In Dulci Jubilo

Track Listings

1. Holly and the Ivy

2. Lo, How a Rose

3. Down in Yon Forest

4. Ave Maria

5. In Dulci Jubilo

6. Nightingale

7. Salve Mater Misericordiae

8. Bush and Thorn

9. Since First I Saw Your Face

10. Innsbruck

11. In Awe of the Nativity

In Dulci Jubilo,Therese Schroeder-Sheker,Celestial Harmonies,Christmas / Chanukkah,Neo-Classical

In Dulci Jubilo

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen, BWV 727
Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme, BWV 645
Fantasia And Fugue In G Minor, BWV 542
Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier, BWV 730
Passacaglia And Fugue In C Minor, BWV 582
Prelude And Fugue In E Flat Major ('St. Anne'), BWV 552
Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
Fantasia And Fugue In C Minor, BWV 537

Tracks:

Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564
In Dulci Jublio, BWV 729
Prelude And Fugue In A Minor, BWV 543
Fantasia In G Major, BWV 572
Prelude And Fugue In D Major, BWV 532
Nun Freut Euch, Lieben Christen G'mein, BWV 734
Wo Soll Ich Fliehen Hin, BWV 694
Fantasia In C Minor, BWV 562
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor ('Dorian'), BWV 538

Customer Reviews:

organ works by bach.......2007-01-10

excellent. unforgettable works by one of the masters, the grand organs have their own place in time mostly heard in church surroundings. this brings it home.cigar, brandy, toccata and fugue d minor, heaven.

Hurford plays very musically.......2006-11-24

Peter Hurford is a wonderul musician.. his interpretations of this music are musical.. (esp. with the St. Anne Fugue where each of the three variations are connected with beatiful transitions..)
A wonderful recording.. in an era where everything has to be perfect,
it's nice to hear an artist take some risk and give us their own
personal, unique, and original interpretations.

Disappointing.......2006-07-27

When you buy a CD like this, the one thing you expect of the artist is to nail the intro to Toccata and Fugue In D Minor, Bach's great masterwork and the lead piece on the CD. Unfortunately, the organist plays the intro robotically, truncating notes and overextending pauses. He rushes some passages so badly in the intro that one cannot distinguish the melodic line. Toccata and Fugue In D Minor is so musically advanced that it sounds modern even today, but you miss that with this recording.

This album belongs amongst the first four or five in every Bach collection........2006-07-27

What to say about these extraordinary works?

First of all, that this is a double-album full of titanic masterworks, intelligently and skillfully performed. These discs belong amongst the first four or five albums in every Bach collection. The famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor is here, together with another, lesser-known but equally awe-inspiring "Dorian" Toccata and Fugue in D minor. There are quite a few other familiar war-horses---the Prelude and Fugue in A minor, the St. Anne Prelude and Fugue, and the Tocatta, Adagio, and Fugue in C (which I first encountered in a piano transcription performed by Evgeny Kissin, on his album with the Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition... well worth hearing next to the original organ writing here), among others---and some more obscure pieces as well to keep us out of "greatest hits" territory (almost always a drawback in recital albums). Like the Mozart piano concerti and the Beethoven symphonies, Bach's compositions for organ are amongst the towering summits of Western music; there is nothing else like them.

Since I'm playing critic here, I suppose I ought to offer at least a bit of actual criticism, rather than only effusive praise. While many would beg to differ, three composers (whose careers, interestingly, were almost exactly chronologically contiguous) are, by a long-standing historical consensus, recognized to occupy the highest tier of artistic achievement in "common practice," tonal music: Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Of those three masters, Mozart alone is recognized as having achieved a perfect or near-perfect balance between subject and object, style and substance: Bach tipped the balance just a bit in favor of objectivity and substance, and Beethoven in favor of subjectivity and style. And so, just as I find that Beethoven's music does not hold up quite as well as Mozart's to repeated listenings because his stylistic and emotive devices are less effective once you've heard them before, so that they no longer take you by surprise, so too do I find that Bach's music, especially in the long contrapuntal sections, is not always as worthwhile for listening as it is for theoretical analysis... it is perhaps not quite as valuable in practice as it is in theory, in other words. The organ pieces on these discs are sublime masterpieces, but if they do fall short of absolute perfection it is for being somewhat dry and academic.

In addition, the different organs Herford plays here so often produce, as good organs will, such a staggering, chest-rumbling roar that you have trouble discerning the pitches in these compositions. It's a similar problem to listening to harpsichord music, where at times you hear just a lot of clanging and can't tell what note or chord is being played. It's not a big problem on these recordings, but it is a little distracting at times.

Nevertheless, it's said that what makes a work of art a masterpiece is not its being perfect or flawless, but rather that its virtues are so meaningful and effective that they compensate for the piece's flaws and imperfections. In fact, in sublime pieces such as these, it's precisely that imbalance, or aesthetic asymmetry, you might say, that makes the music dynamic and exciting: it creates an inner tension, a sort of yearning or striving that, in the hands of the greatest of masters (of which Bach is uncontestably one), makes for a transcendent artistic statement and an invaluable testament to the human experience.

In short, buy this album and listen to it often!

Never a dull moment in this Bach recording............2006-05-29

Peter Hurford is perhaps one of the foremost organists of his time. He has not only studied music but law as well, giving a scholarly twist on his education. I have always been pleased by his interpretations of Bach. They are no-nonsense, with strict tempos, clean, accurate passages, and registrations which are very lush and vibrant. For the new fan of Bach, there is no better place to start, as this set contains all of the "big" organ pieces for which Bach became legendary, as well as a few well-known chorale preludes. For those who wish to explore Bach's organ contributions in more detail, buy Hurford's complete Bach recordings (Although I believe it is out of print or very hard to obtain, as I have not yet found one). If this is the case, buy Marie-Claire Alain's version on Erato. No two organists understand Bach better.

