Upon The Mountain

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
JULIA WADE is a vocalist who spans a number of different musical genres - from classical to pop. She has performed nationally and internationally in opera, cabaret, concert work, and musical theatre. On the opera stage, Julia was featured at the Rome Opera in Kurt Weill's LADY IN THE DARK and at the Palermo Opera, where the show was televised on RAI TV throughout Italy. Julia has performed with the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Keith Lockhart at Carnegie Hall. She has also been a guest artist at Merkin Concert Hall and CAMI Hall in New York City. Julia's solo cabaret concerts have taken her across the country as well as numerous performances at Don't Tell Mama, a well-known cabaret in New York City. Julia recently recorded 3 Broadway cast albums, POMPEII, the story of the day that Mount Vesuvius erupts, AFRICA PLUMBRIDGE, and SUNDOWN, the story of the historic gunfight at the OK Corral.

PETER LINK is probably best known for his work as a composer/lyricist. He has won the NY Drama Desk Award for his work in SALVATION, out of which came his first Gold Record, IF YOU LET ME MAKE LOVE TO YOU, THEN WHY CAN'T I TOUCH YOU?, which sold over two million records. Peter is a two-time Tony Award nominee on Broadway both for his musical score of Joseph Papp's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and for his score for Neil Simon's THE GOOD DOCTOR. He is the creator, composer, director and arranger of THE JENNY BURTON EXPERIENCE - a nationally known inspirational music group. He's written for films, television, ballet, the pop world and Broadway.

Product Description
Upon The Mountain features twelve new inspirational songs sung impeccably by Julia Wade in a fusion of Pop, Classical and Folk textures that will appeal to and inspire all ages. Produced in New York City by composer Peter Link, the CD soars with beautifully crafted melodies and inspiring lyrics taken from the Bible, with orchestra and chorus.

Upon The Mountain,Julia Wade,Link Recording Studios,Christian,Upon The Mountain features twelve new inspirational songs sung impeccably by Julia Wade in a fusion of Pop, Classical and Folk textures that will appeal to and inspire all ages, and as written by award winning composer Peter Link, the CD soars with beauti

Upon The Mountain

Tracks:

Medley: Good Christian Men - Rejoice - Silent Night - Patapan - O Come - All Ye Faithful
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Shepherd's Carol
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
Medley: O Sanctissima - Joy To The World - Away In A Manger - Fum, Fum, Fum - March Of The Kings
I Wonder As I Wander
We Three Kings
My Dancing Day
Medley: What Child Is This? - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Bring A Torch - Jeanette - Isabella - Angels We Have Heard On High
Coventry Carol
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Carol Of The Bells
Medley: Break Forth - O Beauteous Heavenly Light - The First Nowell - O Little Town Of Bethlehem - I Saw Three Ships - Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

Customer Reviews:

Traditional Christmas Music .......2007-01-24

If you love traditional Christmas music, done in traditional style (i.e., no rock or jazz influence), this CD is for you. The Robert Shaw Chorale, the "gold standard" of quality choral music, sings much loved carols, with some lesser-known pieces as well. Some are a cappella; some include a full orchestral accompaniment. My favorites on this CD are "We Three Kings," "Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella," and "I Saw Three Ships."

The quintessential Christmas recording.......2005-12-09

This recording seems to elicit universal and heartfelt praise. Who am I to dispute that? The performance is terrific, just as described by the other Amazon reviewers, no doubt about it.

However, I do have one bone to pick with this recording. There just isn't enough of it. With material as good as this, that is a real loss!

A Top List Christmas CD.......2004-12-28

I bought this cd long ago, and have enjoyed it immensely each year. It is the perfect blend of celebration and meditation. Orchestra and choir combine in four distinct groupings, and a capella arrangements complete the masterful collection. The orchestral arrangements will make the hairs on your neck stand up, and your stomach quiver with all the excitement you ever felt as a child at Christmas. Adeste Fidelis is performed as few other ensembles have ever come close. The a capella arrangements will all, without exception, be on your yearly list of must-hear holiday arrangements. Truly a top list Christmas CD, essential for every family who celebrates this feast.

