A Choral Christmas / Jones, Trinity Choir Of Boston
Sono Luminus
CD
$18.99Jul 23, 1997
From the first few seconds of this new recording from Brian Jones and his Trinity Choir, you know it's Christmas. The flute and bell sounds, the dancing rhythm from the organ, the prodigiously joyful voices, and the catchy, unmistakably Rutter-esque melody combine to set off the sparks that promise a bright, happy, thoughtfully and lovingly compiled program. I say "lovingly" because this is the type of programming that, as usual with Jones, is not made with the "snooty" or "snobbish" in mind, but comes purely from the heart and from the experience of a director who knows and cares about the real listening tastes of his audience. (You've got to admire anyone who convincingly and with conviction programs "The Holy City" alongside works by Britten and Vaughan Williams, as he did on an earlier recording for Gothic Records.) And, as reflected here, those tastes, especially in Christmas music, cover a fairly wide range--from Rutter (three pieces) to Poulenc (O magnum mysterium) to Luboff (his well-loved arrangement of the Austrian carol Still, still, still).
The opening tune indeed is by John Rutter, a setting of the 15th-century text "Sing we to this merry company", and it's quickly followed by the Luboff arrangement, Gerald Near's setting of Ding! dong! merrily on high, and the well-known Pearsall version of In dulci jubilo. The combination of familiarity and audience-favorite continues throughout the rest of the 21 selections, with classics such as Rutter's all-time most-popular What sweeter music, Elizabeth Poston's Jesus Christ the apple tree, and Poulenc's motet O magnum mysterium. But mixed in among these revered gems are many less well-known pieces, including a snazzy, bluesy Noël nouvelet arranged by Stephen Jackson, Michael Head's charming and lovely The little road to Bethlehem, and of course a Charles Wood arrangement, Once as I remember (Wood is a Jones favorite).
The choir, one of North America's treasures, always is a treat to hear, displaying not only an enormous stylistic command but also uncommon technical range and interpretive sensitivity. I've said this before, but it's still true: The soprano section would be the envy of any choir. However, the entire ensemble manages a consistent cohesiveness and sonic refinement that's rare among amateur choirs in any part of the world. Even in small details, the choir shows extraordinary care and attention--for instance, in the perfectly rendered endings to the simple but so-often-troublesome "Gloria" line in Ding! dong! merrily on high. And for sheer strength and unity of sound, listen to the choir's rendition of Holst's On this day earth shall ring. Other highlights include Bob Chilcott's Mid-winter, a setting of the Christina Rossetti text "In the bleak mid-winter" that's become an instant favorite all over the world. Jones himself contributes a very effective arrangement of O little town of Bethlehem that joins the two "competing" tunes St. Louis and Forest Green. Although I would prefer a warmer, softer-edged sound in the Poulenc to really capture the "mysterium" in the work, and slightly better-tuned tenors in some places (What sweeter music, for example), this is a first rate recording that will satisfy all listeners looking for an ideal all-around Christmas choral collection. The sound, made in Boston's Trinity Church, captures the detail of choir, organ, and occasional percussion while faithfully capturing the fullness and resonance of the church's magnificent space. --David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com
Based on Charles Dickens' 1843 classic novella, A Christmas Carol was presented annually at New York City's Paramount Theatre in Madison Square Garden from 1994 through 2003. Over its nine years, A Christmas Carol featured a slew of notable actors as “Scrooge” including F. Murray Abraham, Tim Curry, Tony Randall, Roddy McDowall (in his final role), Frank Langella, Tony Roberts, Jim Dale, and Roger Daltrey. A Christmas Carol featured a creative team of Broadway’s heavy hitters: Alan Menken, Music; Lynn Ahrens, Book and Lyrics; Mike Ockrent, Book and Direction and Susan Stroman, Choreography.