The Swingle Singers - Bach Hits Back ~ A Capella Amadeus

Average customer rating:

Flats and Sharps
Still new... and fantastic
A Swingle Singers Half Treasure -
A capella reigns
Best Swingles Ever

The Swingle Singers - Bach Hits Back ~ A Capella Amadeus
Johann Sebastian Bach , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , and The Swingle Singers
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Keyboard Classics
Swingle Singers
Jazz Sebastian Bach, Vol. 1
Jazz Sebastian Bach, Vol. 2
Christmastime

ASIN: B00000632P
Release Date: 1998-05-05

Tracks:

Ein' feste Burg - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Organ Fugue from Fantasia and fugue - Johann Sebastian Bach_
The Well -Tempered Clavier: Prelude XVIII - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Cantata No. 140: Chorale prelude from Cantata No. 140 'Wachet Auf' - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Wachet Auf: Chorale from 'Wachet Auf' - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier - Johann Sebastian Bach_
In Dulci Jubilo - Chorale Prelude - Johann Sebastian Bach_
In Dulci Jubilo - Chorale - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Andante fromSonata No. 2 for unaccompanied violin - Johann Sebastian Bach_
First movement from Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Cantata No. 208: Schafe konnen Sicher Weiden (Sheep May Safely Graze) from Cantata No. 208 - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Badinerie from Suite No. 2 - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Fugue VIII fromThe Well-Tempered Clavier - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Three - Part Invention - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Mass In B Minor: Et Resurrexit from Mass in B minor - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Bist Du Bei Mir - Johann Sebastian Bach_
St. Mathew Passion: Blute Nur, Du Liebes Herz - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Organ Fugue: Alla Gigue - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Suite No. 3: Air from Suite No. 3 (Air on a G String) - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Little Organ Fugue - Johann Sebastian Bach_
Cantata No. 60: Es Ist Genug from Cantata No. 60 - Johann Sebastian Bach_

Tracks:

Symphony No. 40: Die Zauberflote - Overture - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Symphony No. 40: I Molto Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Symphony No. 40: II Andante - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Symphony No. 40: III Minuetto: allegretto - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Symphony No. 40: IV Finale: Allegro assai - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Ave Verum Corpus - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
String Quartet In G Major: Finale from String Quartet in G major - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Cosi fan tutte: Un' Aura Amorosa from Cost fan tutte - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: Finale: Rondo from Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Finale from Horn Concerto No. 4 - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Canzonetta from Don Giovanni - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Terzettino from Cosi Fan Tutte - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Gigue - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante from Piano Concerto No. 21 - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Hostias from Requiem - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Requiem: Quam Olim Abrahae from Requiem - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Piano Sonata In A Major: Finale: Alla Turca from Piano Sonata in A major - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Fantasia In F Minor And Major - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Customer Reviews:

Flats and Sharps.......2007-05-18

I enjoy the Swingle Singers very much but sadly, in this album they are flat on about half of the tracks. When they are on key, they are very, very good. When they are flat they are awful. Recommendation: buy a different Swingle Singers CD.

Still new... and fantastic.......2007-03-25

As time goes by, these recordings seem to become better and better. Fresh, perfect... fantastic CD.

A Swingle Singers Half Treasure -.......2007-03-10

If you love Bach and are a fan of the Swingle Singers, buy this CD. Fans of the Swingle Singers enjoy them for what they do to music - release it with air and bounce - and their style is perfectly suited for Bach. I couldn't enjoy it more. But the second Cd in this set is their treatment of Mozart, and, for me, it's inconsistent. This is due to the different styles of the two composers and I just think they match up better with Bach. But at this price, I shouldn't be complaining. The first CD alone is worth twice as much. Snatch it up!

A capella reigns.......2007-01-12

Another fine offering by this group. Fun for classical music buffs and novices.

Best Swingles Ever.......2006-02-16

If you know the Swingle Singers, you may expect jazzed-up Bach with a rhythm section. Now, don't get me wrong, i like that stuff, too, but that is just clean fun, while this is just Bach. No percussion, no jazzy rythym, just straight unaccompanied Bach. AND IT IS WONDERFUL.
Precise rhythm, clear vocal lines, everything you expect from the Swingles without the jazz. This is a really great album that should be bought by all Swingle lovers and all Bach lovers.
P.S. i bought this cd when it first came out,so I have never even heard the Mozart. With all due deference to fans of the worthy Wolfgang, i have always found the artful Amadeus rather a bore, so I will remain silent about that part of the album. No matter. The Bach alone is worth twice the price, so enjoy. And, hey, the Mozart is a nice bonus.

Average customer rating:

Teeming with classics
Excellent Introductory CD!
Good Introduction to Bach.
Bach For Dummies?
A super introduction to Bach

Bach: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: Greatest Hits
Chopin: Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits HANDEL ~ Water Music, Largo, etc..
Mendelssohn: Greatest Hits
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits

ASIN: B000002A1B
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Cantata No.147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
The Anna Magdalena Notebook, Ang. 114: Minuet
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565: Toccata
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565: Fugue
Orchestra Suite In D Major, BWV 1068: Air
Orchestral Suite In B Imonr BWV 1067: Badinerie
Cantata No.208: Sheep May Safely Graze
Invention No. 1 In C Major, BWV 772
Magnigicat In D Major, BWV 243: Magnificat
Sleepers, Awake (Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme)
Invention No.4 In D Minor, BWV 775
Invention No.8 In F Major, BWV 779
Concerto For Two Violins, Strings And Basso Continuo In D Minor, BWV 1043: I. Allegro
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 846: Prelude In C Major
'Brandenburg' Concerto No.2 IN F Major, BWV 1047: III. Allegro assai
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, BWV 302
'Brandenburg' Concerto No.3 In G Major, BWV 1048: II. Allegro
Fugue In G Minor, BWV 578, 'Little'
Suite For Lute In E Major, BWV 1006a: Gavotte en Rondeau
Concerto For Harpsichord, Strings And Basso Continuo No.5 In F Minor, BWV 1056: II. Largo
'In dulci jubilo,' BWV 751
'Bist du bei mir' (If Thou Be Near): Aria
Italian Concerto In F Major, BWV 971: III. Presto
Sinfonia
'Goldberg' Variations, BWV 988: Aria da capo

Customer Reviews:

Teeming with classics.......2007-03-01

I purchased this for track #10, which I'd happened to hear on the radio...it stayed in my head until I tracked down the CD. I have a relatively basic working knowledge of classical music, so this long playing collection was an excellent and surprising introduction to several of Bach's diverse works...both well known and more obscure. Certainly a worthwhile addition to your classical collection.