The best.......2004-01-02

I own approximately 35 Christmas choral CDs - including choirs and groups such as the Cambridge Singers and the King Singers. I also own two Christmas albums with Robert Shaw and the Atlantic symphony. This performance with the Robert Shaw Chorale is old but it is still my favorite. The arrangements are magnificent, the sound is brilliant, and the choir and orchestra are precise with wonderful volume control. Buy and enjoy!

How do you describe perfection?.......2003-12-14

This is my favorite Christmas CD. Nothing comes close. I thoroughly enjoyed learning much of the music in high school choir over 30 years ago. The music has never left me. The four medleys are the arrangements of Robert Russell Bennett titled "The Many Moods of Christmas". The arrangements seem to have a freshness about them even after listening numerous times.

Interspersed with the medleys are a cappella carols.

All of this music is wonderfully performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale, the a cappella selections recorded in 1957 and the medleys in 1963.

Four decades have proven that this is the standard in choral music. The clarity of text, the richness of tone, the beauty of harmony combine to present the message of Christmas in the manner that only music can do.

Tracks:

Medley: Sing We Now Of Christmas/Angels We Have Heard On High/Away In A Manger/What Child Is This...
Go Tell It On A Mountain
Medley: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Good King Wenceslas/We Three Kings/Villancio/Hark...
Medley: Bring A Torch, Isabella/Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Medley: Deck The Halls/Christian Men Rejoice/Master's In The Hall/O Tannenbaum
O Holy Night
The Little Drummer Boy
Medley: Conventry Carol/Rise Up Shepherds/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/O' Little Town Of Bethlehem...
Medley: Ding Dong/While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night/The First Noel/The Friendly Beasts
Medley: Silent Night/Adeste Fidelis/A Christmas Greeting

Customer Reviews:

The Little Drummer Boy.......2007-01-19

I was trying to purchase the original Harry Simeone Chorale's Drummer Boy and received this. It was okay, a mixture of songs, but I treasure the original one. Very short album, but price was good, so I was not disappointed.

Little Drummer Boy.......2007-01-10

Listened to the album every Christmas growing up. Recording is the same. Very good Christmas music with terrific attention to Christmas story.

Good but not great.......2007-01-10

I too was hoping this was going to be the gorgeous rendition of the music I grew up with. It wasn't, but it did help cheer up the holidays this year anyway.

Still looking for my favorite album.......2006-12-31

I have this cd and I love it because I love choral singing at Christmas but I am still looking for the first Harry Simeone Chorale album I ever bought. It is also titled " The Little Drummer Boy" , was released in 1981 by Holiday Records, a product of Phoenix Entertainment and Talent, distributed by Audiofidelity Enterprises, Inc. Why do I eagerly search the Christmas cd releases every year? I'm looking for 'A Simple Prayer', the absolute best version of the Prayer of St. Francis I have ever heard. (actually the only commercial version I have ever heard, although I get to sing a different song based on the same prayer at my church every once in a while). The man who sings the actual prayer on my album has a wonderful voice that makes me shiver every time I hear the song. I know it's not a 'Christmas ' song but I keep hoping it will show up one of these days. In the meantime, I keep and play my lp every year. Jo Haase

Mom's Recording: The Little Drummer Boy........2006-11-09

This record was done by my Mother, Frances Wyatt, and a group of her musical buddies from the old "Voice of Firestone" days. She is the one singing the soprano solo's on the album and can be heard above the others in the choral works. Mom was one of the lyric sopranos soloists on the "Voice of Firestone" ABC-TV program who became easily recognized here on the streets of NYC in the late 1950's and early 1960's. She also toured with Fred Warings Pennsylvanians extensively. Pretty cool!

