Many Moods of Christmas

Track Listings

1. Good Christian Men Rejoice

2. Silent Night

3. Patapan

4. O Come, All Ye Faithful

5. O Sanctissima

6. Joy To The World

7. Away In A Manger

8. Fum Fum Fum

9. March Of The Kings

10. What Child Is This?

11. Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing

12. Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella

13. Angels We Have Heard On High

14. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light

15. Heav'nly Light

16. The First Noel

17. O Little Town of Bethlehem

18. I Saw Three Ships

19. Deck the Halls

Tracks:

Good Christian Men Rejoice
Silent Night
Patapan
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Sanctissima
Joy to the World
Away in the Manger
Fum Fum Fum: March of the Kings
What Child is This
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Angels We Have Heard on High
Break Forth, O Beateous, Heavenly Light
The First Nowell
O Little Town of Bethlehem
I Saw Three Ships
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic, thrilling music!.......2007-01-03

We've listened to this Robert Shaw collection every season since it came out in the 60s. I heard part of it played on PBS this season, so it's in high demand. What Shaw did with these carols is incredible.

A CHRISTMAS FAVORITE.......2005-05-19

Personally, this is an all-time favorite Christmas collection with only a single reservation as to the recording. There are currently two versions available - the earlier one, performed by the NBC Symphony (circa 1963), and the later effort (1990) by The Atlanta Symphony, Robert Shaw's "home" orchestra for a number of years.

The Atlanta Symphony rendering would probably be considered by many to be the more "realistic." It depends, in the end, on personal taste. For me, however, the recording I "grew up with" is the original NBC recording.

On the RCA disc, both the orchestra and (smaller) chorus are more "up front" and immediate, more sharply focused, and the singers - probably hand selected by Shaw - seem crisp and alive, more involved. This, I would guess, has as much to do with the prevailing recording philosophy of the time as it does anything else.

The Atlanta performance, on the other hand, while certainly less suseptable to the manipulated balances of the 60's, seems, as a result, a bit "removed," closer to the more spacious effect of an actual concert hall environment, at least to me. But, again, my preference for the original is based strictly on personal taste. Yet, whichever experience you prefer, this is a marvelous collection featuring the stunning arrangements of Robert Russell Bennett. If you like medleys of contrast and brilliant embellishments, either recording is a must-have.

Chorus: 5; Orchestra: 4; Recording: 5.......2002-10-23

I purchased this CD in November 1985 at a mall in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. My wife and I were on our honeymoon (she's Canadian) heading to Halifax. So we stopped at this mall in Moncton and started browsing over CD's. Lo and behold I saw this CD of Robert Shaw and the ASO and Chorus. It was the remake of the old reliable 1963 RCA LP with Shaw and the Robert Shaw Chorale with the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra which I have played a million times not counting my home-made taped version. That still applies to this day. As far as the ASO CD version is concerned, it's a winner in some ways but the LP wins PERIOD! What's wrong with the CD? The orchestra. At the beginning of the first track in "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" as the opening bars start rolling out, everything seems right-on--that is, until the trumpet fanfares enter in several bars later. They seem somewhat "sour" or "flat" compared to the old LP version with the RCA SO. Telarc should have done a retake. However, as far as the rest of the music is concerned, the orchestra performed extremely well. The ASO Chorus is first-rate all the way through and so is the Robert Shaw Choral on the LP. But a chorale is no match for a 200-voice chorus!! The bottom line is this: The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra of 1983 is NO MATCH to the ASO of 2002--not by a long shot! I have kept up with this orchestra since the 60's and watched it progress with Shaw, Levi, and now with Spano and Runnicles. Shaw, however, was born with choral singing in his blood. No question, he was the best! That's the reason every time you heard the ASO chorus it was something of magical beauty because of Shaw. Today, every time you hear a first-rate sound/or performance by the ASO, it's mostly because of Levi. So, my plan is to purchase the CD version of the old RCA LP because of it's orchestral superiority and if the sound on the CD is anything like the sound on the LP, that's a plus too!! Oh yes, I forgot, the Telarc CD I purchased in Canada was made in West Germany while other Telarc discs bought at that time was made in Japan. I guess it matters where you buy it!!!
Merry Christmas!!!!

Review of Many Moods of Christmas.......2001-02-07

I bought Many Moods on LP when it was originally released at Christmas 63 and later got the CD version at Christmas 83. (I like the LP version better.) To me, all other recordings of all other Christmas music seriously pale in comparison to this one. I LOVE IT!!! "Many Moods" is an exact title for what's there. My favorite in the collection is the arrangement of "Adeste Fideles." At the end of that song, the orchestra has to "catch up with" the sopranos! Precision in attacks, releases, consonants, vowels, rhythms, . . . all are there in glorious abundance. When I want Christmas music and to be in the "Christmas Spirit," I listen to this for hours on end. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Shaw has given us the essence of Christmas and Easter in this recording. If you have enough money to buy only 1 Christmas recording FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, make it THIS ONE!!! You won't regret it.!!!

