A full-throated and robust celebration of Christmas from the 160-voice Pacific Chorale! “Christmas Time is Here” is a marvelous compilation of colorful arrangements for choir with instrumental accompaniment from brass, harp and percussion. You will find many traditional carols in inventive, original, arrangements culminating in a joyful listening experience!

Pacific Chorale has delighted national and international audiences with concerts of great choral music performed at the highest musical standards since 1968. Under the artistic leadership of John Alexender, Pacific Chorale produces a series of concerts each year at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, where it serves as the resident choir.

Pacific Chorale has received numerous awards, including Chorus America’s prestigious “Margaret Hills Achievement Award for Choral Excellence” and the first national “Education Outreach Award”. Arts Orange County honored the Choral with the 2002 “Outstanding Arts Organization (Music)” Award, and the Orange County Department of Education presented the Chorale with its 2002 “Outstanding Contributions to Education” Award. In 2005, Pacific Chorale received the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Alice Parker Award for adventurous programming.

1. En etsi valtaa loistoa (1)(4) 3:25
2. Kun joulu on (5)(6) 2:29
3. Joulun kellot (9)(10) 2:39
4. Maa on niin kaunis 2:43
5. Sylvian joululaulu (5)(6) 2:47
6. Kuului laulu enkelten 2:14
7. Adeste fideles (9)(10) 3:09
8. Jouluyö, juhlayö (5)(14) 4:13
9. Psallat scholarum concio 1:48
10. Heinillä härkien kaukalon (5)(6) 3.37
11. Me käymme joulun viettohon (5)(6) 2:11
12. Maria, Herran piikanen 1:49
13. Varpunen jouluaamuna (5)(6) 3:52
14. Arkihuolesi kaikki heitä (9)(10) 1:50
15. Joudu, satakiel’ 3:24
16. Mökit nukkuu lumiset (5)(6) 3:50
17. Oi, jouluyö (9)(10) 4:02
18. Ave maris stella 1:55
19. Ja neitsyt pikku poijuttansa (5)(6) 1:40
20. Katso, ihme taivainen 1:20
21. On hanget korkeat nietokset (9)(10) 2:28
22. Kun joulu valkeneepi 1:37
23. Taas kaikki kauniit muistot (5)(6) 2:25
24. Jouluna Jumala syntyi 1:50

[ 65:05 ]

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (1)
Jorma Hynninen, baritone !
Tapiola Choir !
Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra (5)
Monica Groop, mezzosoprano !
Jyväskylä Sinfonia (9)
Raimo Sirkiä, tenor !
Vox Aurea !
Savonlinna Opera Festival Chorus !
Matti Salminen, bass !
Turku Castle Chamber Choir !
Sympaatti Youth Choir !

Jorma Panula, conductor (4)
Markus Lehtinen, conductor (6)
Pertti Pekkanen, conductor (10)
Kyösti Haatanen, conductor (14)

1. Kun joulu on/Christmas is Come 2:29
2. Mökit nukkuu lumiset/Snowbound Cottages Sleep 3:50
3. Jouluyö, juhlayö/Silent Night, Holy Night 3:01
4. Heinillä härkien kaukalon/There in the Hay of the Ox's Stall 3:37
5. Jul, jul strålande jul/Yule, Yule, Radiant Yule 3:44
6. Betlehems stjärna/Star of Bethlehem 3:43
7. Marie Wiegenlied/Maria's Lullaby 2:15
8. Arkihuolesi kaikki heitä/Cast off Thy Everyday Cares 1:49
9. Taas kaikki kauniit muistot 2:25
10. Sylvian joululaulu/Sylvia's Carol 2:47
11. Ja neitsyt pikku poijuttansa/The Virgin Rocks Her Baby Boy 1:40
12. Te lapsoset, lapsoset kiiruhtakaa/Hurry, Children 3:42
13. Varpunen jouluaamuna/A Sparrow on Christmas Morning 3:52
14. Kristuslapsen kehtolaulu/The Christchild's Lullaby 3:49
15. Schlafendes Jesuskind/The Sleeping Christchild 3:04
16. Nun wandre Maria/Make Your Way, Maria 2:43
17. O Jesulein süß/O Little Jesus 2:54
18. Ave Maria/Hail Mary 2:37

Monica Groop, mezzosoprano
Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
Sympaatti Youth Choir

Markus Lehtinen, conductor

Christmas in Ainola
Christmas Carols by Jean Sibelius and other Christmas songs

Hynninen, Groop, Tapiola Choir, etc.