For TRACKLIST/PERFORMERS SUMMARY, please expand note below:
One of the best parts of the Halle Christmas celebration is the inclusion of the entire Halle family- the Halle and Halle Choir, as well as Halle’s Youth Choir and Children’s Choir. This lovely collection of popular, rare, and newly discovered holiday gems will bring festivity to all of your holiday gatherings. Compositions include works from film composers such as John Williams and Nigel Hess, as well as choral superstars like John Rutter and John Gardner. Especially notable is the orchestral showpiece Noel!, which was written specifically for Halle and conductor Stephen Bell by Roderick Elms, and is receiving here its world premiere recording. “A lovely festive celebration and a reminder of what Christmas is all about” (Oldham Chronicle)
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TRACKLIST/PERFORMERS:
A Christmas Overture - Nigel Hess O Holy Night Adam - arr. Battiwalla * Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - John Gardner ^ In Dulci Jubilo - arr. Pearsall *^ Noel - Roderick Elms Somewhere in my Memory - John Williams ~ Fairytale Sleighride - Adam Saunders Angels’ Carol - John Rutter * Waltz, Winter Bonfire - Sergei Prokofiev Personent Hodie - arr. Gustav Holst * The Holy Boy - John Ireland Jesus Christ the Apple Tree - Elizabeth Poston ^ A Christmas Carnival - Richard Bissill In The Bleak Midwinter - Harold Darke/Christina Rossetti *^ Dance of the Tumblers - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Christmas on the Beach at Waikiki - Marta Keen arr. Alwyn Green ~ Sleighride - Leroy Anderson We wish you a Merry Christmas *^
Originally issued on the 2LP set Nativity in 1976, this classic Vox recording is a fine example of Robert Shaw’s expertise as a choral conductor. The album features a selection of carols, choral works and orchestral Christmas favourites performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Produced by the legendary Elite Recordings team of Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz, and newly remastered from the original analogue tapes in high-definition.
A Christmas Festival / Biggs, Curtin, Kostelanetz, Et Al
Sony Masterworks
CD
$17.99Jan 11, 2010
A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL is that rarity when it comes to holiday music: an album driven by more than the common theme of the music. While it does feature a host of seasonal favorites, the show stars remarkable performances, making it a joy any time of year. The album has been digitally remastered from original recordings made in the late 1960s. The first half of the album features the organ of St. Michael's Church in New York City, played by E. Power Biggs. The majesty of the room can be felt in both the rich organ tones as well as in the chorus' delivery. The second half of the album features the vocals of soprano Phyllis Curtin. In contrast to the all-male vocals of the St. Michael's performances, Curtin gives the album a refreshing female presence. Even when singing with full orchestra, her voice gives intimacy to the music.
A Christmas Festival / Rutter, RPO, Cambridge Singers
Collegium Records
CD
$18.99Oct 27, 2008
John Rutter directs the Cambridge Singers, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the award-winning Farnham Youth Choir alongside guest soloists Melanie Marshall, Clara Sanabras and Elin Manahan Thomas, for an unforgettable festival of Christmas music.
REVIEW:
Fans of John Rutter--and particularly of his Christmas music and programs--will certainly rejoice and be merry with the release of this, "the first all-new Christmas recording from John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers for 20 years". Listeners familiar with the Cambridge Singers' half-dozen or so earlier Christmas albums will be especially pleased to find the premieres of five new Rutter works and 10 new arrangements. Opening and (almost) closing the disc are two old favorites: David Willcocks' arrangements of O come all ye faithful and Hark! the herald angels sing--but with newly written fanfares by Rutter, whose annual London Christmas Festival concerts provided the idea and much of the material for this program.
As for Rutter's original pieces--Ave Maria; Rejoice and be merry; Magical Kingdom; New Year; I wish you Christmas--there are no surprises here, just more of the same instinctively tuneful lines, ingratiating, pop-flavored harmonies, and thoughtful treatment of texts that for decades have endeared his music to millions of singers and audiences. Seasoned Rutter listeners will especially savor the composer's trademark rhythmic style and harmonic changes in I wish you Christmas (which he wrote for the 2006 Festival) and New Year (a 2006 commission for Sandringham Church to celebrate the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth), for which he also wrote the texts.
