Award-winning neo-classical composer Antonija Pacek turns her passion and expression towards the Christmas classics this season, offering a refreshingly warm, intimate and honest instrumental album, perfectly titled Heartwarming Christmas Compilation.
Taking the time to connect with the mood and intentions of Christmas music, the project begins with the delicate tones of White Christmas, a traditional favourite, where the raw sound of weighted keys and the organic capture feels so mellow and precise, even softly unique, in this real-time setting.
Noting hundreds of thousands of listeners and millions of streams, Antonija’s music has slowly but surely broken down the boundaries of a busy industry. Her ability to embrace her audience, with mellow tones and intricate, seamless transitions, is truly incredible, and deeply soulful, and this modest but moving collection acts as a lasting ode to that.
Featuring comforting classics like Silent Night, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and O Christmas Tree, this album is a modest but faultless dedication to the warmth and wonder of the Christmas season. At the same time, Antonija Pacek keeps things interesting and fun, by also including pop classics like All I Want For Christmas Is You, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. That sense of variety is key to holding attention, letting this feel not like an artist album, but a genuine, timeless go-to playlist for the days leading up to and including Christmas.
It’s a playlist that keeps on giving, and without the overloading of bells, beats and filler from the bigger pop arrangements. Antonia Pacek’s playing is sublime, seamless yet relaxed, depicting a level of ability and an unwavering passion for the process that are second to none.
Released by Sweden’s Dream Relaxation Label in 2025, Heartwarming Christmas Selection is a perfectly-titled album of intimate Christmas songs, each arranged and played by the very talented Antonija Pacek. The songs are quietly festive, gentle and non-intrusive, but also nostalgic and warming in the traditional roots of their melodies and ideas.
The twelve tracks were chosen for their closeness to Antonija’s heart, some even being songs she used to sing with her three daughters when they were younger. And that’s the essence of Christmas, in a nut-shell – the sense of family, togetherness, gratitude; the memories, the giving, the freedom from the weight and pace of the outside world.
This is a rather perfectly compiled selection of Christmas songs, softly recaptured by a modern pianist with a natural affinity for connecting with audiences far and wide.
Personal highlights include the wonderful celebration of Felix Navidad, the unexpected and impressive instrumental take of All I Want For Christmas is You – rich and refreshing in its purity – and the deeply moving emotional journey of Ave Maria.
Find Antonija Pacek on Instagram or her Website.