I am proud that so many people have enjoyed this album over the years!

We, her family and children, grew up listening to this album along with her many Fred Waring recordings.

This one simple album, through years of continued sales, rocketed off the charts eclipsing all sales of LP's by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and every Pop musical group from L.A. to London. It made it into the Guinness Book of World Records! : A distinction it held for over 20 years!

When The Guiness people called us at home, we of course though it was some kind of prank. It wasn't.

I hope you truly enjoy this album and pass it on to your kids.

My mother died October 30, 2006. I will never forget her voice.

John Wyatt

Fritz Wunderlich sings Beethoven, Haydn, R. Strauss

Average customer rating:

A great voice from the past silenced too soon

Fritz Wunderlich sings Beethoven, Haydn, R. Strauss

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Schumann: Dichterliebe / Wunderlich, Giesen
Schubert: Die Schöne Müllerin, 3 Lieder / Fritz Wunderlich
The Art of Fritz Wunderlich
Fritz Wunderlich: Great German Tenor

ASIN: B00000E3M3
Release Date: 1988-04-14

Tracks:

Auf Dem Hugel Size Ich Spahend, An Die Ferne Geliebte Op. 98, Ludwig Van Beethoven
Wo Di Berge So Blau, An Die Ferne Gelibte, Op. 98, Ludwig Van Beethoven
Leichte Segler In Den Hohen, An Die Ferne Gelibte, Op. 98, Ludwig Van Beethoven
Diese Wolken In Den Hohen, An Die Ferne Geliebte, Op. 98, Ludwig Van Beethoven
Es Kehret Der Maien, Es Bluhet Die Au, An Die Ferne Geliebte, Op. 98, Ludwig Van Beethoven
Nimm Sie Hin Den, Diese Lieder, An Die Ferne Geliebte, Op. 98, Ludwig Van Beethoven
Fleiss Leise, Mein Bachlein, Schottische Und Walisische Volkslieder, Juseph Haydn
Ein Wandere Kommt, Schottische Und Walisische Volkslieder, Joseph Haydn
Ich Stehe Auf Der Heide, Schottishe Und Walisische Volkslieder, Joseph Haydn
Es Widen Meine Schafe, Schottishe Und Walisische Volkslieder, Joseph Haydn
Im Schlummern, Schottische Und Walisische Volkslieder, Joseph Haydn
Mein Susses Liebschen, Schottische Und Walisische Volkslieder, Joseph Haydn
Rose Rot, Rose Weiss, Schottische Und Walisische Volkslieder
Heimliche Aufforderung Op. 27 No. 3, Richard Strauss
Ich Tragemeine Minne, Op. 32 No. 1, Richard Strauss
Standchen, Op. 17 No. 2, Richard Strauss
Morgen, Op. 27 No. 4, Richard Strauss
Zueignung, Op. 10 No. 1, Richard Strauss

Customer Reviews:

A great voice from the past silenced too soon.......2006-05-24

Here is a selection of popular lieder by Fritz Wunderlich, who died tragically at age 36, silencing one of the century's great voices. Surely no accounting of great artists who died before their maturity could be complete without Wunderlich's name.

Here he displays the wonderful timbre, range and sensitivity in his voice, which was conspicuously consistent across the range, regardless of the music he was interpreting or the venue in which he performed. The character of his voicing, enunciation and the structure of his tone and vibrato are virtually without fault throughout this recording, made in the studio with both accompanist and orchestra in 1963, three years before his untimely death.

I bought this to hear his interpretation of Beethoven's only song cycle, "To the Distant Beloved." The notes to this issue concentrate on the music-drama inherent in the songs. I wouldn't call this accounting of the Beethoven as dramatic as singers perform today. It is miles ahead of the inadequate concert performance recorded a year or two back by Goerne and Brendel but, in terms of drama, Wunderlich's work is neither as dramatic or episodic as recordings by Stephen Genz and Thomas Allen.