Excellent Introductory CD!.......2006-06-29

This CD is an excellent introduction to the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. It's certainly not exhaustive, but it's a start. It also includes pieces from Johann Michael Bach, as well as another composer (whose name escapes me at the moment) whose work was once mistakenly attributed to JSB. This entire series of CDs is perfect for those who wish to learn more about the Classical Masters. Start with this series, and then by all means, delve deeper into their respective repetoires. You won't be disappointed.

Good Introduction to Bach........2006-02-27

I don't want to repeat what has been said already but this is a great indroduction to Bach. The variety on this release is good, but like has been said numerous times before, the amount of variety fails to set a single mood. But with a low price and a great deal of variety this is a great CD for those who want to start getting into Bach. Recommended.

Bach For Dummies?.......2002-07-18

A smattering of short excerpts -- many not on their native instruments -- to introduce the great literature left to us by J.S. Bach. Some of the versions are truly inspired, a few are not.

If you like what you hear here, by all means seek out the full-length, original instrument versions!

A super introduction to Bach.......2002-03-04

For someone who knows little about Bach and wants to learn something, you couldn't do better than to give them this CD. Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra give their signature warm, plush sound to the work of the great Johann Sebastian Bach, making him sound very nearly like a Romantic rather than a baroque or classical composer. This is not a bad thing--some complain that Bach, with his mathematical leanings, leaves them cold. That isn't possible with the inviting material on this CD.

Average customer rating:

Pure Christmas
Christmas magic
a voice teacher and early music fan
Simply beautiful
It's that time of year...for Chanticleer!

Sing We Christmas
Chanticleer
Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King
How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music
Chanticleer: Magnificat (A Capella Works by Josquin, Palestrina, Titov, Victoria, and Others)

ASIN: B000000SNL
Release Date: 1995-09-19

Tracks:

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
O magnum mysterium
In dulci iubilo
O virgo virginum
O Jesulein s Jesulein mild
Hodie Christus natus est
Marabile mysterium
Verbum caro factum est: Y la Virgen le dezia
A un nilorando
Here Is The Little Door
Noel canon
Quelle est cette odeur agrle
El Noi de la Mare
A Christmas Carol
A virgin unspotted
In the bleak mid-winter
Glory to the newborn King
Stille nacht - Douce nuit - Silent night

Amazon.com

Christmas is the season for whipping out those holiday-specific standard recordings. This splendid gift by Chanticleer should top the list, for one will never tire of this a cappella choir's interpretations. With selections spanning the last five centuries of Latin, German, English, Spanish, and French festive fare, this recording exemplifies the sacrifice of the ego to the higher form of choral sound. Jacob Handl's "Mirabile Mysterium" takes you on a trip into the chromatic wonderlands, where you temporarily lose tonal balance. Victoria's eerie and dissonant "O Magnum Mysterium" treats us to rich voices swelling out of one organic whole. The phenomenal blend and perfect intonation elevate this recording above others in its category. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

Pure Christmas.......2007-01-16

If you are looking for traditional madrigal sounding holiday music, this CD is for you. I have purchased this CD several times because I just keep giving them away. Everyone I've ever introduced it to has loved it. This finely polished group has a pure sound matched by no other. If you weren't looking at the CD notes you would never know this is only a group of 12 men.

Christmas magic.......2007-01-10

A CD evocative of Christmas past and present. Beautiful harmonies both wistful and ringing with joy. Buy it for next Christmas!

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-12-02

Chanticleer, the U.S. equivalent of the British King's Singers, is a full-time classical vocal ensemble named for the rooster in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'. It was founded in 1978 by Louis Botto, a tenor, and for a while was its artistic director. They have achieved critical acclaim all over the world and their repertoire is very extensive and varied. Just commenting on a few of the selections on this disc:
'Es ist ein Ros entsprungen' is a hymn that originated in western Germany around 1500, and is best known in the harmonization by Michael Praetorious published around 1609. The poem used biblical imagery that pictures the newborn Christ growing forth from the "stem of Jesse'(the father of King David), as foretold in Isiah 11. The metaphorical writings of the Middle Ages depict the patriarchal figure of Jesse as a rose bush.
'O Magnum mysterium',Victoria's most famous motet, uses a subline text from the Christmas Vespers. This is incredibly beautiful with its interweaving polyphony which leads to a hushed choral declamation at the words "O beata Virgo"(O Blessed Virgin) ending with a Alleulia Section.
'Here is the Little Door' is from a set of three "carol anthems", dating from 1918-1920. Herbert Howells was revered as one of the 20th century's most distinguished Choral composers, and I recently discovered him thru the album " by the Corydon Singers conducted by Matthew Best. It includes Howells Requiem in addition to the Vaughan Williams Mass in G Minor. It is the most heavenly somewhat exotic choral music I think I have heard in many years of listening; I highly recommend it.
'Glory to the newborn King'. Joseph Jennings, Georgia native and present musical director of Chanticleer, has often drawn upon his roots to create special gospel and spiritual arrangements of familiar songs. 'Glory to the newborn King' features four traditional songs combined to showcase Chanticleer's unique choral virtuosity!
This is an excellent group of carols,and it is always refreshing to hear 'new' melodies, arrangements; a joy for the ear!!!!

Simply beautiful.......2006-02-20

The title and artist' name says it all - Christmas with clear (pure) singing. Glorious in all respects.

It's that time of year...for Chanticleer!.......2005-12-20

Walking the busy malls to the multichannel Muzak of every old Christmas song interpreted in hiphop, jazz, idiosyncratic 'rethinkings' by famous soloists as well as replays of Gene Autry, Bing Crosby etc., it is a relief to return home (or if fortunate, to the concert hall) and hear the more uplifting music of the season through the ages. And despite reliance on some old favorite Messiah recordings, and carols by Kings College Choir, the one CD that seems to reign supreme is this Chanticleer release SING WE CHRISTMAS from 1995!