One of my faves--highly recommend!.......2000-12-18

We listened to this in my family when I was growing up. It's all medleys, so it moves through quite a few Christmas songs. It can be sublime and quiet--love the O Sanctissima--but it doesn't stay that way for long. It can be crashing and rousing, too--as in I Saw Three Ships. You could say it is a bipolar CD! But it's good! Lovely orchestration and large chorus singing. The instrumental segues, fantasies, and descants are unusual and charming. I have other more strictly classical, jazz, and pop Christmas CD's, and I would say that this is an interesting "classical-pops" medley-fantasia that is unlike anything else. It has a timeless appeal and should be an annual best-seller. This is great music to play while wrapping presents, baking, and decorating the tree--it tugs at your heart-strings. Another reviewer said it is grandiose, and it is, but it is also grand. (Play something mellower for background music at the dinner table, though.)

The Many Moods of Christmas (1963 RCA Victor Version) Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Phenomenal Classic Christmas Collection
Audiophiles Beware
A Christmas Classic
Worse than a bad recording
From it's first days of 1963, its still one of Shaw's best!

The Many Moods of Christmas (1963 RCA Victor Version) Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra
Robert Shaw Chorale , and Robert Shaw
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale
Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High
Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra
Now Is the Caroling Season

ASIN: B000003G9R
Release Date: 1997-06-17

Tracks:

Good Christian Men Rejoice
Silent Night
Patapan
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Sanctissima
Joy to the World
Away in the Manger
Fum Fum Fum - March of the Kings
What Child is This
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Angels We Have Heard on High
Break Forth, O Beateous, Heavenly Light
The First Nowell
O Little Town of Bethlehem
I Saw Three Ships
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly

Customer Reviews:

Phenomenal Classic Christmas Collection.......2007-05-21

The Robert Shaw Chorale for me is the most enjoyable "classic" Christmas music available. I recommend it highly.

Audiophiles Beware.......2007-01-02

I really like the performance here. It beats the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra redo on Telarc hands-down, but the sound quality is disappointing, to say the least. Being RCA, I figured it would sound as good as their 90's Living Stereo releases, although I didn't expect it to be as great as the new hybrid series (those are incredible). The original tapes must be lost, or damaged beyond repair, and this was the best that could be offered of this historic recording. If you're not picky about sound, don't pay this review any mind - you'll like it just fine.

A Christmas Classic.......2005-10-15

Most that are familiar with this album rank it amongst the best Christmas recordings of all time. That said I strongly suggest purchasing Robert Shaw's "A Festival of Carols" instead. Why? Because it contains ever track on this album + 11 others, including the best version of Carol of the Bells ever recorded, for about the same price.

Worse than a bad recording.......2004-10-24

Pros: They sing well.

Cons: None of the carols are complete. They draw you in with a little teaser, tack on a big finale, then dash on to the next just as you start responding.

Worse, the tracks bleed into one another, so randomizing playback sounds just awful.

I'd love to have a recording of unabridged Christmas carols with this caliber of musicality, but can't recommend this cd.

From it's first days of 1963, its still one of Shaw's best!.......2003-12-19

While in seminary, in the 1950's Shaw Chorale was in midst of tours and recording of those great Deep River Spirituals! Then suddenly in 1963 they introduced, "The Many Moods of Christmas." All 'good church musicians' placed them in their FBC, First Meth Church, First Pres, etc. Two GA churchmen got his "permission" to use copies of instrumental groups of Brass and Woodwinds. We kept them in our church libraries for all these years.

My favorite groups of Sir Robert and Robert Russell Bennett whom Shaw greatly admired has to be, No III and No IV: "What Child is This?" "Bring A Torch; Angels We Have Heard On High; Break Forth, O Beauteous Light; I Saw Three Ships!" Those in his ASO Chorus had the fun of doing bits of those, and some parts of all four! No other chorus likely had the luxury of Sir Robert's clearly perfected choral approach.

Not ever again can we hear his husky-voiced words giving us his deeply placed whispering but clearly inspired magical direction ..."This is the way we want to sound." Like his early Robert Shaw Chorale! It's super-clear to read in this CD's 1998 interview with the choral genius & Lucy Cross: the facts of his original, "Many Moods, and (uh-mm-uh) maybe our very BEST!
Retired Singer-Chaplain Fred W Hood

Average customer rating:

'Many Moods' is the best Christmas music there is!
A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS ALBUM
An All Time Classic Christmas Recording

The Many Moods Of Christmas

Manufacturer: Musical Heritage Society
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00061UHEC

Product Description

17 tracks of Christmas music are Good Christian Men Rejoice, Silent Night, Patapan, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Sanctissima, Joy To The World, Away In A Manger, Fum Fum Fum: March Of The Kings, What Child Is This, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella, Angels We Have Heard On High, Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light, The First Nowell, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, I Saw Three Ships, and Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly.