However, no singer quite has Wunderlich's instrument, a firm, supple and sensitive voice that adjusts to any music and any situation. It is also a bit unfair to compare the baritones above to Wunderlich's tenor.

I found equal pleasure in his renditions of Haydn's lesser known and lesser quality songs and the group of orchestral Strauss lied performed on this disk. Wunderlich performs the Strauss with far more drama and flair than the Beethoven, where he seems almost an introverted lost sould seeking lost love.

All told, this is a treasurable tome from one of the great singers in history in good mid-1960s sound that has dimension, quality and depth. The soloist may be a bit more forward than we epxect in the period-influenced new century but this is no matter. Here is an exhibition of singing that is above criticism and beyond approach. Even the greatest singers in history would weep gladly upon hearing this CD. So will you.

Average customer rating:

Evocative Classical Masterworks Meld Nicely for the Scenic Open Road

Pacific Coast Highway

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Blue Ridge Parkway
Autobahn
Route 66
Serenity (Widescreen Edition)
Firefly - The Complete Series

ASIN: B0009OUB1A
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6 - Pastoral (I. Awakening Of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival In The Country) - Cleveland Orchestra
From Holberg's Time Suite, Op. 40 (I. Prelude) - London Festival Orchestra
Symphony No. 2, Op. 43 (I. Allegretto) - Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Symphony No. 2 - Mysterious Mountain (I. Andante Con Moto) - London Symphony Orchestra
Concierto De Aranjuez (Adagio) - David Burgess
Javelin - Boston Pops Orchestra
Symphony No. 3 - Sinfonia Espansiva (II. Andante Pastorale) - Olle Persson
Symphony No. 5, Op. 82 (III. Allegro Molto) - London Symphony Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Evocative Classical Masterworks Meld Nicely for the Scenic Open Road.......2006-09-20

I'm all for repackaging great music under the guise of something more digestible to the general public. That's why Sony Classical's Drive Time series is an intriguing marketing idea which groups classical pieces of a similar subgenre using a world-renowned roadway as the unifying theme. This one uses the Pacific Coast Highway as the constant imagery, and Gilbert Hetherwick (credited with the concept) and reissue producer Richard King have chosen pieces that have a pastoral, often Nordic feeling to them. Various world-class orchestras from London to the Boston Pops play the pieces impeccably under the batons of Lorin Maazel, John Williams and Sir Colin Davis among others.

The program opens appropriately with Beethoven's pastoral Symphony #6 (1808), which was actually subtitled "Recollections of Country Life", a stunning melding of woodwinds and strings somewhat similar in tone to Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons". Then we get music from a brethren of Scandinavian masters. Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is well represented here with two pieces from his symphonies, the introductory Allegretto movement of #2 (1902) and the concluding Allegro Molto movement of #5 (1915), both of which show a strong sense of his dramatic use of folk melodies. There is the famous "Holberg's Time Suite" (1869) by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg with its fanciful opening flourish, as well as Danish composer Carl Nielsen's Symphony #3 (1911), which works beautifully within the sonata form.

There are three modern pieces, tonally compatible with the other compositions - Joaquín Rodrigo's beautiful piece for classical guitar and orchestra, "Concierto de Aranjuez" (1939) - my personal favorite of the entire disc, Alan Hovhaness' contemplative 1955 "Mysterious Mountain" (Symphony #2), and Michael Torke's exciting "Javelin" composed for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. All together, this is well over an hour of splendid music, and to Sony's credit, they do evoke the fog and cold breezes coming from the Pacific. Marketed as "specially mastered for the car audio experience", it is well worth keeping in your car CD case. Other CDs in this series include Route 66, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Autobahn.