These twelve male voices create an ambience that can only be labeled 'spiritual', so resonant and exquisitely performed are each of the generous works on this recording. The moods pass through Praetorius, Victoria, Bach and traditional carols of unknown authorship to works by Ives, Billings, Holst, Guerrero, Howells and Sametz. The repertoire is both familiar and rarely heard and the result of combining all these forms is the truest form of Christmas spirit on record: this is music to cleanse the Muzak blitz! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, December 05

Average customer rating:

Great music, fine performance
The Best of the best
Beautiful Music, Beautifully Sung
A bleak Mid-winter
If you own one Christmas Music CD--this is it

Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity

Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Christmas Star
Cambridge Singers Christmas Album
The John Rutter Christmas Album
Christmas Day in the Morning
The Holly and the Ivy: Carols from Clare College

ASIN: B0000031H5
Release Date: 1993-01-20

Tracks:

In Dulci Jubilo
Adam Lay Ybounden
Christmas Night
Once, as I Remember
A Spotless Rose
In the Bleak Midwinter
There Is a Flower
The Cherry Tree Carol
I Wonder as I Wander
Candlelight Carol
O Tannenbaum
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
A Virgin Most Pure
I Sing of a Maiden
Lute-Book Lullaby
The Three Kings
Myn Lyking
O Little One Sweet
All My Heart This Night Rejoices
I Saw a Maiden
Away in a Manger
Nativity Carol

Amazon.com

"The theme of this album is the birth of Christ, reflected in the words and music of 22 carols spanning more than six centuries." This description might also say that the program contains some of the best and best-loved Christmas choral pieces of all time, presented in a pleasing mix of familiar carols and lesser-known original works. Among the best-known selections are Darke's "In the bleak mid-winter" and Howells's "A spotless rose." Several original pieces by John Rutter appear here for the first time--"Christmas Night," "There is a flower," and "Nativity Carol." Other notable highlights are Peter Cornelius's "The three kings" and the lively Willcocks arrangement of "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day." Of course, the singing is among the best on the planet--in fact, there may even be a few heavenly angels in the soprano section. --David Vernier

Album Description

An incredible collection of 22 carols, old and new, including I Wonder As I Wander, Away In A Manger, O Tannenbaum, and In Dulci Jubilo. "In the field of choral Christmas CDs, Christmas Night shines brightest of all." David Vernier - Classics Today

Customer Reviews:

Great music, fine performance.......2007-01-26

Recommended for everyone to have since secularized "popular" Christmas music is repeated endlessly from mid November to 25 December with dreary lyrics and superficial performance. Carols of the Nativity is immensely better.

The Best of the best.......2006-12-22

I,ve been collecting Christmas Music for over 25 Years especially the non-pop genre. This is my desert CD. The Chanticleer and Kings College CDs are very good but this is the summit of quiet meditative music for the season. I always listen to this alone at night and still get thrilled and overwhelmed by it's beauty and sublimity. My favorite track is "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" simply because of the beauty of the poetry of Rossetti. I always give this as a gift to my friends who enjoy beautiful acapella music.Do yourself a favor and purchase this most beautiful of all Christmas music. I own over 200 Christmas CD'S and this one gets played at least twice a season. The other Rutter Christmas CD's are excellent but not quite in the same class. This is a once in a lifetime album. It is the centerpiece of my own personal celebration of christmastime.

Beautiful Music, Beautifully Sung.......2003-12-18

This compilation of Christmas carols both traditional and modern stands in stark contrast to much of the bubble gum, soda pop Christmas music so often heard on popular radio these days. There are no divas or over the top performances or attempts to make "a moment". What there is are beautiful songs sung by talented singers.

So many of these carols are so beautiful that it's hard to pick out which are the best. More likely than not, that's going to be a highly personal choice but if you see one of your favorites on the track list you can be sure that it's well performed.

In short, this album should be part of your Christmas collection. It's best listened to in the quiet time on Christmas Eve.

A bleak Mid-winter.......2003-10-17

This CD contains the usual Rutter mix of gorgeous traditional treatments with a few incredibly schlocky arrangements. Fortunately, I can just leave the schlock off my iPod playlist (otherwise I'd return the CD).

The real letdown is my own fault: I didn't notice that "In the Bleak Midwinter" is the Darke version, not Holst. Ugh. If only the RealAudio samples had stretched one song further down the song list.

If you own one Christmas Music CD--this is it.......2002-12-24

You can't beat the polished ensemble sound of the Cambridge Singers and John Rutter has devoted his life to celebrating the joys of Anglican Christmas music. This is a coherent program of carols that you can play without skipping tracks. The selection is well-balanced and covers a broad historical range. Although there are some interesting alternatives out there for purists (such as Kings College Choir and the Tallis Singers)if you own just one CD of English Christmas music--this should be the one.

Average customer rating:

The more I listen to them, the more I like them.
Don't be put off by the idea of "transcriptions" - Buy this CD
A unique CD in Angela Hewitt's Bach cycle
Absolutely divine
Superb in parts

Bach Arrangements

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Bach: The Toccatas
Goldberg Variations
Bach: Fantasia in C minor; Two-Part Inventions; Three-Part Inventions; Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier (book 1)
Bach: French Overture, Italian Concerto, etc

ASIN: B00005N8CU
Release Date: 2001-09-11

Amazon.com

Since Bach constantly reworked his own music, it's always been seen as fair game that others should do so, too. Angela Hewitt's disc of Bach arrangements thus stands in a noble tradition, as well as carrying it boldly into the future. But if three of these 17 short pieces are Hewitt's own inventions, others are welcome discoveries from the nearly forgotten past. None of Busoni's majestic arrangements is here, but instead, we find fascinating pieces by a plethora of English composers, including Lord Berbers, Herbert Howells, and William Walton. Hewitt's own liner notes are a mine of information--some of it comic, much of it illuminating--as well as a guide to her keyboard philosophy. And her playing is as superb as we now expect. In D'Albert's version of Bach's stupendous Passacaglia in C Minor, she somehow manages to make the piano sound like a large organ echoing through a church. In other modes, she can be plangent, frisky, hesitant, or imbued with the most gorgeous cantabile; she seems to have a hotline to the religious fervor Bach wanted to evince. This disc may be built out of a collection of favorite encores, but in sum it's a feast. --Michael Church

Customer Reviews:

The more I listen to them, the more I like them........2007-07-11

After a little period of adjustment, these arrangements 'grow on you', because they are so very well performed. Bach, a great arranger himself, would have smiled a lot listening to what's been done with his stuff.

Don't be put off by the idea of "transcriptions" - Buy this CD.......2006-06-18

This is a CD you'll always enjoy revisiting. Miss Hewitt shares the deep wonders of J.S. Bach, in a powerful and moving way. I especially like the way the recording ends -- the pentultimate Passacaglia in C minor knocks you over, and the finale Alle Menschen mussen sterben gently, yet deliberately, restores the listener. Translate the German title to better understand the root of Bach's compelling theme.

