Midwinter: Songs of Christmas

Midwinter: Songs of Christmas

Track Listings

1. All That I Want

2. Back Home

3. All Through the Night

4. Cradle Hymn

5. In the Bleak Midwinter

6. Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

7. What Child Is This

8. Don't Take Down the Mistletoe

9. Silent Night

10. Empty Christmas Stocking

11. Peace

12. Merry Merry Christmas

Tracks:

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Angels We Have Heard On High
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
How Unto Bethlehem?
The Boar's Head Carol
O Tannenbaum
Masters In This Hall
My Dancing Day
Away In A Manger
Good Christian Men, Rejoice
The Holly And The Ivy
Good King Wenceslas
Wassail Song
Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
Fum, Fum, Fum
Mary Had A Baby
Hacia Belen Va Un Borrico
Christ Was Born On Christmas Day
March Of The Kings
Coventry Carol
Deck The Halls
The Cherry Tree Carol
We Three Kings Of Orient Are
Toruo-Louro-Louro!
So Blest A Sight
I Saw Three Ships
What Child Is This?
Susanni
In The Bleak Midwinter

Customer Reviews:

Much Anticipated.......2007-01-26

I have been looking for this CD for years!! Our family had a Shaw Chorale LP which contained almost all the songs on this CD. We had a number of excellent holiday albums and played all of them often, but we wore the Shaw Chorale album out! Not only are the musical renditions excellent and very similar to earlier Shaw recordings, the nostalgia evoked for this listener is incomparable!

A Taste of Heaven.......2007-01-18

I received this recording on cassette from a choral teacher, and played it so often that I wore it out! I especially appreciate the purity of sound and the arrangements in this recording. Lovers of choral music will feel as though "Songs of Angels" brings them a taste of heaven!

The Energizer Bunny.......2007-01-18

Alas that Robert Shaw is no longer with us. Throughout his long and varied career he gave us choral music with exactness,good pacing,and proper execution though not all musicologists would chose his renditions.
In "Songs of Angels" recorded in 1994 he shows us that even in later years he just kept going and going. Giving us stellar performances of masterpieces such as "Elijah","The Creation" and other large choral works. Yet in this album he shows the same attention to detail and
enraptures us with that special beauty of tone and ensemble which was
was to be Shaw's watermark on his life's offering.

Great Seasonal Album.......2006-01-16

This is one of the most impressive period albums I own. Wonderful for the holiday season. Will miss it during the rest of the year.

The Most Beautiful Sounds I Have Ever Heard.......2003-02-04

A fluid and seamless piece of heaven that transcends all classical and holiday music. This is an OUTSTANDING non-traditional Holiday CD!!! Many voices come together as one in these enchanting verses sung in languages other than English. It is just enough language mix to appease and intrigue the soul but not too much so that the listener does not understand the lyrics. For example, the English verse is sung then a verse in German and then back to English. Emmanuel is written this way. Other languages include French (Angels we Have Heard on High) and even Catalan which is a dialect of Spain.

Several of the songs were not traditional Holiday songs (at least for my generation), yet they were intriguing to learn and now I feel I know them just like the traditional ones. This CD offers a healthy mix of traditional and non-traditional songs on this CD.

If you can picture the most beautiful sounds you have ever heard you can come close to the joy this CD will bring you. It is February and I can't stop listening to it. You will not regret purchasing it&the only regret you may have is not buying all of Robert Shaw's holiday CDs.

Tracks:

Hark! the herald angels sing
The first Nowell
While Shepherds Watched
I Saw Three Ships
Ding, Dong! Merrily On High
King Jesus Hath A Garden
In Dulci Jubilo
Unto Us Is Born A Son
O Come All Ye Faithful
Away in a manger
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
The Holly And The Ivy
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
See Amid The Winter's Snow
Past Three O'clock

Tracks:

Once In Royal David's City
The Sussex Carol
Rocking
Rejoice And Be Merry
Joseph Was An Old Man
The Three Kings
As With Gladness Men Of Old
A Great And Mighty Wonder
The Infant King
Balulalow
The Crown Of Roses
Christ Was Born On Christmas Day
Blessed Be That Maid Mary
Lute-book lullaby
Myn Lyking
Personent Hodie
In the bleak mid-winter
Coventry Carol
Shepherd In The Field Abiding
Torches
Fantasia On Christmas Carols

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Carols at there best.......2005-10-18

It does not get any better. This 2 cd set is outstanding.
As one reviewer notes the second disk has many carols not heard by most people in the USA. I heard them growing up, but most are hard to find on an album.