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
1. En etsi valtaa loistoa, op. 1 / We Ask For Nothing Rich Or Rare 3:25
2. On hanget korkeat nietokset, op. 1 / The Shining Snows Are Driven High 2:28
3. Jo joutuu ilta, op. 1 Christmas Carol / O'er Hill And Dale 2:06
4. Joulu saapuu portin luo, op. 1 / Now Stands Yule at the Snowy Gate 1:46
5. Tervehtii jo meitä, op.1 / Now is Christmas Coming 2:46
6. Joululaulu (Nyt seimelle pienoisen lapsen) 2:15
7. Andante festivo 4:17

Leevi Madetoja (1887-1947)
8. Arkihuolesi kaikki heitä / Cast Off Thy Everyday Cares 1:49
9. Enkelien joululaulu (Ylistäkää Jumalaa, taivas ja maa) 1:56

Piae Cantiones
10. Ecce novum gaudium 1:53
11. Angelus emittitur 1:59

Luther
12. Enkeli taivaan lausui näin / From Heaven Above 2:42

Trad.
13. Maa on niin kaunis / The Earth is Beautiful 2:21

Piae Cantiones
14. Psallat scholarum concio 1:46
15. Ave maris stella 1:55

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
16-17. Sonatina op.80
16. Andantino (4:28)
17. Lento-Allegretto-Vivace (3:56)

Trad.
18. Kuului laulu enkelten / Angels, from the Realms of Glory 2:14

Otto Kotilainen (1868 - 1936)
19. Kun joulu on / At Christmastide 2:35

Trad.
20. Joulupuu on rakennettu / The Christmas Tree 1:31
21. No onkos tullut kesä / Is It Suddenly Summer? 1:18

Johann Strauss (1804-1849)
22. Radetzky-marssi / Radetzky March 2:42

Tapiola Choir (1)
Jorma Hynninen, baritone (1)
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (1)
Raimo Sirkiä, tenor (2,19)
Jyväskylä Sinfonia (2,19)
Ritva-Liisa Korhonen, soprano (3)
Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra (3)
Chamber Choir Kampin laulu (4,5,9-13,20,21)
Pertti Eerola, organ (4,5,12,13)
Jubilate Choir (6)
Virtuosi di Kuhmo (7)
Monica Groop, mezzosoprano (8)

Turku Castle Chamber Choir (14,15)
Yoshiko Arai, violin (16,17)
Eero Heinonen, piano (16,17)
Marita Viitasalo, piano (22)

Jorma Panula, conductor (1)
Pertti Pekkanen, conductor (2,19)
Kyösti Haatanen, conductor (3)
Timo Lehtovaara, conductor (4,5,9-13,20,21)
Astrid Riska, conductor (6)
Peter Csaba, conductor (7)
Markus Lehtinen, conductor (8)
Heikki Seppänen, conductor
Erkki Pohjola, conductor
[ 56:00 ]

Classical Music

The world-class vocal ensemble Chicago a cappella does Christmas choral music fans a real service by daring to create a program entirely of contemporary (primarily within the last 20 or so years) works that defy the usual and predictable holiday concert choices that guarantee instant audience familiarity and gratification (not that there's anything wrong with those beloved, treasured standards!). Most of the works featured here require a bit more-than-usual attention from listeners--the composers and arrangers obviously approached such common texts as "What sweeter music", "Il est Né, le Divin Enfant", "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", "Noël nouvelet", "I wonder as I wander", "Lo Yisa Goy", and "The Huron Carol" with an idea to say something that hadn't already been said. And they do--splendidly. Then we have entirely original pieces by Stephen Paulus (Splendid Jewel--from a 14th-century Italian text), Gwyneth Walker (The Christ-child's Lullaby--inspired by a traditional Hebridean song), Richard Proulx (Prayer of the Venerable Bede--from a text found on the wall of Galilee Chapel in Durham Cathedral), and Danish composer Per Nørgård (En stjerne er sat--a dialogue between the Angel and the shepherds).

It's a tribute to the power of the Christmas story and to its enduring, compelling fascination for composers that the best of them continue--more than 2000 years later--to devote their efforts to writing music to recognize and celebrate the birth of Christ. And we are fortunate to have choirs of this caliber to bring this music to us in a context that presents it most favorably and gives it a permanent presence in our listening repertoire.

Another of the disc's strengths is the sheer variety of music, from the Nigerian setting of the text "For unto us a child is born" by Christian Onyeji, to Rosephanye Powell's "spiritual-like" Who is the baby?, to Yemeni composer Chaim Parchi's alluring Chanukah tune "Aleih Neiri", arranged for choir by Zamir Chorale of Boston founder Joshua Jacobson. The nine singers of Chicago a cappella are absolutely right-on in every respect, and the sound is ideal. This is an unqualified success, a holiday treat, a musical bounty that will both challenge and enliven your Christmastime listening. Highly recommended!

--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

Classical Music

Crary is as well known to smooth jazz fans for his solo release, "Thunderation" as he is to the bluegrass community as a world class flatpicker. Holiday Guitar mixes these styles flawlessly for a Crary Christmas tour de force. Highlights include "Santa Baby," "Silver Bells," "The Little Drummer Boy" and much more.