Other notable entries are Bob Chilcott's The Shepherd's Carol, written in 2000 for the famed King's College service of Nine Lessons and Carols, and Nigel Hess' Christmas Overture, a tightly woven orchestral medley of traditional Christmas tunes written for the 2007 Festival that skillfully exploits both the full orchestra and the festive characteristics of the carols themselves.
There are several selections for solo voice as well, the most enjoyable of which are performed by Clara Sanabras (Rutter's setting of the Catalan carol El Noi de la Mare) and Melanie Marshall (two other Rutter arrangements, of Jester Hairston's Mary's Boy Child and the Caribbean carol The Virgin Mary had a baby boy).
In addition to the expectedly excellent performances by the Cambridge Singers, we also enjoy contributions by the fine Farnham Youth Choir on several tracks--and the Royal Philharmonic treats Rutter's orchestrations with appropriate style and enthusiasm. There's a big, festive feel to the sound and overall ambience of this production (recorded in London's Cadogan Hall), which absolutely suits the occasion--and Melanie Marshall's closing rendition of Have yourself a merry little Christmas (another Rutter arrangement) brings it all home with a nice personal blessing. A great job, and a welcome early Christmas present!
“I adore well-executed choral music for the holidays, and Gloriae Dei Cantores certainly fills the bill. Sing Noel is an outstanding. . . moving release of intensely lovely seasonal music.” —Christmasreviews.com
“One of the finest crafted, best blended, and innately musical ensembles with which I have had the pleasure to work.” — Keith Lockhart, Conductor, Boston Pops
Footprint Records is proud to present a very special Christmas gift: the album 'A Christmas Wish,' performed by the Gothenburg Youth Choir under the choral direction of Anne Johansson. The Gothenburg Youth Choir, one of Sweden's most acclaimed, consists of boys and girls between the ages of 16 and 25. Anne Johansson, who has dedicated her professional life to teaching secondary-school children to sing, is an authority on young voices. The album contains arrangements of traditional Christmas songs from Sweden and France, as well as compositions by Benjamin Britten, Max Reger, and others- it is the perfect accompaniment to the Yuletide season. The Gothenburg Youth Choir wishes you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
A Classic Christmas featuring Michael Barry and Friends, remixed and remastered, to be released on November 6, 2020. 12 tracks of Christmas favorites in classical arrangements for guitar, recorder, cello, violin and flute. Also a bonus track, Nat King Coles Christmas Song, performed by the Nat King Cole Generation Hope Summer Strings. 10% of proceeds to be donated to Nat King Cole Generation Hope to support its mission to provide music education to children with the greatest need and fewest resources. Michael Barry is a Grammy award-winning guitarist, composer and producer living, working and making music in New York City. He has performed extensively in the United States, as well as Canada, South America and Europe. A former music instructor and Executive Director of the American Institute of Guitar, he continues to explore music as a universal language and a means of bridging the gap between people of different cultures and backgrounds.
Classic Thanksgiving: Songs of Praise, It's Thanksgiving Day as I write this. The music on this CD is great for Thanksgiving, or any time of the year. "Praise My Soul," "Immortal, Invisible," and "Ave Verum Corpus" are particularly well done. The Halifax Choral Society has a nice, clear sounds. My only criticism is the omissions; how could you not have "We Gather Together" on a Thanksgiving CD?! "Now Thank We All Our God" would have been apposite as well. On the other hand, there are very few CDs devoted exclusively to Thanksgiving, where Christmas CDs are a dime a dozen, so this is a must-own. In addition, fans of Holiday music, English hymns and Baroque concertos will enjoy it at any time of the year.
![A Christmas Carol [Cast Recording]](http://arkivmusic.com/cdn/shop/files/3504563.jpg?v=1786645950&width=800)
![A Christmas Carol [Cast Recording]](http://arkivmusic.com/cdn/shop/files/3504563.jpg?v=1786645950&width=400)