Average customer rating:

Could have been a great recording
One of the best choral works ever

Evensong for the Feast of the Epiphany

Manufacturer: Gothic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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

O God, My Heart Is Ready - Psalms (Anglican chant) and Hymns from St. Thomas Choir New York
The Psalms of David from Kings Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, Vol. 1
Praise to the Lord - Hymns From St. Paul's Cathedral
A History of the Church in England
Treasures of English Church Music

ASIN: B00000IJGJ
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Chorale Prelude: Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern
Five O'clock Hour Strike
Organ Improvisation
Introit: Christe, qui lux es et dies
Opening Sentence
Preces
Phos hilaron
Psalm 27
First Reading
Magnificat In D
Second Reading
Nunc dimittis In D
The Apostles Creed
Salutation And The Lord's Prayer
The Suffrages
The Collects: The Collects - Excerpts From Christus
Recitative: When Jesus, Our Lord
Trio: Say Where He Is Born: Trio: Say, Where Is He Born
Chorus: There Shall A Star
Psalm 122: I Was Glad
Closing Prayers
Hymn: Christ Upon The Mountain Peak
The Wedding At Cana

Customer Reviews:

Could have been a great recording.......2005-02-12

I considered the only review available, and purchased, but found audibility real problem (on my Bose system). Sometimes it cannot be heard, then I have to hurry and turn it down before I blast my eardrums out. I have become familiar enough with the CD to just avoid a few of the tracks, though I wish that were not the case.

One of the best choral works ever.......1999-09-11

I've listened to many choral cds over the years, but this one, by far, is the best that I have ever had the pleasure of listening. It simulates an evensong complete with the lessons. The balance is great, the sound quality is exceptional. All choral music lovers should immediately purchase this cd.

Average customer rating:

Wonderfully fine performance
Not ideal, but all there is

Arthur Sullivan: Ivanhoe

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Arthur Sullivan: The Contrabandista, The Foresters
Sullivan: The Rose of Persia
Arthur Sullivan: The Prodigal Son; Boer War Te Deum

ASIN: B000000WWK
Release Date: 1993-01-21

Tracks:

Ivanhoe: Act One, First Scene: The Hall Of Rotherwood - Introduction; Each Day This Realm Of England Faints
Ivanhoe: Act One, First Scene: The Hall Of Rotherwood - Good Thane, Most Noble Thane
Ivanhoe: Act One, First Scene: The Hall Of Rotherwood - I See But One Thing Wanting To Our Fare
Ivanhoe: Act One, First Scene: The Hall Of Rotherwood - Drink, Drink Ye All... Then Fill The Cup, Fill High
Ivanhoe: Act One, First Scene: The Hall Of Rotherwood - The Palmer! The Holy Palmer!
Ivanhoe: Act One, Second Scene: An Ante-Chamber In Rotherwood - O Moon, Art Thou Clad
Ivanhoe: Act One, Second Scene: An Ante-Chamber In Rotherwood - Good Palmer, Thou Dids't Speak Of One
Ivanhoe: Act One, Second Scene: An Ante-Chamber In Rotherwood - Like Mountain Lark
Ivanhoe: Act One, Third Scene: The Lists At Ashby-de-la-Zouch - Will There Be No More Fighting?
Ivanhoe: Act One, Third Scene: The Lists At Ashby-de-la-Zouch - Plantagenesta!
Ivanhoe: Act One, Third Scene: The Lists At Ashby-de-la-Zouch - Isaac, My Jew, My Purse Of Gold
Ivanhoe: Act One, Third Scene: The Lists At Ashby-de-la-Zouch - What Means His Motto?

