Christmas Gifts

Track Listings

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Anton Del Forno

2. O Little Town of Bethlehem

3. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

4. What Child Is this (Greensleeves)

5. O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)

6. Silent Night

7. O Come All Ye Faithful

8. Ave Maria

9. Deck The Halls

10. White Christmas

11. The First Noel

12. Joy to the World

13. O Holy Night

14. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

15. Auld Lang Syne

Editorial Reviews
The American Record Guide,December 2001
"DelForno's playing is solid, with a fulltone and strong techinque".

Album Description
Anton Del Forno performed Christmas carols during his special solo guitar Christmas Day Concert at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, New York, USA. Following these repeated events, "Christmas Gifts" was recorded. Del Forno has transcrbed these carols for classical guitar, and they are published with Master's Music Publiiications.

Tracks:

Ave Verum Corpus, K.618 - Adapted by Chris Hazell
Deep River - Arranged by Chris Hazell
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
I'll Walk Beside You - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Stabat Mater
Still, Still, Still Weils Kindlein Schlafen Will
Simple Gifts - Arranged by Chris Hazell
How Great Thou Art
Panis Angelicus - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Bless This House - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Ave Verum Corpus
Cavatina - Arranged by Chris Hazell
The Rose
Amazing Grace - Arranged by Chris Hazell
God's Mercy
Morning Has Broken - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Nearer My God To Thee - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Ave Maria
Send In The Clowns - Arranged by Jonathan Tunick
God Will Be With You

Amazon.com

Everything about Bryn Terfel is over-life-size: his physique, his personality, his breath-control, and of course his extraordinarily beautiful voice. This recording displays his stunning vocalism and versatility to full advantage, but its title belies its content. Alhough it does include some simple pieces, the execution is fussy, overdone, and calculated for maximum external effect. The program ranges from Mozart, Pergolesi and pseudo-Bach to Sondheim in arrangements that are pure Hollywood, complete with throbbing strings and rolling drums, often destroying the spirit as well as the letter of the original compositions. It begins with Mozart's heavenly "Ave verum" arranged for baritone solo and chorus, frustratingly cut off after a few phrases (another setting of the same text by Karl Jenkins, written for Terfel, is more satisfying, being complete and original). The splendid baritone Simon Keenlyside joins him here as well as in the opening number of Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater;" originally for soprano and alto, this must be the baritones' revenge on female singers who usurp songs written for men, like Schubert's and Schumann's cycles. Franck's "Panis angelicus" also inexplicably becomes a duet; unfortunately, Terfel's and tenor Aled Jones' voices do not match. Bach-Gounod's popular "Ave Maria" is all swells and exaggerations. The rest of the program consists of folksongs, hymns, show and film tunes, inflated to operatic proportions and generally ending in a fade-out or a flourish. Even the title song is anything but simple. This record is not for purists who like their music performed the way the composer wrote it, but aficionados of great singing will love it. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Bryn Terfel's beautiful voice........2007-05-13

Bryn Terfel has a beautiful voice. Listening to him is very pleasant and definitely something to look forward to. I read a review saying he would replace tenor Pavroti. However, I believe that Mr. Terfel is a Baritone and not a Tenor. That does not detract from the fact that he should be considered one of the world's top male singers. His voice is truly impressive. This CD by Bryn Terfel is one from our collection that is outstanding and a favorite.

Why do people think this guy can sing??.......2007-04-27

Sorry, I think this guy is one of the most overrated singers out there today. He always sounds like he is singing holding his nose shut. VERY nasal sounding.

If you want to listen to an incredibly beautiful voice, buy one of Josh Groban's CD's--you won't regret it! He has the voice of the century!

Relaxing.......2007-02-03

Excellent selection of music. It covers many different types. My wife likes being able to hear the words with out instruments drowning out the vocals. I find it relaxing and many of the songs are familiar and very well done.