A unique CD in Angela Hewitt's Bach cycle.......2005-07-27

Amassing now over a dozen CD's in her Bach cycle, Angela Hewitt puts her focus on several famous - and some not-so-famous - piano transcriptions of Bach. The overall flavor and tone of this set is a little different than her other Bach recordings. Not present in this music are the lively dance rhythms of the French courante, menuet or bourree found in the Suites or Partitas - or even much of the intellectual fugues from the "Well-Tempered Clavier" and others. Rather, there is a more introspective, gentle and often tangibly spiritual essence to the selections on this CD - largely due to many being transciptions from choral and church cantatas. In many of the more familiar pieces, there is a comforting and assuring atmosphere that Miss Hewitt communicate most sensitively - which when reading the German translation of the original works in the liner notes, would seem to be the intent of the Lutheran Kappelmeister Bach.

In her most-informative notes, Hewitt points out how "the ability to translate spirituality into sound at the keyboard is of certainly important to avoid famous tunes sounding banal or hacknayed." Her versions of the famous "Jesu" and "Sheep may safely graze" (as well as her own three lovely transcriptions) do seem to succeed in conveying a spiritual core to avoid sounding trite. In the great Bach pastoral work ("Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"), Hewitt convincingly summons the nurturing personna of Dame Myra Hess who played her piano transcription of this choral work almost daily over BBC radio to comfort many in hardship during the great war. Maybe in a couple pieces, as some suggest, Ms. Hewitt draws out her tempos a bit, but I found this gave the piece a more introspective tone that I appreciated later upon further listening. Other works on a more grand scale (like the Passacaglia for organ) reveal Bach as a daunting church composer and sound reasonably authoritive on Hewitt's piano. Her best pieces here may be also her most personally involved ones - her own three transcriptions - which embody a most moving, introspective and heartwarming quality. I think these are a humble highlight of the set.

The Hyperion sound is clear and full bodied while the substantial CD notes offer valuable history of the transciptions and Ms. Hewitt's perspectives on how she approached them. Significant coverage is given to the past legends of the piano like Kempff, Hess, Howells, d'Albert that will be appreciated especially by pianists. In short, a unique, spiritual and lovely set of recordings in Angela Hewitt's ever-growing quiver of Bach recordings.

Absolutely divine.......2005-03-23

Angela Hewitt is superb playing these transcriptions of a variety of Bach's works.

The disc starts with five excellent choices of transcriptions by Wilhelm Kempf. The first is simply splendid, namely the Sinfonia in D major. Perhaps this is the most convincing of all the works in terms of the piano being the right instrument for the music. "Wachet auf" is also peformed very well.

Next are two lovely pieces, the Mary Howe transcription of "Sheep may safely graze," and the Myra Hess transcription of "Jesu, joy of man's desiring." These are my favorites on the entire disc.

Another beautiful piece that Hewitt plays very gracefully is Harriet Cohen's transcripition of "Sanctify us by Thy goodness."

Hewitt is spectacular in the toughest piece, the Eugen d'Albert transcription of the famous Passacaglia in C minor. This piece sounds really good on the piano, but I have to admit that I miss the pedal notes.

I highly recommend this beautiful set of Bach arrangements.

Superb in parts.......2005-01-29

First, I should say I am no Bach purist and I love to hear his music performed on the piano or by symphony orchestras. However this cd is not the unalloyed pleasure which some reviewers here would have you believe. The piano sound lacks warmth and Hewitt drags out the phrases sometimes too much for my personal taste; but there is much to enjoy on this disc and its good qualities vastly outweigh the slight mannerisms
The sinfonia to bwv29 (which Bach himself later arranged for solo violin) is a superb opener. Hewitt's playing is heroic and dynamic and the bright piano tone is here an advantage. The following sicilliano is decently enough played though I find her phrasing slightly too halting. This is the case too with Nun Komm, an arrangement of one of Bach's greatest chorale preludes. Hewitt falls short in these two pieces (and 'Ich Ruf zu dir') of the magic obtained by Dinu Lipatti in his classic recording.
In the famous 'sleeper's wake', Hewitt produces some rather choppy phrases; worse, she builds melodramatically to an anachronistically 'big' climax. The wonderful 'ich ruf' is, by constrast, played with a sensitivity close to Lipatti's. She ends it rather abruptly however.
'Sheep may safety graze' for all its fame, is hardly one of Bach's better pieces. Hewitt's performace matches the gentleness of this early work, though the piano seems somehwat overly bright, this may be partly due to the arrangement. The glorious 'Jesu joy of man's desiring' receives a fine interpretation, which I found moving.
There follow a couple of arrangements of Chorale preludes by Hewitt herself. The first is the lyrical bwv 641. It is beautifully played, though again with her slightly hesitant phrasing, but the arrangement is questionable since the piece would seem to require a more sustaining intrument than the piano. The next work, bwv 614 has long been a great favourite of mine. Bach makes much use of chromaticism to convert the New Year chorale tune into a meditation on the death of the old year. Again the phrasing is 'bitty' but this is a moving performance.
Listening to Bach's early 'In Dulce Jublio', one can understand why he was berated for introducing strange tones into chorales and confusing the congregation. Hewitt's performance is very gfine indeed, but I cannot see the point of this arrangement since the piece itself is forgettable. BWV 727 is another rendition by Bach of the 'passion chorale'. Hewitt plays it hesitantly in a misguided search for expressiveness and its essentially lyrical character is somewhat lost. The fourth schubler chorale is rattled off at high speed, though with a delicate touch; there would seem to be more gravitas to this music than Hewitt suggests.
BWV 622 is one of the longest of the little organ book preludes. After a beautiful opening, she loses her way somewhat in the second part. The arrangement of Bwv 22 (which is a setting of a hymn tune which flowing sountermelody much in the manner of 'jesu joy) is given a good rhythmic performace.
Hewitt's performance of the arrangemant of the glorious aria from bwv 127 is, to my ears, the highlight of the cd. Truly wonderful music, wonderfully played, though she does her trick as in 'sleeper's wake' of overdramatising the climax.
The passacaglia and fugue is by far the weightiest work on the disc. This herculean work allows Hewitt to display her muscular side. This plays the opening of the fugue especially superbly which will be no surprise to those who have heard her performances of the 48, but again the climax is slightly marred by over-emphatic playing. I have less taste for the passacaglia than many, but Hewitt's playing brings it to life as well as could be imagined on the piano which is perhaps not the mots suitable instrument
The disc ends with a sensitive account of bwv 643. It seems a strange choice to end, since the piece itself, though pleasing enough, is not of Bach's finer inspirations. It does however bring the cd to a conclusion with a sense of repose.

