am hoping the Advent Calendar will be a Christmas tradition going forward. It is adding so much to this season! 🙂
I always enjoyed this video, as it sounds like a country Christmas song for me. Really nice, and love the way you both sing it and play the guitar. I really like hearing more about your Austrian Christmas traditions like the Krampus night, and this about Christkind. I like the angelic aspect of it, as it sounds more meaningful than Santa Claus.
Thanks for this.
The Christmas tradition at the Roe residence was warm family night on Christmas eve, with my sister renting a bunch of video tapes (remember those?), and my mom would make up a nice big meal, sometimes traditional Korean rice cake soup, or just traditional western foods like chicken or turkey, and I can’t forget my mom’s signature yellow sponge cake with beautiful white frosting. My mom would usually fall asleep on the couch and start snoring in the middle of all the movies, while my sister and I would look at each other and laugh. My dad was more boring and would go to bed by 10PM, but not after pigging out on all the wonderful food my mom made. When we were younger, we tried to convince our parents some traditions around the world (Austria!!!) open gifts on Christmas eve, so we could get a head start on the gift opening 🙂 , as we could never wait until the morning . Christmas day we usually had guests over like our cousins or we would go over to visit them. Those were good times, and thanks for reminding me of those memories!
I’ve played this often. Absolutely delightful and I was surprised to see Mona attempting the lead. Such a lovely rendition and although I couldn’t understand the language, I had the feeling it was a very special song, and sung so sweetly. I wasn’t aware that both Rudi and Michaela were also involved until I read it some time later. Then I realised what Mona and Lisa were looking at occasionally. Thanks again for sharing and explaining a little more of Austrian Christmas culture.