Bryn Terfel's Simple Gifts.......2006-02-25

Simply superb. I don't know what our local (Wash DC) paper was talking about when they said Deep River was the weakest link. I was enthralled from beginning to end. I have had the pleasure of hearing Bryn Terfel live in recital at the Kennedy Center. I can assure you that his voice has only improved with age. He was wonderful then and is spectacular now!

A Heartfelt Offering Reminiscent of An Earlier Era.......2006-02-15

Bryn Terfel harkens back to earlier American operatic stars such as Richard Tucker and Robert Merrill who crossed grenres to satisfy their unquenchable need to sing any and all songs that moved them to an appreciative public. These great singers all had their origins singing sacred music from their respective religions and learned to lay their considerable talents before the altar of the simple inspirational song.

This recording is wonderful on many levels. The selections are an unusual mixture of classical sacred music, spirituals, hymns, Lieder, Austrian Christmas and Gaelic songs, musical numbers and movie theme songs harmoniously combined to touch the soul of the listener in a gentle ebb and flow of devotion, intensity and tenderness. All of these songs are beautiful in and of themselves and in his hands, we experience them anew.

Bryn Terfel sings with the commitment necessary to make the awesome challenge of simplicity look easy. To my way of thinking, he is the most communicative and articulate singer today, bar none. He is a poet who savors the sound, feeling and meaning of each and every word and marries it uniquely and faithfully to the music. He transports the listener into the life of a song and transfixes us each and every moment. His enormous talent is not overwhelming or distractive and is inextricably and wholly intertwined with the music. This is greatness and it is very, very rare today.

I like the inclusion of the choir in several of the numbers as it reflects on the nature and context of the songs. I am less fond of the selections with the guest soloists as I feel they do not match his ability to "get inside" a song. The orchestra and orchestations are sensitive and enhancing.

This recording is simply wonderful and should have a broad appeal. It will move and inspire the believer, satisfy and fulfill the otherwise spiritual, calm the troubled and renew a flagging soul.

A Little Chrismas Music: Kiri Te Kanawa; The King's Singers

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a voice teacher and early music fan
like all but one track
Heaven is here!
A Very Mixed Bag
Among My Top 10 Christmas Recordings

A Little Chrismas Music: Kiri Te Kanawa; The King's Singers
various/traditional , Dame Kiri Te Kanawa , The King's Singers , London Sinfonia , and Richard Hickox
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
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Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

Here We Come A-Wassailing
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
The Little Drummer Boy
I Wonder As I Wander
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen
Ding Dong! Merrily On High
Stille Nacht
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
A Little Christmas Music (Medley A La Mozart)
The Coventry Carol (Lully, Lulla)
The Boar's Head Carol
Gaudete
Joy To The World
Three Spanish Carols: Riu, Riu, Chiu
Three Spanish Carols: El Nino Querido
Three Spanish Carols: Villancico Catalan
Deck The Hall
The Wexford Carol
The Gift (Simple Gifts)
Patapan And Farandole

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-11-29

The King's Singers come to us steeped in the 500 year old English tradition of choral singing; and that's fine with me.!!!There are 6 singers in this group (the personnel change from time to time)namely: Jeremy Jackman and Alastair Hume (countertenors)- Robert Chilcott (tenor)- Bruce Russell and Simon Carrington (baritones) and Stephen Connolly (bass). They are very capably accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia and Brass Quintet conducted by Richard Hickox. An added PLUS is the great Kiri Te Kanawa who sings an arrangement by Daryl Runswick entitled "A Little Christmas Music (Medley a la Mozart)". It's a hodge-podge of Mozart melodies sewn together in a rather haphazard manner, and meant to be humorous. I guess this type of composition does not appeal to me personally, and I'm sorry that Kiri's glorious voice was wasted. However, that's only MY opinion; I am certain others may disagree.
This album is really a mixture of Christmas tunes and that's partly what makes it interesting. And, of course it is masterfully sung by the King's singers;I enjoy all their discs; especially the recording of Gilbert and Sullivan tunes. Some of the arrangements on this disc are somewhat esoteric, and I'm not too fond of the very STRANGE arrangement (again by Daryl Runswick) of the Coventry Carol, but 'to each his own'. Their opening selection:"Here We Come a-wassailing" (arr. Robert Chilcott) is a great opening number and I must say that it's the best arrangement I have ever heard of this selection.
Let's face it:the KING'S SINGERS are perfection. But don't forget our American group:Chanticleer.

like all but one track.......2006-02-02

With the exception of track 11 (The Coventry Carol, Lully lulla) I really like this CD. I personally prefer the traditional renditions of The Coventry Carol. I do not like the "modern" harmonics and arrangement of it on this CD. Otherwise, it is very fine, indeed.