There was a time, perhaps not too long ago, when the holiday season didn't seem quite so loud... Back then, or so we imagine, the holidays were as soothing and calm as a winter landscape after a snowfall... On this recording, harpist Ayako Shinozaki (with occasional help from Kazuko Shinozaki, also on harp) takes us back to the holiday season we wish we could remember, a time of almost contemplative intimacy. The songs and carols presented here, all arranged by Hiroshi Aoshima, run the gamut from the ancient to the modern... elegantly arranged and elegantly performed on the instrument of the angels.
-- Jackson Braider

Includes work(s) by William Ferris. Ensemble: William Ferris Chorale. Conductor: Paul French.

CHRISTMAS WITH WINCHESTER COLLEGE CHAPEL CHOIR

Sara Macliver, soprano
Winchester College Chapel Choir
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
William Lacey, conductor
Recorded live at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, 22-23 December 2004

Picture format: NTSC 4:3
Sound format: PCM Stereo / AC3 5.1 / DTS
Region code: 0 (all)
Booklet notes: English, German (sung text included)
Running time: 102 mins
No. of DVDs: 1

* This selection of music for Christmas brings together East and West in the collaboration of Winchester College Chapel Choir and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Recorded live in Hong Kong in December 2004, this disc features a selection of perennial favourites from the Baroque period, including Bach cantatas and Handel’s Messiah, and three exquisite modern carols.

Chapter 1:
Arcangelo Corelli: Concerto Grosso, Op. 6 No. 8 ‘Christmas Concerto’

Chapter 2:
From Praetorius to Weir
Michael Praetorius: Come, thou Redeemer of the earth
Richard Rodney Bennett: Out of your sleep
John Tavener: The Lamb
Judith Weir: Illuminare, Jerusalem

Chapter 3:
O Come All Ye Faithful
Anonymous, arr. Willcocks: O come all ye faithful

Chapter 4:
Works by Johann Sebastian Bach
Sinfonia from Cantata, BWV 42
Kyrie from Mass in G, BWV 236
'Herr, der du stark and mächtig bist' from Cantata, BWV 10
'Jesus bleibet meine Freude' from Cantata, BWV 147

Chapter 5:
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in F, Op. 6 No. 2

Chapter 6:
G.F. Handel: Messiah (excerpts)

Chapter 7:
Joy to the World and The First Noel
Lowell Mason, arr. Rutter: Joy to the World
Anonymous: The First Noel

Classical Music

Classical Music

Carus continues to bring previously unrecorded--and often unpublished--music to renewed life in distinguished performances and authoritative printed scores. In this case, with the disc's title and musical program the label capitalizes on the attention given to the event of the re-opening of the historic Dresden Frauenkirche, recently re-consecrated after a 10-year, multinational restoration project, returning the church (Bach played its Silbermann organ on at least one notable occasion) to its former glory following its complete destruction in the firebombing of the city near the end of World War II. In fact, this wonderful recording, filled with gorgeous, inexplicably neglected music, was made at another Dresden church, the Lukaskirche, before restoration at the Frauenkirche was complete. The point, however, is that the program--four church cantatas for Advent, Christmas, and New Year's Day--leaves nothing to be desired from a musical standpoint. These compact, expertly written works are not only functional (their primary purpose), but are enormously, immediately appealing (not a bad thing for church service music!), with grand, lively opening choruses, vibrant orchestral accompaniments, and strong, perfectly singable arias where even the brief formulaic stuff sounds absolutely right and natural.

From 1742 Gottfried August Homilius (1714-1785) was an important figure in the vital 18th-century Dresden music scene, spending most of his career as organist at the Frauenkirche and Kantor of the Kreuzschule, during which time he composed a couple of hundred church cantatas. Although he was a pupil of Bach, and some of his music retains significant (and well-learned) elements of that style, most of the works on offer here--all world-premieres--demonstrate aspects of the developing "classical" style, especially in the choral writing and use of the orchestra. And yet throughout each work, there's an interesting and invariably effective mix of baroque and classical mannerisms that makes for absorbing listening.

The singing and playing is first rate--Homilius could not have asked for better advocates of his music!--and there's a variety of scoring from cantata to cantata, ranging from double choir with soprano and tenor soloists, to single choir with SATB soloists. The cantata for Christmas Day, Ein hoher Tag kömmt, contains a wonderful trio for two sopranos and tenor, and there are excellent solo arias in each work. As mentioned, the choruses, which serve as the cantatas' opening movements, are outstanding and ideally convey the celebratory mood of their respective texts and occasions. After all of this, it probably goes without saying that the sound engineering is top-notch--full and dynamic and faithful to the Lukaskirche's space and ambience. Highly recommended. [11/15/2005]

--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

Classical Music