Christmas is not Christmas without King's College Choir singing carols.

A great collection... :)

Nice Christmas CD.......2004-01-10

In my haste for looking for some traditional and exuberant Christmas music, and in my blinding affinity for all things "King's", I purchased this cd. It is a nice compelation, although I, and I daresay many Americans, am not very familiar at all with most of the hymns/carols on the 2nd cd. Morever, I found most of the music lacking in pomp and circumstance. Of course, now, I understand that is not what this cd set is for. If you want big sound and more familiar tunes, try something else.

The Best Christmas CD Ever.......1999-12-19

If you are seeking a CD of traditional Christmas music to help you 1) focus on the true meaning of the holiday and 2)draw near to God, this is it. The choral arrangements are alternately beautiful and powerful, delicate and majestic. There is a rich heritage of European carols which 99% of Americans know nothing of. Broaden your horizons with this disc. You won't regret it.

A masterpiece........1999-01-04

David Willcocks has produced, without question, the most elegant and dignified collection of Christmas choral music available. This CD is a masterpiece.

You need one traditional Xmas cd - this is it........1998-11-30

Yes, most of the stuff was originally recorded in the 50's and 60's and it's not going to win prizes for signal to noise ratio. However, if you, like me break out in a sweat hunting for a xmas cd which won't contain some desperate wannabe modernised rehash of carols or a "listen to me aren't I a good tenor/diva and by the way here are some carols?" tracks, then this is your album.

Tracks:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The First Nowell
While Shepherds Watched
I Saw Three Ships
Ding Dong! Merrily On High
King Jesus Has A Garden
In Dulci Jubilo
Unto Us Is Born A Son
O Come , All Ye Faithful
Away In A Manger
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
The Holly And The Ivy
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
See Amid The Winter's Snow
Past Three O' Clock
Invitatory
Adam Lay Ybounden
Gabriel's Message

Tracks:

Once In Royal David's City
Sussex Carol
Rocking
Rejoice And Be Merry
The Cherry Tree Carol
The Three Kings
As With Gladness Men Of Old
A Great And Mighty Wonder
The Infant King
Balulalow
The Crown Of Roses
Christ Was Born On Christmas Day
Blessed Be That Maid Mary
Lute-Book Lullaby
Myn Lyking
Personent Hodie
In The Bleak Mid-Winter
Coventry Carol
Shepherds In The Field Abiding
Torches
Fantasia On Christmas Carols

Average customer rating:

all Christmas,all the Time
Title makes a big claim, but it absolutely delivers...
Its time to be seasonal

The Best Carols in the World...Ever!

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
50 Most Loved Christmas Carols
Carols from Trinity
Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity
A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale

ASIN: B00002438U
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Angels We Have Heard Ye On High - Sir David Willcocks
I Saw Three Ships - Sir David Willcocks
The First Nowell - Philip Ledger
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Sir David Willcocks
While Shepherds Watched - Sir David Willcocks
A Virgin Unspotted - Andrew Parrott
Once In A Royal David's City - John Rutter
In The Bleak Midwinter - Sir David Willcocks
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - David Bell
In Dulci Jubilo - John Rutter
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Philip Ledger
Past Three O'Clock - Sir David Willcocks
The Coventry Carol - Mediaeval Baebes
Away In A Manger - Sir George Thalben-Ball
Nativity Carol - John Rutter
Unto Us Is Born A Son - David Bell
Silent Night - Sir David Willcocks
Ding Dong Merrily On High - Sir David Willcocks
We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Sir David Willcocks
The Lord At First Did Adam Make - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Up! Good Christen Folk And Listen - Sir David Willcocks
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - John Rutter
O Little One Sweet - Sir David Willcocks
O Come, O Come Emmanuel - David Bell
The Twelve Days Of Christmas - John Rutter

Tracks:

Good King Wenceslas - David Bell
Cherry Tree Carol - Sir David Willcocks
Joy To The World - David Bell
Here We Come A-Wassailing - John Rutter
See Amid The Winter's Snow - Sir David Willcocks
Gaudete - Mediaeval Baebes
The Holly And The Ivy - Sir David Willcocks
We've Been A While A-Wandering - Sir David Willcocks
We Three Kings Of Orient Are - David Bell
Shepherd's Pipe Carol - John Rutter
Masters In This Hall - Sir David Willcocks
The Babe Of Bethlehem - Andrew Parrott
A Spotless Rose - Philip Ledger
Angel Tidings - John Rutter
When An Angel Host Entuned - Sir David Willcocks
As With Gladness Men Of Old - David Bell
Adam Lay Ibounden - Mediaeval Baebes
The Coming Of Our King - John Rutter
Christ Was Born On Christmas Day - Sir George Thalben-Ball
A Christmas Carol - Sir David Willcocks
Sans Day Carol - John Rutter
Gabriel's Message - Sir David Willcocks
The Chester Carol - Robert Tear
Rocking - Sir David Willcocks
Methinks I See An Heav'nly Host - Andrew Parrott
Angels From The Realms Of Glory - David Bell
O Come, All Ye Faithful - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge

Customer Reviews:

all Christmas,all the Time.......2007-01-10

This two cd offering has almost all my favorites.the classics, not the Rudolph ones. Can't recommend enough.Listen and read Dickens...That's enough Christmas for anyone.

Title makes a big claim, but it absolutely delivers..........2006-12-02

This album provides 2.5 hours of excellent carols, from excellent choirs and soloists, and with great sound. I was worried that a compilation this large, and with such an extravagent title, would be B-side offerings, but that's not the case at all.

This isn't an album if you are looking for something "fresh and new." The arrangements are traditional, and even newer carols are done in a fairly conservative style. But that said, some of the pieces provide the best orchestration and voice arrangement I have ever heard. This is like the pinnacle of the classic English Christmas carol; clean, precise, glorious and celebratory.

Its time to be seasonal.......2005-12-16

This album contains traditional carols performed in a traditional way at the best quality. It is an excellent album to ensure the spirit of christmas is present and to bring the true meaning of christmas back. The double CD selection has all the golden favourites as well as not so wellknown carols to complete a very good christmas album. Merry Christmas to you all!

Average customer rating:

Great harmonies, great choices of Christmas music
...and 1/2 ... Lovely and creative works that twinkle like colorful lights on a Christmas tree

Midwinter: Songs of Christmas
Misty River
Manufacturer: Misty River
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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Willow
Rising
Live at the Backgate Stage
Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration
A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection

ASIN: B0006SSS0U
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Tracks:

All That I Want
Back Home
All Through the Night
Cradle Hymn
In the Bleak Midwinter
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
What Child Is This
Don't Take Down the Mistletoe
Silent Night
Empty Christmas Stocking
Peace
Merry Merry Christmas

Customer Reviews:

Great harmonies, great choices of Christmas music.......2007-01-04

Misty River's four members each bring different elements of voice; their harmony is close and varied; there are leads by each member. The group consists of string bass, accordian, fiddle/guitar and guitar. They blend beautifully. There's a hint of humor in their music. some of this album is traditional, some they've written, some is songs I hadn't heard before from other artists.

...and 1/2 ... Lovely and creative works that twinkle like colorful lights on a Christmas tree.......2005-12-12

Playing Time - 40:02 -- Remember when, before 1980, that every major artist had a Christmas album? Then, record labels and radio programmers cut back on holiday music. Fortunately, the dearth only lasted about a decade before Christmas music experienced a major resurgence. With the 2004 release of Misty River's "Midwinter," Santa's reindeer and elves have much to rejoice. My favorite Christmas albums have a healthy dose of angelic singing, sparkling instrumental work, and meditative messages. Misty River succeeds on all counts, with their lovely and creative works that twinkle like colorful lights on a Christmas tree.