Heaven is here!.......2005-10-26

Xmas carols are always touching, but this cd is beyond all you have already heard. The King's Singers plus Kiri Te Kanawa is a combination of angelical adult voices, yes, adults can also have angelical voices. Buy this cd and check yourself if it is not true!

A Very Mixed Bag.......2003-08-15

I've often admired the King's Singers' performances, and of course they are a famous and accomplished ensemble, noted for the precision of their close-harmony singing, so I was looking forward to this CD. I regret to say that I find it a very mixed bag, on the whole disappointing. Unfortunately the reliable executant skills of the King's Singers are not matched here by their judgment and taste in choosing arrangements--perhaps there was too great a push for mixing it up, adding variety, "something different." The resulting arrangements are wildly uneven, some of them unattractive and tasteless in varying degrees from mild to dreadful. They range from the very good (bands 7 and 18: straightforward a cappella close-harmony, which is what these singers do best), to exotic (band 16), to schmaltzy (band 5), to busy (band 8), to campy (bands 11 and 19), to cutesy (bands 3 and 6), to terminally cutesy-poo (bands 4, 11, and 19). "Deck the halls," for example, is done in by its arch, cutesy-poo arrangement, as is "White Christmas," which even includes a bizarre, wholly gratuitous interpolation of a bit from Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije, God knows why!

Band 12, "The Coventry Carol," the longest cut on the CD, demands special mention: it is downright awful. The annotator of this CD writes cosily, "And of course there are the old traditional English Christmas songs, all mulled wine and mince pies." Nothing could be less descriptive of what we get here, where the misguided, pretentious, weird, grotesquely ugly, far-out dissonant-modern arrangement does its utmost to pervert and spoil this lovely old English carol, twisting and distorting it into something almost unrecognizable; this cut is a real horror. (Sir David Willcocks, the famed King's College choirmaster under whom the King's Singers trained and sang as youths, would be appalled. The man responsible for this travesty, one Daryl Runswick, also arranged two other selections; his consistently tasteless arrangements comprise three of the four worst on the CD.)

The performing forces vary from the a cappella singers to accompaniments with brass ensemble or orchestra. The variable but undistinguished engineering (EMI's Abbey Road studios, 1989)--over-processed, over-bright, hard-edged, and occasionally canned-sounding--is an additional drawback. If you like traditional Christmas music (as I do) you might want to think twice before buying this CD. At least try to listen to it first. Caveat emptor.

Among My Top 10 Christmas Recordings.......2002-12-26

King's Singers maintains the highest standard for all those who aspire to create spine-tingling a cappella harmony. Somewhat akin to the small number of their peers worldwide, no style seems off limits to their abilities. But certain aspects set the King's Singers apart. Perhaps it is their early and consistent training in the English choral discipline, or the many, years of touring together in one combination or other. Their most remarkable quality is their quintessentially English sound -- the pipe-like tone produced especially in the mid- to upper registers -- that is at once remarkably free of vibrato, but still alive with overtones. If one listens closely to the solo parts, it becomes evident: the sound isn't produced merely by excellent group intervallic intonation, but by individual voices capable of producing overtones. Thus, it's the sound you can't hear that takes your breath away.

Because the recording is so excellent on the whole, one disappointment stands out: I wish that Coventry Carol had been saved for another recording. The dissonances conjure up distressing images at odds with the overall effect they seem to have been trying to accomplish with the recording, and I can certainly imagine that in another context, I might have been interested and emotionally moved, rather than unsettled and annoyed.