Tracks:

Ivanhoe: Act Two, First Scene: Friar Tuck's Hut At Copmanhurst - Strange Lodging This For England's King
Ivanhoe: Act Two, First Scene: Friar Tuck's Hut At Copmanhurst - There Is A Custom...I Ask Not Wealth
Ivanhoe: Act Two, First Scene: Friar Tuck's Hut At Copmanhurst - Not Bad, Say I...The Wind Blows Cold ('Ho, Jolly Jenkin!')
Ivanhoe: Act Two, First Scene: Friar Tuck's Hut At Copmanhurst - And Now For Combat!
Ivanhoe: Act Two, Second Scene: Castle Torquilstone - Will Not Our Captor Dare To Show His Face?
Ivanhoe: Act Two, Second Scene: Castle Torquilstone - Welcome, Sir Templar!...Woo Thou Thy Snowflake
Ivanhoe: Act Two, Third Scene: A Turret Chamber In Torquilstone - Whet The Keen Axes
Ivanhoe: Act Two, Third Scene: A Turret Chamber In Torquilstone - O Awful Depth...Lord Of Our Chosen Race
Ivanhoe: Act Two, Third Scene: A Turret Chamber In Torquilstone - Take Thou These Jewels
Ivanhoe: Act Two, Third Scene: A Turret Chamber In Torquilstone - What Sound Is That?

Tracks:

Ivanhoe: Act Three, First Scene: Room In Torquilstone; Assault; Burning Of The Castle - Happy With Winged Feet
Ivanhoe: Act Three, First Scene: Room In Torquilstone; Assault; Burning Of The Castle - Tend Thou The Knight Thou Lovest
Ivanhoe: Act Three, First Scene: Room In Torquilstone; Assault; Burning Of The Castle - How Cans't Thou Know?
Ivanhoe: Act Three, Second Scene: The Forest - Light Foot Upon The Dancing Green
Ivanhoe: Act Three, Second Scene: The Forest - Look, Where Thy Moody Father Walks Apart...Forgive Thy Son
Ivanhoe: Act Three, Second Scene: The Forest - How Oft Beneath The Far-Off Syrian Skies
Ivanhoe: Act Three, Third Scene: The Preceptory Of The Templars, Templestowe - Fremuere Principles
Ivanhoe: Act Three, Third Scene: The Preceptory Of The Templars, Templestowe - Thou Jewish Girl, Who Art Condemned
Ivanhoe: Act Three, Third Scene: The Preceptory Of The Templars, Templestowe - A Champion! A Champion!
Ivanhoe: Act Three, Third Scene: The Preceptory Of The Templars, Templestowe - Dead! He Is Dead!
Ivanhoe: Act Three, Third Scene: The Preceptory Of The Templars, Templestowe - See Where The Banner Of England

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully fine performance.......2004-10-10

This is one opera I have been searching for for a very long time. I read about it in a book about Sullivan. Of course, when they wrote of the opera, they showed the scene, in drawing, where Rebecca informs Ivanhoe of the battle with the Black Knight. The drawing (based on the actual performance when it premiered) grabbed my attention completely. I just wondered what this composer could do with real opera (I loved his operettas completely, and they showed quite often Sullivan was quite capable of deep emotional pathose, even if in the end he was spoofing it more than reflecting it).

Well, all the years of searching and waiting to know were not a waste. Firstly, I have never been able to locate a score of this work (as I have done with many ancient operas or forgotten ones), so I was just as in the dark as anyone else as to what to expect. I was incredibly surprised, not to mention, thrilled with the results. No, Sullivan is no Wagner, nor is he even Verdi, but he is wonderfully beautiful in his own right. Why this work has not entered into the opera houses, I have no clue, excepting maybe because it is English opera, which never does well. Speaking of "ENGLISH OPERA", here we have a recording where for the most part we CAN understand the words (a thing I never seem to find in professional recordings of English opera, or American opera; they may as well sing in gibberish, for that is exactly what it sounds like -- perhaps the composers have no clue what works in their own language?). The performers, as we know, are not professionals, but rather semi-professionals. There are some uneven performances, and sometimes the characters are not quite as developed as one would like, there are even times the orchestra sounds like it lost the beat (but this is EXTREMELY RARE), the sound quality of the recording is OK, but nothing stellar, however, it is not bad either. Yet, in spite of these drawbacks, we CAN and DO understand the words, and for once a rather strange sounding English libretto sounds natural and unforced with stupid poetry that really leaves you laughing. These wonderfully dedicated performers, no matter their individual difficulties, give us a wonderfully vivid performance where we can finally understand the opera (like all our Italian friends do when Italian opera is sung for them). That was such a treat for me, to finally actually understand the words of opera sung in my own language.

