The Ebor Singers, with director Paul Gameson, returns to the Resonus Classics label with an album of American Christmas music. The contemporary American Christmas choral tradition is a remarkable confluence of stylistic confluences, sacred and secular, which reflect the country’s cultural vibrancy more so than other times of year. Featuring works from composers including Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, Stephen Paulus, Susan LaBarr, Abbie Betinis, Timothy C. Takach, Jake Runestad, Matthew Culloton, René Clausen, Alfred Burt, Dan Forrest and Melissa Dunphy, the ensemble is joined by harpist Rachel Dent and oboist Jane Wright.

Deluxe edition in lavish packaging and an extensive booklet lovingly furnished with full-color pictures, including complete vocal texts. This recording from 1974/1975, which was highly praised by the specialist press, unites outstanding soloists (Arleen Auger, Annelies Burmeister, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Michael Wittig) with the Dresdner Kreuzchor and the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra (first trumpeter is once again Ludwig Guttler). Under the direction of Martin Flamig, the ensemble reaches top form here. Radiant chorales, yet with great attention to detail, and powerful arias characterize the recording, which also leaves little to be desired in terms of recording technology. A well-balanced overall sound, clear weighting of vocal solos and orchestral accompaniment. The members of the orchestra deserve to be mentioned individually, as each instrument is excellently cast.

Take time in the summer to think about the winter, country folk would say. That is just as true of CD albums compiled to celebrate the happiest days of the year. In this record-breaking sultry summer, Ludwig Guttler has been giving some thought to how to celebrate the 200th anniversary in 2018 of this global song appropriately. "It is one of the first carols I learned to play on the accordion, a present I was given for Christmas after my fifth birthday," recalls Ludwig Guttler, who remembers that when he was a child, everybody sang along. In fact it took him a long time to understand how anybody sitting in church could stay still to the sound of "Stille Nacht". In addition to the best recordings from his gigantic catalogue, there are also recordings that have not yet been publihed: Guttler has arranged "Silent Night, Holy Night!" for his brass ensemble, clad each of the six verses in an instrumental garb of it's own and recorded it in the summer in Zwettl in Austria.

On the snow-swept island of Skiathos, a miraculous Christmas Eve unfolds. Weaving together spoken word with song, this recording brings to life To Christ, at the Castle by the Dostoevsky of Greece, Alexandros Papadiamantis. Papa Frangouli and his flock brave treacherous seas and cliffs to reach a neglected sanctuary, where they kindle fires that illuminate ancient frescoes. But as the Divine Liturgy begins, shipwrecked sailors cry for rescue, demanding another act of courage. Composed by Kyriakos Kalaitzidis following the eight modes of Byzantine chant and sung in rhyming, fifteen-syllable Greek verse by author Vasiliki Nevrokopli, Christmas at the Castle tells an epic story: how a broken promise and unexpected adversity lead to redemption and celebrations of unforeseen grandeur on Christmas Eve.

Classical Music

John Mccutcheon'S Four Seasons: Wintersongs

It'S Christmas, Man!

Classical Music

French star trumpet player Lucienne Renaudin Vary releases Jardins d'Hiver, a relaxed and laid back winter album. Lucienne's idea for Winter Gardens was to recreate a cozy atmosphere, as if she invites her fans to a hygge home concert. Repertoire includes: Blane Ralph, Martin Hugh, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, perfect for Christmas playlisting, Antonin Dvor�k: Slavonic Dance Op. 72, Johann Sebastian Bach: Badinerie. All tracks arranged for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra. Album was recorded with Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, conducted by Sascha Goetzel.

Norwegian band performs a live Christmas concert, feat. holiday faves played New Orleans style.

Jim Galloway returns for this second collection of Christmas songs on Sackville. This 1992 quartet session also features pianist Jay McShann. There is a mysterioso version of "Silent Night", imaginative arrangements of hackneyed popular songs ("Rudolph" and "Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), sensitive ballads ("White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song"), jazz flavored tunes ("Christmas in New Orleans" and "Harlem") and a couple of McShann's specialties, a rhythm based romp ("Christmas Candy") and a reworking of traditional blues ideas ("Christmas Baby"). Previously released in 1993 with a different barcode: 778133305421

A Christmas album for all seasons! Ralph Sutton is one of the greatest stride and classic jazz pianists of all time. Milt Hinton became famous for "slapping" the bass and being the most recorded jazz musician appearing on well over 1,000 sessions. Gus Johnson also appeared on many sessions playing drums behind Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Jay McShann, Ralph Sutton and many more. Born in Scotland in 1936 soprano saxophonist Jim Galloway is the youngest of the band (by fourteen years!) and has been active on the Canadian jazz scene since the mid '60s. This 1986 recording is one of the best-selling and most popular jazz Christmas albums. And for good reason: these musicians are truly all stars!

Classical Music

The Christmas concerts of Chanticleer are an institution in the USA, and international tours and recordings have made the brilliant male-voice ensemble, based in San Francisco, familiar to audiences all over the world. As Gramophone has written, "Chanticleer, it seems, can sing just about anything," and Chanticleer sings Christmas bears that out, embracing traditional carols and gospel numbers, plainsong, European and Mexican music of the 16th and 17th centuries, and composers and arrangers of the present day.

Classical Music

A Christmas staple for households all around the world for decades, this wonderful collection of Pavarotti's most festive music is a treasured recording. This album captures the essence of the season with a collection of timeless carols and sacred songs, including the triumphant "Adeste Fideles," year-round favorites such as Schubert's "Ave Maria," and the titular "O Holy Night." Pavarotti's rendition of "O Holy Night" is a stunning celebration of Christmas, showcasing the legendary tenor's unmatched vocal brilliance. The perfect Christmas gift for established Pavarotti fans and those discovering his music for the first time alike, O Holy Night offers a stirring, joyful soundtrack to the festive season.

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with the reissue of two historic albums by The RIAS Kammerchor. The famous Berlin choir revisits some of the loveliest pieces of music ever devoted to the Nativity and the tutelary figure of Mary.

Classical Music

The holiday season usually brings an expected harvest of albums. But, every once in a while, a seasonal release seeks to surprise, delight and refresh our love for the music of snow and celebration in a new way. Grammy Award winning multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and composer Ted Nash and singular singer/songwriter Kristen Lee Sergeant have brought something of this high caliber to the party in Holidays: a markedly distinctive record for the season. Ted Nash is well known as a bandleader and as a member and arranger for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. He is paired with Kristen Lee Sergeant, a vocalist and songwriter who has been singled out for her intelligent lyrics and dramatic styling of song. Nash and Sergeant aren't just occasional partners on the bandstand (Nash has appeared in several of Sergeant's releases), they are partners in life with all that entails, including a collaboration in wine called Two Notes, now in it's fourth vintage.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Bobby's Christmas favorites artfully arranged for guitar and other instruments. You'll enjoy this one for seasons to come.

Aptly titled, this collection offers songs for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Las Posadas (the traditional Mexican remembrance of Mary's search for an inn), and Christmas. The recording was produced by Gary Daigle. Celebrate the season with this wonderful music!

Classical Music

Classical Music