In any case, this has remained for years one of my favorite Christmas recordings, and I have to give it 5 stars.

Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Vol. 8
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Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Vol. 8
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rock-It Science
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure 2001

ASIN: B000KX0HJG
Release Date: 2006-12-12

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Shine On [Performed by the Cast of Tarzan]
St. Nick Swing [Performed by the Cast of the Producers]
Bring a Torch/Joy to the World/Go Tell It [Performed by the cast of The
Birthday of a King [Performed by the Cast of Les Miserables]
This Little Light of Mine [Performed by the Cast of Mary Poppins]
O Come, O Come Emmanuel [Performed by the Cast of Mamma Mia]
Gospel Hallelujah [Performed by the Cast of Hairspray] - Hairspray to Heaven
Key to Christmas [Performed by the Cast of Beauty & The Beast]
Angels We Have Heard on High (On a Theme of Jonathan Larson) [Performed
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas [Performed by the cast of Phanto
Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Child [Performed by the Cast of Chicago]
First Noel [Performed by the Cast of Wicked]
O Come All Ye Faithful [Performed by the Cast of a Chorus Line]
O Holy Night [Performed by the Cast of Jersey Boys]
Go Tell It on the Mountain [Performed by the Cast of the Lion King]
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen [Performed by the Cast of Sweeney Todd] - Sweeney Todd
Auld Lang Syne [Performed by the Cast of Company]

Tracks:

Holi-Daze [Performed by the Cast of Avenue Q] - Avenue Q
December's Other, Less Famous Holiday [Performed by the cast of 25th A
Joseph's Dream [Performed by the Cast of Altar Boyz] - Altar Boyz
Something Must Be Wrong with My Mistletoe [Performed by the cast of Di - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Hanukah Song [Performed by the Cast of the Wedding Singer]
Like a Snowman [Performed by the Cast of Kiki & Herb] - Kiki & Herb
Rockin' Christmas Angel [Performed by the Cast of Drowsy Chaperone]
Holiday Story
O Little Town of Bethlehem [Performed by the cast of Monty Python's Spa

Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Vol. 5

Average customer rating:

O Holy Frenchie!
Holiday Music with a Purpose

Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Vol. 5
Antonio Banderas , Hugh Jackman , Harvey Fierstein , Idina Menzel , John Tartaglia , and Frenchie Davis
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000UHFXK
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Tracks:

Holiday Hop [It's a Wonderful Life]
O Holy Night - Gary Adler, John Tartaglia
Peces en el Rio (The Fish in the River)
Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel
This Christmas Day
Christmas Lullaby
Coming of Christmastime
Rod's Christmas
Silent Night
Wrapped Up Nice - Idina Menzel

Tracks:

I Saw Three Ships
Sing Out - Liz McCartney
Too Fat to Fit
I'll Stay Strong - Michael Lavine,
Ave Maria
Jingle Bells, Chicago Style
Angelo Rosenbaum
How Great Our Joy/Joy to the World - Steve Lavner, Denny Paschall, Glenn Rainey
Christmastime on Highway 13
O Tannenbaum

Customer Reviews:

O Holy Frenchie!.......2006-04-26

Yep, that's American Idol Bad Girl, Frenchie Davis, belting "O Holy Night" ... THE reason to buy this CD.

Holiday Music with a Purpose.......2003-12-08

This series of albums draws on the forces of today's Broadway show casts who each contribute a holiday song to this double CD. All proceeds go to Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.

Song list:
DISC ONE --
The Holiday Hop (cast of 42nd Street);
O Holy Night (Rent);
Los Peces en El Rio (Nine featuring Antonio Banderas);
Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel (Hairspray);
This Christmas Day (Beauty & the Beast);
A Christmas Lullaby (Mamma Mia!);
The Coming of Christmas (Thoroughly Modern Millie);
Rod's Christmas (Avenue Q featuring Rod);
Silent Night (Big River);
Wrapped Up Nice (Boy From Oz featuring Hugh Jackman);
DISC TWO --
I Saw Three Ships (Wicked);
Sing Out (Gypsy);
Too Fat To Fit (The Producers);
I'll Stay Strong (Aida);
Ave Maria (Taboo);
Chicago Style Jingle Bells (Chicago);
Angelo Rosenbaum (The Lion King);
How Great Our Joy / Joy to the World (Phantom);
Christmastime on Highway 13 (Urinetown);
O Tannenbaum (Cabaret featuring Raul Esparza).