Mistletoe and Wine: A Seasonal Collection

Average customer rating:

buy this one first
Great introduction to Mediaeval Baebes
Great choral versions of ancient songs
A pleasing tone
A "best of", not really a Christmas record

Mistletoe and Wine: A Seasonal Collection

Manufacturer: Nettwerk Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mirabilis
The Rose
Worldes Blysse
Undrentide
Salva Nos (Save Us)

ASIN: B0000AM6O4
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

The Holly & The Ivy
Gaudete
L'Amour De Moi
Salva Nos
Glass Window
There Is No Rose of Swych Vertu
Kinderly
In Dulce Jubilo
Love Me Broughte
I Am Eve
Quan Vey La Lauzeta
The Coventry Carol
Undrentide
Ecce Mundi Gaudium
Blow Northern Wind

Customer Reviews:

buy this one first.......2006-06-29

This is not really a Christmas, or even a seasonal, album, more of a best of the Babes. yYs, they lead off with "The Holly and the Ivy" (and do it beautifully) but do not buy this as a "holiday music album"... or do... you won't regret buying it whatever your reasons!
This was my introduction to this band and I was absolutely floored. It lived in my car CD player for 2 months straight, and still is in the first section of my CD storage unit.... a rare honor for *any* Cd. It is also responsible for causing me to go out and try to buy every other CD the band has out, and I have not been disapointed in any of the ones I have gotten so far.
Speaking as a former music major, religious student, and medieval re-creationist, I know I can be pretty nit picky when it comes to "medieval" music; all too often it is neither medieval, nor (in my opinion) music! This is one of those rare exceptions that can manage to get you out of a chair to dance, while singing at the top of your lungs in Olde Englishe, Latin, or whatever. There isnt a bad voice in the lot (although some of the harmonies can be a bit odd if you arent used to medieval music) and the instrumental backings are pure gold.

Great introduction to Mediaeval Baebes.......2006-02-27

This CD has many songs from previous albums and a few new songs. It is a great introduction to Mediaeval Baebes music and serves as "best of" type of collection. It is billed as a "holiday" collection but I listen to it year round and quite often. The Mediaeval Baebes have a very unique and wonderful sound.

Great choral versions of ancient songs.......2005-11-19

I first heard the Mediaeval Baebes on a UK double CD (Best carols in the world ever) featuring three of their trackss (Guadete, Coventry carol, Adam lay ibounden), all of which can also be found on their debut album, but my curiosity only became aroused when that UK double CD was updated and repackaged with a different title (Best Christmas carols ever) and all the Mediaeval Baebes tracks were omitted with other choirs replacing them. My research showed that they have become an established group (albeit with line-up changes) and are now very successful in their chosen style, which some may regard as classical but (since they sing with their natural voices rather than operatic voices) seems more like traditional folk music to me.

This is not a Christmas album in the true sense of the word although there are some recognizable Christmas carols here - rather it is a compilation of music taken from their earlier albums together with a couple of re-recordings and two completely new recordings. I would have liked some liner notes giving some detailed information about the songs but very little information is actually provided. Apparently, much more information can found in the booklets provided with the original album releases. Still, it's the music that counts and, when it comes to choral music, this is as good as it gets.

The set opens with The holly and the ivy, set to the tune that everybody is familiar with. I seem to remember reading somewhere that this tune, although old, is not the original tune written for the song. This is where liner notes would be useful - and as this is one of the new recordings, their original albums won't help. Given that the Mediaeval Baebes aim to re-record very old songs, it would have been nice to hear them sing it to its original tune if it really was different from the current one. I suppose it doesn't matter since they sing the song superbly anyway.

Other Christmas carols that you are likely to recognize are Gaudete (revived most famously by folk-rockers Steeleye Span), In dulce jubilo (a new recording for this album, it was recorded in the seventies by Mike Oldfield, who had a UK hit with his instrumental version) and The Coventry carol. The other songs are unfamiliar to me but the group perform them all brilliantly. The other song of theirs on that UK carols compilation (Adam lay ibounded) is not included, but there's plenty else to make up for that omission.

The instruments used to back the group (mostly played by members of the group) are interesting. They include a zither, a hurdygurdy, a citern, a glockenspiel, an astrowheel and three different types of recorder - not the kind of instruments to be heard regularly on pop and rock albums. I was particularly pleased to find the recorders here. Like many Brits of my generation, I was forced to learn to play the recorder at school (I did so very badly) and so the recorder has never had a great reputation, but when played well and in the right setting (as here), it sounds wonderful.

This is a fine compilation in many ways but it may be that one of the original albums (which apparently have detailed liner notes) will provide an even better introduction to the music of the Mediaeval Baebes. Despite my reservations, this is still (easily) a five-star album and I'll certainly listen to more of their music eventually.

A pleasing tone.......2004-12-02

This is probably one of my new favorite Christmas albums. It is an absolute gem. It isn't an over-powering album with new or different things but they have recorded a few lesser known Latin Carols that are not given much attention anymore. Gaudete was one that stood out. The arrangement is rather simple and beautiful and the song itself is melodic in an unusual way. I have found that this CD has appealed to a fairly wide spectrum of people and would make a great album to play in the background during the Holidays. I think this would be the perfect thing to put on in the late afternoon in December while curling up with a good book or wrapping presents.

A "best of", not really a Christmas record.......2004-03-27

Potential purchasers should bear that in mind. As with the Medieval Baebes debut album it contains a small proportion of `holiday season' material, but most of it can be listened to without embarrassment at any time of the year. (In my experience, all of it can - even on a warm spring afternoon I can't bring myself to program out `In Dulci Jubilo', `The Holly...' etc).

Another thing potential purchasers should bear in mind - this compilation winds up being a better "best of" than the album of that name.

It's more representative - career-spanning and able to demonstrate the increasing ambition and complexity of the arrangements, and of Katharine Blake's compositions. (Of course, some of their experiments with modern instrumentation on the `Undrentide' album didn't work, but they don't appear here).

