ALL DECKED OUT FOR CHRISTMAS SING ALONG WITH THE CLASSICS.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

The holiday season, one of the most beautiful times of year, has an equally gorgeous soundtrack.

A fine place to take in the eloquent sounds of the season is Disney Hall, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's annual holiday concert series. With special guests and choruses on board, the L.A. Phil's ``Deck the Hall'' series offers a slate of festive performances throughout December (including two concerts with Lyle Lovett on New Year's Eve).

Starting tonight for three dates is the `` 'Twas the Week Before Christmas'' concert in which Alexander Mickelthwate conducts a spirited orchestral program that includes portions of Tchaikovsky's ``Nutcracker Suite,'' Bach's ``Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring,'' Handel's ``For Unto Us a Child Is Born'' and ``Hallelujah'' from ``Messiah,'' along with a selection of carols.

``This is my third year doing it,'' said Mickelthwate, the L.A. Phil's German-born associate conductor. ``This year is probably the most creative because we have members of the Westside Ballet for certain pieces of `Nutcracker' and several choruses.''

Along with the dancers and singers from the Canterbury and Coventry Choirs of All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena, actor-storyteller David Prather is host/narrator of the event.

``We designed the program for all ages, and the Tchaikovsky is, of course, one of the quintessential Christmas pieces,'' Mickelthwate explained. ``So we thought this time we'd add the ballet part, which is very exciting.''

Praised for his idiomatic readings, fearless approach and first-rate technique, Mickelthwate has attracted attention for his charismatic presence on the podium and command of a wide range of musical styles. Born into a musical family, he developed his talent at an early age as a cellist in youth orchestras and chamber groups, as a singer in a professional choir, and as a pianist and organist.

``The program is varied,'' he added. ``There are elements of the beautiful traditional Germanic Christmas and contemporary American music. The night is a little journey from Tchaikovsky to Germanic to American homegrown. And the audience is part of the program.''

A sing-along portion of the night includes such familiar songs as ``Joy to the World,'' ``Do You Hear What I Hear?'' and ``The Twelve Days of Christmas.''

Mickelthwate said Disney Hall is an ideal location for the concerts because ``it's a very warm space. The audience is placed around the stage, and, with all the wood and the organ, it's a very intimate feel. In other halls, there's more space between the performers and the audience.''

As for his own Christmas plans, Mickelthwate and his family are planning to spend a few days in Mexico.

``I'm from Germany -- one of the home countries of Christmas, where they celebrate the entire month in very elaborate ways,'' he said. ``It's also very cold there. Being in California, I really enjoy the weather.''

Fred Shuster, [phone]

[e-mail]

DECK THE HALL: 'TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS WITH THE L.A. PHILHARMONIC

Where: Disney Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

When: 8 tonight, 2 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets: $39 to $135, ages 12 and younger are half-price. [phone]; http://wdch.laphil.com.

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MICKELTHWATE