Tracks:

Behold Man
Simple Gifts
America the Beautiful
Star Spangled Banner
Psalm 150
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
When I Fall in Love
Bring Him Home
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
Once Upon a Time
In This Heart of Mine
I Shall Miss Loving You
Looking Forward
Who Will Heal the World
Who Will Heal the World [Multimedia Track]

Tracks:

Soon-Ah Will Be Done
Swingin' With the Saints
Gloria Fanfare
Ave Maria
Gloria
Peace, Peace
Spaseniye Sodelal (Salvation Is Created)
Nessun Dorma
Majesty and Glory of Your Name
Never Ever
Let Me Be the Music
Lux Aeterna
I Have Loved
Awakening
We Shall Overcome

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Traditional & Modern Carols
Theatre of Voices , and Hillier
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006I49C
Release Date: 2002-11-12

Average customer rating:

Fun and Refreshing

Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Vol. 5

Manufacturer: Rock-it Science
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0006Q3MUS
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Tracks:

Holiday Hop [It's a Wonderful Life]
O Holy Night - Gary Adler, John Tartaglia
Peces en el Rio (The Fish in the River)
Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel
This Christmas Day
Christmas Lullaby
Coming of Christmastime
Rod's Christmas
Silent Night
Wrapped Up Nice - Idina Menzel

Tracks:

I Saw Three Ships
Sing Out - Liz McCartney
Too Fat to Fit
I'll Stay Strong - Michael Lavine,
Ave Maria
Jingle Bells, Chicago Style
Angelo Rosenbaum
How Great Our Joy/Joy to the World - Steve Lavner, Denny Paschall, Glenn Rainey
Christmastime on Highway 13
O Tannenbaum

Product Description

This perennial favorite brings Broadways best wishing you their holiday best! Hairspray, Gypsy, Nine and Avenue Q are just of few of the shows raising their voices for the cause. Also lending their voices are Antonio Banderas, Hugh Jackman and Harvey Fierstein. Songs Include: 42nd Street The Holiday Hop Aida I'll Stay Strong Avenue Q Rod's Christmas Beauty & the Beast This Christmas Day Big River Silent Night Boy From Oz Wrapped up Nice Cabaret O Tannenbaum Chicago Jingle Bells, Chicago Style Gypsy Sing Out Hairspray Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel The Lion King Angelo Rosenbaum Mamma Mia A Christmas Lullaby Nine Los Peces en El Rio (The Fish in the River) Phantom of the Opera Joy to the World/ How Great our Joy The Producers Too Fat to Fit Rent O Holy Night Taboo Ave Maria Thoroughly Modern Millie The Coming of Christmastime Urinetown Christmastime on Highway 13 Wicked I Saw Three Ships

Customer Reviews:

Fun and Refreshing.......2006-03-05

I purchased this CD on a whim, and I was absolutely shocked when I got to track #4- "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel," by the cast of "Hairspray." I loved the upbeat humor, and as the song progressed, I realized I'd heard this version before- it was on South Park! I could not BELIEVE what I was hearing, but I completely adored it. As I listened through the rest of the 2-CD set, I concluded it would undoubtedly be one of my favorite holiday albums. It was a wonderful combination of traditional renditions, such as a beautiful "O Holy Night" performed by the cast of "Rent" and new, humorous songs, including "Too Fat to Fit" by the cast of "The Producers" which was had a personality reminiscent of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," "Angelo Rosenbaum," sung by Thom Christopher Warren of "Lion King," and "Sing Out" by the cast of "Gypsy."