It's also more enjoyable on a basic musical level - there are no over-repetitive pieces, no odd song-fragments...nothing that drags. Or maybe there are a couple of weak spots - "I Am Eve" which goes on a little too long, and Audrey Evans's rendition of "L'amour de moi" which is suprisingly weak, and no substitute for the original featuring the much-missed Dorothy Carter - but these are easily forgiven.

Tracks:

Messiah: Pastoral Symphony
Love's Ole Sweet Song
In dulci jobilo
A Dream
The Prince Of Denmark's March: Trumpet Voluntary
Wedding March From Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus
Variations on a Theme by Haydn: St. Anthony's Chorale
Cantata No.140: Sleepers, Awake!
Guitar Concerto in D: Largo
Cantata No. 99: What God Hath Done, Is Rightly Done
Tempo di Minuetto
Cantata No. 85: See What His Love Can Do
Orchestral Suite No.3 In D: Air On The G String
Ave verum corpus
Serse: Largo
Suite No.3: Siciliana
Water Music - Suite No.2: Andante - Allegro
Trumpet Concerto In A-Flat: Allegro
Premiere Suite: Rondeau
Cantata No.129: Praise Be To God
Water Music - Suite No.2: Alla hornpipe

Customer Reviews:

Great Reference CD!.......2006-01-09

This is a great compilation, CD, along with Bride's Guide to Wedding Music Volume I, to use as a reference for some of the more popular wedding songs, such as Trumpet Voluntary, Vivaldi's Spring from the Four Seasons, Trumpet Tune and Canon, i.e. Pachelbel's Canon. All of the musicians are generally superb, and the sound quality is very good. However, this is most useful if you are playing the CD at your wedding, or using it as a reference CD to talk over with an organist, a string quartet, etc. I only gave it four stars based on practicality, not on quality. If it were just quality, I would give it five stars. I purchased this CD since I am in the process of making my own wedding CD (I am a professional, freelance violinist), and this was nice to listen to, even just as background music for dinner.

Interesting musical selections, but ..........2005-01-06

As the other reviewer noted, one doesn't have to be getting married to enjoy this CD...and the musical selections are certainly interesting, even eclectic. I have to wonder, however, who picked these out with what criteria since at least a couple of these melodies are not traditional wedding tunes. By this I mean the lovely arrangement of Michael Praetorius' "In Dulci Jubilo." In his home country of Germany, where I used to live until a couple of years ago, this is a Christmas carol, sung at Christmas Eve services throughout the land. The lyrics aren't especially suited to any sort of wedding, really. Unless you're marrying in December, I personally would steer clear of this song. And if the wedding's in June and you have European guests, don't be surprised if eyebrows are raised when this melody is played!

A Nice Wedding Compilation.......2001-07-24

This album provides you with some good reference materials on planning the music for your wedding. Many of us may sit around wondering what on earth "Tempo di Mineutto" is. Well, with this album you will wonder no more. This is a pretty good compilation of some wedding favorites set in order that they would appear in your ceremony (prelude, processional, ceremony and recessional). Even if you aren't planning a wedding, this album provides you with some really good classical music to relax by. At a good discount, this CD is a nice addition to any collection. I would recommend this disc.

Average customer rating:

great music bad presentation
A Must for Oldfield Fans
Gives a new light on early Oldfield's recordings
Mike and Me
Superb

Boxed

Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Amarok
Tubular Bells III
Exposed
Tubular Bells 2003
Mike Oldfield - Live at Montreux 1981

ASIN: B0000072NT
Release Date: 2002-12-10

Tracks:

Tubular Bells: Part One
Tubular Bells Part: Two
The Rio Grande
Portsmouth
In Dulci Jubilo

Tracks:

Hergest Ridge: Part One
Hergest Ridge: Part Two
An Extract From Star's End
Argiers
Speak (Tho You Only Say Farewell)

Tracks:

Ommadawn: Part One
Ommadawn: Part Two
The Phaeacian Games
First Excursion

Customer Reviews:

great music bad presentation.......2005-06-08

There is no doubt that the music in this so called boxed set is very good and for further info I humbly refer you to previous reviews. My disapointment comes in the destruction of the artist concept and display of the product. After reading the reviews I realized that most of you recall the album release, the albums came in a box format hence the title. But i do not know if the same people recall the original release of the cd which came in a clam shell box cleverly reproducing the album presentation. What is being past as a box is now a jewel case inside a flimsy slip cover the title should now be changed to Mike Oldfield jeweled cased.

A Must for Oldfield Fans.......2004-02-27

I have to say it... this is one of the best showcases of Mike's earlier work. This remixed version of "Tubular Bells" was created as a way to convince Mike that a quadraphonic mix should be created and released. Mike listened and proclaimed it perfect as was, so it was released. The original version, compared to this remix, sounded cluttered and confused. Also, the original American quad pressing, using the CD-4 system as opposed to the SQ format used in England, was marred by a very poor quality pressing. Contrary to what was said in the booklet accompanying this box set in CD, the recordings held on these discs are, in fact, SQ quad despite claims otherwise. I also have the LP set, and I directly compared them. So if you have a Dolby Pro Logic II setting on your playback system, by all means use it. The mix of "Ommadawn" is the same as was originally released on both SQ and QS quad versions in England, and on SQ here. The first part contains a chant, by Clodagh Simonds, that builds up toward the conclusion. Played back in surround, this chant takes on an etherial quality; Clodagh's voice suspended in mid-air as the additional instruments gradually come in. This is lost in the stereo mix, which I also have on another CD. "Hergest Ridge" features a musical tone poem, as it could be described, of where Mike was brought up. The shorter selections in the "Collaborations" album are also quite good. "In Dulci Jubilo", which is a Christmas song, takes on a highland fling style. As for "Speak", it's a duet with Mike and David Bedford on the vocals. This is a great box set, and I encourage any true Mike Oldfield fan to add it to their collection.

Gives a new light on early Oldfield's recordings.......2003-08-06

This is a must have for real Oldfield's fan..."Ommadawn", "Hergest ridge" and "Tubular bells" are his classic works, here they come along in slightly different versions and unreleased songs...The songs are really interesting especially delicate piano tune "Speak..." with vocals by Mike and beautifull "first excursion", that signals a beginning of "Incantations" era....
"Tubular bells" has a bit different sound from original and it features diffrrent ending - very funny "sailor's hornipipe" version with crazy commentary by Drunken Vivian Stanhall (master of ceremony in part 1) - a very nice suprise...
If you are a big fan of Early progressive and instrumental music,or just a Mike Oldfield fan this is a must have for you - it is also good for those fans that don't have internet to collect Mike's rare songs...