What makes this opera such a thrill, at least for me, is the natural fall of the words and the music, especially in the recitatives. Unlike most English opera where the musical line sounds completely foreign to the natural lilt of the words, Sullivan has an uncanny way of writing lines, melodies, and recitatives that flow naturally from the language itself. That was a really exciting experience to endure. For once, I didn't wish that someone would teach the composers to listen to the flow of English to gain an insight into melody. Maybe it was all those operettas that he wrote prior to this "serios opera" that taught him what he knew, or maybe, he just had a good ear for his own language and enough sense to know that trying to graft Italian or German musical idioms onto things just wasn't the correct choice.

Is it a great work? Well, no, it will never get into the record books as a perfect opera, nor will it shove Mozart or Wagner off the stage, but it is really quite good just the same. Even with all the flaws this recording has, I am so glad it is out there so I could at last hear what music fleshed out that old drawing I saw in a book all those years ago. Though Sullivan's music is not anywhere near as dramatic as one may imagine it should be, it fits well with the scene and the over all concept of the work.

I really recommend this recording, for it, at least for now, is the only one we have (and if they make a professional one, I really hope they screen the singers well, no big names if they can't sing English so we can understand it; Sullivan, as with Wagner, you MUST understand the words or the meaning is completely lost). The entire recording is really quite enjoyable, and it doesn't disappoint.

Not ideal, but all there is.......2000-08-05

If you are interested in Arthur Sullivan's Music without Gilbert, this is one of the works you should have in your collection. Unfortunately the quality of the performance is inconsistent. The orchestra is at times good, at others sloppy. The soloists are also of varying quality. This is, after all, a recording by a semi-professional group. That said, if you are willing to accept the flaws, this is currently the only version on disc. Perhaps someday the BBC will record a version, as they did with Sullivan's "Rose of Persia". In the current recording, the most pleasing selections are: The Act 3 Scene 2 ensemble "Look where thy moody father walks apart", Friar Tuck's rollicking "Ho, Jolly Jenkin", The Templar's passionate scene "Woo thou thy snowflake", and Rebecca's evocative aria "Lord of our chosen race". Not all it could be, but it's all we've got.

Average customer rating:

Spirit of Christmas

Manufacturer: Sparrow
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B0000CDL5P
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

Canticle Of Joy (Medley): Sing Joy/Joy To The World/How Great Our Joy
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Miraculous Night (Medley): It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Silent Night, Holy Night/O Holy Night
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Sing We Now Of Christmas
On Christmas Night
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
The City Of David (Medley): Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming/O Little Town Of Bethlehem/The Birthday Of The King
The First Noel
How Should A King Come?
Adeste Fideles
Sweet Little Jesus Boy
We Three Kings
What Child Is This?
We Adore Thee
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Tracks:

Rejoice (Medley): O Come, O Come Emmanuel/Good Christians All Rejoice/Rejoice, Rejoice
Break Forth O Beauteous, Heavenly Light
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
A Gift From God (Medley): Of the Father's Love Begotten/Wonderful Counsel
Immanuel (Medley): We Sing, Immanuel, Your Praise/Immanuel/Angels From The Realms Of Glory
Infant (Medley): Infant Holy, Infant Lowly/Go Tell It On The Mountain/O Come All Ye Faithful (Reprise)
The Holly And The Ivy
O Christmas Tree
Prayer From Hansel And Gretel
Gesu, Bambino
Rose Of Bethlehem
And Suddenly There Was With The Angels/Glory To God
For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Hallelujah Chorus
Silent Night (Reprise)