Overall, the CD set was a wonderful surprise; I had expected a 2 CD set filled with well-sung music, but I was rewarded with a compilation as diverse as peoples' view of the holidays, ranging from the somber expression of religious value to the whimsical, with a jab at the commercial attitude in the middle!

Average customer rating:

Resonant, artful arrangements of seldom-heard Christmas carols
Good find...great music

The Moon of Wintertime

Manufacturer: Brimstone Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00007FPJQ
Release Date: 2002-10-23

Tracks:

The Moon Of Wintertime
Ideo Gloria
Gifts Of The Magi
Good King Wenceslas
Childgrove
Down In Yon Forest
Star Of The East
Farewell To Glasgow
Trotto
Bring Us In Good Ale

Album Description

The music of THE MOON OF WINTERTIME has traveled through eight centuries to reach you. Passed down from Italian peasants, French farmers, Scottish Immigrants, Appalachian singers and English pub-dwellers, this is music to warm your soul.

In The Moon of Wintertime, Lydia offers a fresh interpretation of some very old Christmas pieces, writes her own version of the Epiphany story, and makes her debut on the Appalachian Dulcimer. Full of mystery and merriment, this album can be enjoyed during the Christmas season and quite possibly throughout the year. Produced by Kurt Scherer and Lydia McCauley.

Customer Reviews:

Resonant, artful arrangements of seldom-heard Christmas carols.......2006-10-01

A lovely collection of traditional carols and dances from Western Europe--some haunting, some jaunty, and all richly orchestrated for voice, keyboard, dulcimer, viola, recorder, guitar, mandolin, double bass and world percussion. This album has the same depth, quality and wholesome honesty of McCauley's other work, and while it starts off on the gentle side, it picks up in intensity as it goes along. Although all the tracks are great, my favorites are towards the end, including the rowdy "Bring Us In Good Ale," the inventive, Mid-East-tinged "Star of the East," and Frank Jackson's folksy arrangement of the 14th century Italian dance "Trotto," which is full of fiery fiddle, thrumming guitar and hints of progressive folk. Throughout their recording career, McCauley and husband/co-producer Kurt Scherer have maintained a core group of truly talented musicians, whose camaraderie and sensitivity to each other's improvisations continues to shine through in each new endeavor. Phil Heaven (bowed strings) and Frank Jackson (recorders and whistles) have been with them since their 1998 debut album, "Sabbath Day's Journey," while guitarist Brian Cunningham and percussionist Jason Darling have been around for at least the past one or two. Joining the team on this album is Lynne Givler on double bass, adding a nice depth and grounding to the sound. Everybody seems to have a Christmas album these days, and "The Moon of Wintertime" is a great one, with a distinctive mood and flavor all it's own. Compare and contrast it with some other stylish favorites of mine, also highly recommended: "A Winter Garden" and "To Drive the Cold Winter Away" by Loreena McKennitt, "Celtic Christmas I & II" and "Joy! Joy! Joy!" by Kim Robertson, "Celtic Christmas III: A Windham Hill Sampler," One Wintry Night" by Jerry Read Smith and Lisa Maria Smith, "Sanctus" by the Angels of Venice, "Christmas" by Tino Izzo, "Poets and Angels" by Ottmar Liebert, "Wolcum Yule" by Anonymous 4, "An Angel's Noel" by the Ware-Patterson Duo, and "Christmas Morning" and "Silent Night" by Lisa Lynne.

Good find...great music.......2002-11-25

With all that's being put out these days,it's refreshing when you try something new an find a real gem. Here's a Christmas/ seaonal album that one can listen to throughout the year...