Mike and Me.......2003-04-05

Like most people, I suppose, first became aware of Mike Oldfield when THE EXORCIST first came out. Those haunting strains from TUBULAR BELLS really affected me when I saw the film lo these many yuears ago and again when I bought the album. I hyave owned that one in just about every format possible from Long Playing Record through Cassette tape to midi file and now on CD thanks to this beautiful set. A set which also features HERGEST RIDGE, OMMADAWN (another GREAT Mike Oldfield composition btw) and an album of collaborations. Unlike the LP version (which I have also owned of this boxed set) the cd boxed splits the collaborations on to the three cds that contain his first three albums. This seems to me a better way to hear them then all piled together on a separate cd the way they were with the record. They seem to complete the listening experience one has when one puts a Mike Oldfield work into one's cd player one soon notices that---whatever one is listening to: Tubular Bells, Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn...whatever---it's just not long enough. One wants the listening experience to continue..or, at least, one wants a few encores. And that's what you get here. What can I say, kids? BUY IT!!!

Superb.......2003-01-31

I was thrilled to see that this was available. I had to get my copy through a friend in England.

This CD set is an excellent collection of Oldfield's early work, and the re-mix on Tubular Bells (including the original Sailor's Hornpipe, as opposed to the toned down version used for the original American release) is hysterical (but a bit blind-siding if you're very familiar with the original -- first time I listened to it I almost pulled the needle off the LP so I could check the LP for problems).

Tracks:

Jauchzet, Frohlocket, Auf Preiset Die Tage - RIAS Kammerchor
Alle Jahre Wieder - Rita Streich
Maria Auf Dem Berge - Rita Streich
Ihr Kinderlein Kommet - Rita Streich
Echolied Der Hirten - Rita Streich
O Du Frohliche - Rita Streich
Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen - Rita Streich
Vom Himmel Hoch, O Englein, Kommt - Fritz Wunderlich
Was Soll Das Bedeuten - Fritz Wunderlich
O Freude Uber Freude - Fritz Wunderlich
Ich Steh An Deiner Krippen Hier - Fritz Wunderlich
Gottes Sohn Ist Kommen (Gott, Durch Deine Gute) BWV 600 - Helmut Walcha
Gelobet Seist Du, Jesus Christ BWV 604 - Helmut Walcha
Der Tag, Der Ist So Freudenreich BWV 605 - Helmut Walcha
Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her BWV 606 - Helmut Walcha
Vom Himmel Karn Der Engel Schar BWV 607 - Helmut Walcha
O Du Frohliche, O Du Selige - Maria Stader
On Christmas Night - Maria Stader
Als Die Welt Verloren - Maria Stader
Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging - Maria Stader
Herbei, O Ihr Glaubigen - Maria Stader
Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen - Maria Stader
Marie Et Joseph - Maria Stader
In Dulci Jubilo - Maria Stader
Kommet Ihr Hirten - Maria Stader
Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her - Maria Stader
Freu Dich, Erd' Und Sternenzelt - Maria Stader
O Jesulein Zart - Maria Stader
D'ou Viens-tu, Belle Bergere - Maria Stader
Ach Du Mein Liebes Jesulein - Maria Stader
Seht, Das Kindlein Weinet - Maria Stader
Kindlein Zart - Maria Stader
Schlaf, Mein Kindlein - Maria Stader
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht - Maria Stader
Denn Es Ist Uns Ein Kind Geboren - Gundula Janowitz
Es Waren Hirten Beisammen Auf Dem Felde - Gundula Janowitz
Ehre Sei Gott In Der Hohe - Gundula Janowitz

Tracks:

Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht - Don Kosaken Chor Serge Jaroff
O Du Frohliche, O Du Selige - Don Kosaken Chor Serge Jaroff
O Tannenbaum - Don Kosaken Chor Serge Jaroff
SuBer Die Glocken Nie Klingen - Don Kosaken Chor Serge Jaroff
Vivace - Grave - Allegro - Fritz Neumeyer
Adagio - Allegro - Adagio - Fritz Neumeyer
Vivace - Fritz Neumeyer
Allegro - Pastorale Ad Libitum (Largo) - Fritz Neumeyer
Vom Himmel Hoch - Rita Streich
Die Hirten Auf Dem Falde - Rita Streich
Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging - Rita Streich
Still, Still, Still - Rita Streich
SuBer Die Glocken - Rita Streich
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht - Rita Streich
In Dulci Jubilo BWV 608 - Helmut Walcha
Lobt Gott, Ihr Christen, Allzugleich BWV 609 - Helmut Walcha
Wir Christenleut' BWV 612 - Helmut Walcha
In Dir Ist Freude BWV 615 - Helmut Walcha
Weihnachtslied Der Hirten - Schlaf Wohl, Du Himmels - Knabe Du - Jorg Demus
Uns Ist Geboren Ein Kindelein - Jorg Demus
Ich Steh An Deiner Krippen Hier - Jorg Demus
1. Christbaum - Irmgard Seefried
2. Die Hirten - Irmgard Seefried
3. Die Konige - Irmgard Seefried
4. Simeon - Irmgard Seefried
5. Christus Der Kinderfreund - Irmgard Seefried
6. Christkind - Irmgard Seefried
Maria Wiegenlied Op. 76, No. 52 -Maria Sitzt Am Rosenhag- - Wolfgang Schneiderhan
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken
O Tannenbaum - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken
Kommet, Ihr Hirten - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken
Leise Rieselt Der Schnee - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken
Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken

Customer Reviews:

Great music and an astonishing amount of it!.......2006-02-28

The business folks at DG must have a soft spot for Christmas music, probably leftover goodwill from growing up with caroling in the snow. Certainly the German language nations seem to have excelled in producing a wealth of Christmas tunes, jingles, chorales, hymns, and rounds. This compliation is a two CD set of very good to great singers and performers who are quite to the manor born, or maybe I should say manger.
The easy way to decide if two hours of German Xmas gemutlichkeit is for you is simply to listen to the enormous selections on Amazon's sound sampler.

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