Guitarist Doug Smith offers some buoyant lead work on "All Through the Night" and "What Child is This." If I'd been producing "Midwinter," I might've recommended a few additional seasonal instruments in the mix. For some reason, I just heard a song like "Cradle Hymn" embellished with the likes of perhaps some hammered dulcimer, concertina, whistle and/or flute. There's a story behind this beautiful song that was learned from a Seeger Family holiday recording. Misty River dedicates the song to Eva and Nina, twins born prematurely to well-known Northwest musician Leah Larson. While Eva lived only a few short weeks, she will be forever remembered as they sing "Hush my babe, lie still and slumber...all the angels guard thy bed...."

When one listens to "Midwinter," we become akin to close friends of the four women in the band. Their confident voices immediately command our rapt attention. The surprise treats in our stocking, however, are the four notable originals on this album. Perhaps it was a band-imposed homework assignment, but it's an exceptional statement about the band members' creative energy in that each of the four contributes an original self-penned song. Laura Quigley's "Back Home" is an enchanting ballad with a nice melodic bounce. Chris Kokesh's "Don't Take Down the Mistletoe" just reinforces why she is an award-winning songwriter. "Peace," composed by Dana Abel, is a call to children for a coming together beyond the horizon. Carol Harley's "Merry Merry Christmas" is the one-minute a cappella closer with their wishes for your good health, long life, happiness, and holidays filled with cheer. "Midwinter" is an album with warm and pleasant sounds for a fireside Christmas with your families and friends. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album 2

Average customer rating:

Great

The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album 2

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Christmas Adagios
Simply the Best Christmas Album
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O Come All Ye Faithful: Christmas Carols at King's College, Cambridge

ASIN: B000B8I918
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

Still, Still, Still - Musica Sacra
The First Noel - Mantovani & His Orchestra
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Mantovani & His Orchestra
Panis Angelicus - Kiri Te Kanawa
Cradle Song - John Rutter
Suo Gan - Choir Of St. John's College
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Eric Rogers Choir & Orchestra
Ave Maria - Luciano Pavarotti
In The Bleak Midwinter - Anthony Way
Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head - Trapp Family Singers
Away In The Manger - Choir Of St. John's College
Mary's Lullaby - John Rutter
While Shepherds Watched - Mantovani & His Orchestra
Carol Of The Drum - Trapp Family Singers
Jingle Bells - Mantovani & His Orchestra
The Twelve Days Of Christmas - Mantovani & His Orchestra
Once In Royal David's City - Mantovani & His Orchestra
The Crown Of Roses - John Rutter
Silent Night - Anthony Way
In Paradisum (From Requiem) - Choir Of St. John's College

Customer Reviews:

Great.......2007-01-09

The music was just as the title stated relaxing. The songs were not just a recording of an existing song.

Average customer rating:

Christmas Adagios
christmas adagios
Nice Background for the Holidays
One of my very top 5 favorite holiday albums!
Wonderful POCOCAT?

Christmas Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005NY7D
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

O Holy Night - Leontyne Price
Ave Maria - Luciano Pavarotti
In The Bleak Midwinter - Rosemary Joshua/Ian Bostridge
Coventry Carol - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
Away In A Manger - Mark Tinkler
Gabriel's Message - The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College, Cambridge
Pastoral Sinfonia - Academy Of St Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
Il S'en Va Loin De La Terre - Acadamy And Chorus Of St Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
Panis Angelicus - Kiri Te Kanawa
Schlafe, Mein Liebster - Marilyn Horne
Wiegenlied - Renata Tabaldi
O Jesu So Meek - Simon Preston
While Shepherds Watched - Stephen Cleobury
Susser Trost, Mein Jesus Kommt - Agnes Giebel
Lute Concerto, RV 93: Largo - Eduardo Fernandez
Alma Redemptoris Mater - Julian Podger
O Magnum Mysterium - John Angelo Messana
Zastupnitse Userdnaya - St Petersburgh Chamber Choir/Nikolai Korniev
Iubi-Te-voi (I Will Love Thee, O Lord) - Angela Gheorghiu/Romanian National CHamber Choir 'Madrigal'/Constantin Marin
Once In Royal David's City - Robin Barter/David Briggs
O Tannenbaum - Vienna Boys Choir/Uwe Christian Harrer
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks

Tracks:

Stille Nacht - The Bach Choir/David Willcockes
Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Katherine Fuge/Nicola Jenkin/Elinor Carter/Julian Podger
Winter, RV 297: Largo - Alan Loveday
The First Nowell - The Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
In Dulci Jubilo - The Bach Choir/David Willcocks
The Three Kings - Gerald Finley
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen - Monteverdi Choir
Still, Still, Still - Ian Bostridge
The Crown Of Roses - The Choir Of Clare College, Cambridge/John Rutter
Christmas Concerto, Op.6 No.8: Largo Pastorale - Academy Of Saint Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
The Lamb - Monteverdi Choir/John Eliot Gardiner
Balulalow - Anthony Way/Lucy Wakeford/St Paul's Cathedral Choir/John Scott
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
Mille Cherubini In Coro - Luciano Pavarotti
Vesperae Solennes De Confessore, K.339: Laudate Dominum - Kiri Te Kanawa
The Infant King - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
Lullaby My Jesus - The Choir Of Winchester Cathedral/David Hill
What Child Is This? - Anthony Way/Tom Finucane
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle - L'Orchestra De La Suisse Romande/Richard Bonynge
See Amid The Winter's Snow - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
The Blessed Son Of God - The Choir Of Winchester Cathedral/David Hill
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - Leontyne Price
White Christmas - Kiri Te Kanawa/London Voices

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Adagios.......2007-03-03

This is the BEST Christmas collection that I have ever heard. I would like
to purchase 15 more to give as gifts this year; however, it appears that
Decca is out of stock or no longer releasing it. HELP!!

christmas adagios.......2007-01-14

this was one of the best assortment of classical holiday songs that i have ever heard. it contains a marvelous array of the best composers and performers that the world has to offer. if you are a fan of classical music, i think this cd will be a positive addition to your music collection

Nice Background for the Holidays.......2007-01-11

Beautiful Adagios and a rich selection for the price. Audio travels to Vienna, London, Cambridge etc

One of my very top 5 favorite holiday albums!.......2005-11-19

What a delightful surprise this 2 disc album was and I'm not a big fan of Christmas music. I loved all the selections and felt they were well performed. This is a true "must have" for any Christmas collection. Superior to many other compliations on the market. This one is a keeper! It is the one album I'll pick first to listen to after Thanksgiving.

Wonderful POCOCAT?.......2005-07-16

Great CD. The reviewer who calls him/herself POCOCAT says he/she is an opera singer. Wonder how much work an uninformed singer gets?
A "fast spinning" vibrato,as you describe Ms. Price, is not the same as a wide vibrato. The former is a speed issue, the latter a width issue. Therefore, 4 variables exist: fast, slow, wide, slim. Thus, 4 types of voice exist: fast/wide, fast/slim, slow/wide, and slow/slim. Most often a singer leans toward fast/slim or slow/wide, in varying degrees. A matter of taste, yes, but learn more about the voice before you expound.

Average customer rating:

CD 1 WRONG MUSIC
CD 1 Wrong Music

Best Loved Christmas Carols

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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O Come All Ye Faithful: Christmas Carols at King's College, Cambridge
Carols from Trinity
Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
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Heavenly Voices

ASIN: B0002YLD1O
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

Once In Royal David's City
Angels, From The Realms Of Glory
Adam Lay Ybounden
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
In Dulci Jubilo
The First Nowell
I Saw Three Ships
Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?
Quam Pastoras Laudavere
Personent Hodie
The Holy And The Ivy
A Spotless Rose
Away In A Manger
While Sheperds Watched
Tomarrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Up! Good Christian Folk And Listen
In The Bleak Midwinter
Ding Dong! Merrily On High
Silent NIght
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
The Three Kings
I Saw A Maiden
Sussex Carol
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Tracks:

Matin Responsory: I Look From Afar
Come, Thour Redeemer Of The Earth
I Wonder As I Wander
The Cherry Tree Carol
Gabriel's Message
Sussex Carol
Stille Nacht!
Chester Carol
A Babe Is Born, Op. 53
A Maiden Most Gentle
I Sing Of A Maiden
Myn Lyking
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
A Child Is Born In Bethlehem
Hodie Christus Natus Est
Hosanna To The Son Of David
Gloria In Excelsis Deo
When To The Temple Mary Went
Angelus Ad Virginem
Angelus Ad Virginem
Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Jesus Christ The Apple Tree
That Lord That Lay In Asse Stall
In Dulci Jubilo
In Dulci Jubilo: Chorale Prelude