Average customer rating:

Truly joyous music

Home to Thanksgiving
Theatre Of Voices , His Majestie's Clerkes , and Andrew Lawrence-King
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 1999-10-19

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Timothy Swan: Rainbow: 'Tis By Thy Strength The Mountains Stand'
William Tans'ur: Colchester: 'O 'twas a joyful sound to hear'
Jeremiah Ingalls: The Apple Tree
Peter Abelard: 0 quanta qualia
Nehemiah Shumway: Schenectady: 'From All That Dwell Below The Skies'
William Billings: Thanksgiving Anthem: 'O Praise The Lord Of Heaven'
William Billings: Brigg Fair (Harp Solo), Traditional
Thomas Tallis: Audivi vocem
John Cage: The Year Begins to Be Ripe
Benedicamus Domino
William Billings: Jordan: 'There Is A Land Of Pure Delight'
Abram Wood: Worcester: 'How Beauteous Are Their Feet'
Thomas Tallis: Benedictus
Peter Abelard: Epithalamica
It was summer now
The Keel Row II (harp solo) Howard Skempton
Give good gifts one to another
William Billings: Chester: 'Let The Tyrants Shake Their Iron Rod'
Elisha West: Evening Hymn: 'The Day Is Past And Gone'

Amazon.com

An album celebrating harvest's end, Home to Thanksgiving is a harvest itself, selected from nearly a dozen Hillier CDs. The only thing that suffered as the result of Paul Hillier's separation from the Hilliard Ensemble was his albums' graphic design. By leaving Hilliard, the men's vocal group he'd helmed, Hillier abandoned the elegant packaging afforded him by ECM Records. On ECM, his penchant for plainchant was matched by stark photography, lending a steady visual horizon while his group darted maverickly between liturgical music and Arvo Pärt's minimalism.

Somehow at Harmonia Mundi, a new Hillier collection calls for a Currier and Ives painting. So be it. Hillier listeners understand that no marketing feat can fill the gaps that punctuate the 12th-century "O quanta qualia"; only a faith in his distinct musical agenda (or, perhaps, His) can bridge such pauses. There is communal cheer ("The Apple Tree," dating from the Revolution, has a catchy chorus), but it's tempered by introversion. Secular Puritan John Cage shows up, having set lyrics by Thoreau. That follows a 16th-century snippet of Thomas Tallis, and is followed itself by a 12th-century piece that attenuates 13 syllables of benediction for over four minutes. Currier and Ives may greet listeners at the cabin door, but Hillier waits inside with a sermon straight out of Jonathan Edwards. --Marc Weidenbaum

Customer Reviews:

Truly joyous music.......2005-10-27

This is a wonderful collection of music for thanksgiving - not just for the holiday, but for everyday. From the energetic opening, "Tis By Thy Strength The Mountains Stand", to the haunting "Evening Hymn" at close, this music is pure joy to listen to. The styles are quite varied and cover everything from plainchant to a somewhat modern take on Thoreau, and it is all very well performed. It is music that sends the soul soaring in thanksgiving to God.

Chords & Thyme English Folksongs for Guitar

Average customer rating:

En Evocative Musical Escape to England

Chords & Thyme English Folksongs for Guitar

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B000001QAI
Release Date: 1995-01-17

Tracks:

The Death Of Queen Jane
She Moved Through TheFair
I Wish
The Lass Of Patie's Mill
The Golden Vanity
Nottamun Town
The Water Is Wide
My Last Farewell To Stirling
The Cherry Tree Carol
Barbara Allen
The Drunken Sailor
Suo Gan
Simple Gifts
The Grey Cock
The House Carpenter - Edward Flower, Joel Brown
Wild Mountain Thyme

Customer Reviews:

En Evocative Musical Escape to England.......2006-04-13

I bought this CD on a whim, and it far exceeded my expectations. Edward Flower's arrangements of these folk songs (most for two guitars) are truly exquisite; each piece is a miniature artistic gem, capturing the soulful, plaintive, and often melancholy mood of these timeless tunes. This is a great CD to put on when you want to relax. Just sit back with a cup of tea, close your eyes, and let your mind drift off to the quiet meadows, shady woods, and green rolling hills of England!

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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American Songbook

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Anton Del Forno
2. O Little Town of Bethlehem
3. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
4. What Child Is this (Greensleeves)
5. O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)
6. Silent Night
7. O Come All Ye Faithful
8. Ave Maria
9. Deck The Halls
10. White Christmas
11. The First Noel
12. Joy to the World
13. O Holy Night
14. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
15. Auld Lang Syne