Customer Reviews:

'Many Moods' is the best Christmas music there is!.......2006-11-29

Admittedly, I am a little biased when it comes to reviewing "Many Moods of Christmas." This is music I grew up with: My grandfather, a high school band director for many years, made our family a reel-to-reel tape recording of this 1963 release, and it has become a holiday tradition in our family to listen to it each year. Now that I am grown and married, my husband and I also listen to this (on CD). I was very pleased to find it was still available to purchase.
To those who haven't yet heard "Many Moods," let me just say there is nothing like it. This is big, orchestral, grand, sweeping Christmas music. It features traditional Christmas songs, but also some rather unusual selections, or at least selections that aren't as often heard during the holiday season. These pieces are arranged as one big medley, with each song flowing from one to the next.
"Many Moods" exists in at least one other version (from 1983), but I prefer this one. I suppose it is just that it is what I grew up listening to. Another reviewer mentioned this recording features a large chorus, while the 1983 version features a smaller chorale, hence making this version more "grand"-sounding. At any rate, Christmas would not be Christmas for me without this recording. Get it now while you can!! You will find years of joy (I'm already on my 29th Christmas with this album!).

A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS ALBUM.......2005-12-23

I'm assuming that the Atlanta Symphony version of this recording has been withdrawn, but this EARLIER one, with the NBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus is a splendidly arranged (by Robert Russell Bennett), beautifully performed, excitingly recorded effort. In the style of recordings of the period, the chorus is more immediate and forward, but, for this type of album, it proves to be an advantage. Shaw is a master, and the renditions are full of beauty and energy. Thoroughly enjoyable.

An All Time Classic Christmas Recording.......2005-11-30

My guess is that many people who have purchased the compact disc version THE MANY MOODS OF CHRISTMAS with The Robert Shaw Chorale and the RCA Victor Symphony for nostalgic reasons. It was a best selling LP in its day and many homes had this set. It's only natural that people would want a CD version of this classic set. Even people who do not own the disc probably are familiar with many of the arrangements or will be upon hearing the disc.

The reason this disc is now a classic is simple. The only star of this recording would be the carols. They are arranged in four suites and most of the renditions are somewhat basic, with perhaps the arrangement of "Bring a Torch Janette Isabella" and "Angels We Have Heard On High" in Suite 3, which may be the most creative pieces on the disc. The brass section of the orchestra is particularly powerful which listeners first notice at the beginning of the disc. The strings are lush and the Chorale itself, under the direction of founder Robert Shaw is at its best.

My parents owned this recording as an LP. I later purchased it as a cassette and finally a CD. Since it was first released in 1963 and I was born a year earlier, I've probably heard it every year of my life and certainly every year I remember. I've found that while the recording is familiar, it never becomes routine. It's just done so well I always hear something new. If you remember loving this recording as an LP, you owe it to yourself to get the CD. If you're not familiar with it, but it and you'll find a recording you'll treasure for years to come.

Average customer rating:

Many Moods of Christmas

Manufacturer: Linn Kezer and Jessic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAF17U
Release Date: 2004-01-01

Average customer rating:

Many Moods of Christmas
Robert Russell Bennett (arranger) , and United States Army Air Force Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Altissimo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical Instrumental | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Classical Instrumental | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B00000FXIF
Release Date: 1995-09-05

Tracks:

Good Christian Men Rejoice
Silent Night
Patapan
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Sanctissima
Joy To The World
Away In A Manger
Fum Fum Fum
March Of The Kings
What Child Is This?
Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing
Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella
Angels We Have Heard On High
Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
Heav'nly Light
The First Noel
O Little Town of Bethlehem
I Saw Three Ships
Deck the Halls

Average customer rating:

Proclaim His Birth

Manufacturer: Soundforth
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0002VXBAI

Product Description

This choral and orchestral recording will put your family in the true spirit of Christmas with classic favorites as well as new compositions. Music by Gustafson, Pinkston, Rutter, and Shaw. Playlist: 1. The Many Moods of Christmas 2. What Is This Fragrance? 3. Infant Holy-Infant Lowly 4. Fantasia On Gloria 5. Candlelight Carol 6. Ding Dong? Merrily On High 7. Carol Of The Bells 8. Carol Of The Drums 9. Go- Tell It On The Mountain 10. Christmas Pastorale 11. I Wonder As I Wander 12. Joy To The World 13. The First Noel

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1. Good Christian Men Rejoice
2. Silent Night
3. Patapan
4. O Come, All Ye Faithful
5. O Sanctissima
6. Joy To The World
7. Away In A Manger
8. Fum Fum Fum
9. March Of The Kings
10. What Child Is This?
11. Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing
12. Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella
13. Angels We Have Heard On High
14. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
15. Heav'nly Light
16. The First Noel
17. O Little Town of Bethlehem
18. I Saw Three Ships
19. Deck the Halls