Amazon.com

Originally recorded between 1964 and 1985, this generous 2-CD compilation ranges from carols dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries to timeless, mostly traditional popular favorites. The arrangers include such eminent composers as Vaughan Williams, Gustav and Imogene Holst, Arthur Sullivan, Peter Cornelius, and Felix Mendelssohn, as well as the Choir's own Directors, David Wilcocks and Philip Ledger. The 50 carols are carefully chosen for maximum contrast of tempo, mood and character; the settings, too, endeavor to create variety of texture and dynamics between the often numerous verses by alternately using solos and choruses, male, female and combined voices, creating cumulative build-ups, and adding a descant to the final strophe. However, even all these techniques and devices tend to become predictable, so it may be advisable to enjoy the program in judicious doses. Among these riches, listeners will find their own favorites, but it may be worth noting that "Silent Night" appears twice, once in English and once in German, and that two of the most famous carols--"O come, all ye faithful" and "Hark! The herald angels sing"--are accompanied by a very loud brass band playing fanfares with incongruous, "up-dated" harmonies--the only false note in the program. By contrast, the organ, employed in several introductions, as well as to provide powerful chordal support and all kinds of tinkling, bell-like effects never seems out of style or character. The singing is splendid. Basically "white," without vibrato, the sound has a wonderfully pure, truly celestial quality, but can rise to full, rich, ringing sonorities in the climaxes. Intonation, balance and ensemble are impeccable, the soloists are excellent. The reverberant acoustics of the Chapel of King's College, where the recordings were made, cushion the voices without obscuring the clarity of the lines. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

CD 1 WRONG MUSIC.......2004-12-31

I was very disappointed when I listened to CD 1 and realised it was club music.Having now read the other review I don't think I will get satisfaction,therefore I cannot rate this item properly.

Errol
Barbados,West Indies

CD 1 Wrong Music.......2004-12-21

I put the CD in and was met by club music, I thought maybe it was some strange take on "Morning in the City of David" nope, the CD had been burned with the wrong image. I sent it back and received a new copy, it had the same issue. I listened to the second CD and loved ever moment of it, but until EMI/Amazon can rectify this issue, I cannot fairly rate it.

Average customer rating:

Magic of Christmas

Manufacturer: Cbc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B00000DCR2
Release Date: 2001-07-01

Tracks:

O Come, All Ye Faithful
Adam Lay Ybounden
Es Ist Ein 'Ros' Entspurngen
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Gabriel's Message
Magnificat
I Sing Of A Maiden
Still, Still, Still
I Saw A Maiden
Silent Night
Huron Carol
What Is This Lovely Fragrance
Rise Up, Sheperd, And Follow
In The Bleak Mid-Winter
The Three Kings
Carol Of The Children
What Sweeter Music
Hodie Christus Natus Est
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
Personent Hodie
God Is With Us
In Dulci Jubilo
A New Year Carol
We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Average customer rating:

In a vast flood of Celtic Christmas discs - this is the best

Christmas Songs for Midwinter
Poor Clares
Manufacturer: Centaur
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Change of Habit
Resurrected Lover

ASIN: B000009NMD
Release Date: 1998-11-01

Tracks:

The Moon Shines Bright
Trinquez
A Blessing
I Wonder As I Wander
Flanagan's Frozen Well/Christmas Eve
Seven Rejoices Of Mary
Cherry Tree Carol
Ny Kirree Fo Niaghtey
The Holly Bears A Berry
Nollaig Shona
Tree Of Life
Shuheen, Shu
Remember The Poor
Simple Gifts/Lord Of The Dance
The Reawakening
Gloucestershire Wassail

Customer Reviews:

In a vast flood of Celtic Christmas discs - this is the best.......1998-09-25

You can always judge how popular some genre is by the number of Christmas recordings which are released. Unfortunately, it is painfully obvious that most are "bandwagon" attempts. This disc is different. The beauty and warmth of the Poor Clares presentation is breath-taking. A mug of hot, mulled wine couldn't be more seasonally appropriate than this music. Here's one to savor. Betsy McGovern's voice is soulful and the instrumental accompaniment is bright and exciting. Buy two and give one to a friend for Christmas.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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