Product Description

BRAND NEW, sealed, includes the original CD, case, and paperwork, First Class shipped, ask me for my CD List or more Titles to combine shipping!M

Average customer rating:

Ultimate Christmas Morning Music

Joy of Christmas

Manufacturer: Reader's Digest
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Holiday Music | Box Sets | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Box Sets | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Silent Night (Box Set)
A Festival of Carols in Brass
A Christmas Festival
Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas - Holiday Memories

ASIN: B00000DDAC
Release Date: 1999-10-19

Tracks:

Angels We Have Heard On High - Virgil Fox
Good King Wenceslas - Mighty Pipe Organ/London Bell Ringers
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Peter Knight
What Child Is This - Floyd Cramer
The First Noel - Vienna Boys' Choir
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus - London Philharmonic Chorus & Orchchestra
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - Romantic Strings Orchestra & Voices
Carol Of The Birds - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
He Is Born, The Holy Child - Gordon Langford
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus/Peter Knight
O Come All Ye Faithful - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Chorus And Boys' Choir

Tracks:

Sleigh Ride - London Symphony Orchestra
Winter Wonderland - London Festival Orchestra
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - London Festival Orchestra
The Little Drummer Boy - Vienna Boys' Choir
The Skaters' Waltz - New Sympony Orchestra Of London
Silver Bells - Romantic Strs Orch And Voices
Gather Around The Christmas Tree - Virgil Fox
Christmas Needs Love To Be Christmas - Andy Williams
Silent Night - Floyd Cramer
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Glen Campbell

Tracks:

O Holy Night - Richard Lewis
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Virgil Fox
Messiah: And The Glory Of The Lord - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent
Messiah: Comfort Ye My People/Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent
Messiah: For Unto Us A Child Is Born - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent
Messiah: Pastoral Sym - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent
Messiah: He Shall Feed His Flock/Come Unto Him - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - London Symphony Orchestra
Adeste Fideles - Vienna Boys' Choir
Carol Of The Bells - Larry Dalton
'Twas The Night Before Christmas - Richard Falken
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Lippai/Up On The Mountain - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Deck The Halls - London Symphony Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Ultimate Christmas Morning Music.......2004-07-07

This set is by far the absolute best collection of Christmas music ever put together! Our family doesn't even think to start our Christmas morning festivities without 'popping' in this cassette (now buy CD's!). We even listen to this collection while we wrap Christmas gifts! We are a Christmas "fanatic" family and have literally hundreds of Christmas records, tapes and CD's but this collecton is the only one that can add to the warmth of this special season and I know it has become a family tradition that will bring cherished memories to our children when they have families of their own. You can't lose with this set!

Average customer rating:

Very fine

The English Anthem, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The English Anthem, Vol. 3
The English Anthem, Vol. 5
The English Anthem, Vol. 6
The English Anthem
The English Anthem, Vol. 4

ASIN: B000002ZQ4
Release Date: 1993-11-19

Customer Reviews:

Very fine.......2000-05-17

Having reviewed one volume of this fascinating series, I feel only a brief review is needed for any of the others. I bought this one really in order to hear the Cathedral Choir's version of "Lo, the full, final sacrifice" by Gerald Finzi, introduced to me by a close friend via the Finzi Singers' recording. As an anthem, it is certainly too long for use at anything other than special occasions, but having heard the St. Paul's Choir singing it, I can safely say that Finzi "has the last word in anthems." The other works on this disc are no less well-rendered. The balance is perhaps a little too much towards Victorian composers, but the series was just starting at this point, and in many ways John Scott's readings of their anthems sheds new light on the music. In addition, the sound quality is good. In short, a very fine record and worthy member of the "English Anthem" series.

Pop Music:

Pop Music

pop music

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