Our 1st Christmas

Editorial Reviews
Joe LaCina, Satellite Music Network - 200 stations
So great that I had to add it to the national rotation. Reception was overwhelming.

Mike Rapchak, WGN Radio
Excellent taste in selecting material. A winner.

Album Description
Jazzy, wonderful, new, up-beat Christmas hits in the making, and new life for a couple of old standard gems. An overflowing stocking full of tunes you'll want to hear every Christmas, with a group of musicians straight from Santa, topped by the fabulous Mike Renzi, accompanist-to-the-stars, who wrote the title song of the album. So great that I had to add it to the national rotation. Reception was overwhelming. Joe LaCina, Satellite Music Network - 200 stations

Our 1st Christmas

Tracks:

Music Of The Latin Rite: Ave Maria
Music Of The Latin Rite: Loquebantur variis linguis
Music Of The Latin Rite: Miserere mei
Haec dies
Music Of The Latin Rite: Ave verum corpus
Music Of The Reformation: If Ye Love Me
Music Of The Reformation: Hide Not Thou Thy Face
Music Of The Reformation: Lord, For Thy Tender Mercy's Sake
Music Of The Reformation: O Clap Your Hands
Music Of The Reformation: Bow Thine Ear
Music Of The Reformation: Hosanna To The Son Of David
Music Of The Restoration: Lord, How Long Wilt Thou Be Angry
Music Of The Restoration: Thou Knowest, Lord
Music Of The Restoration: Hear My Prayer, O Lord
The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century: Beati quorum via
The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century: This Joyful Eastertide
The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century: Sing Lullaby
The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century: A Spotless Rose
The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century: What Cheer?
The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century: O Taste And See
The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century: A Hymn To The Virgin
The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century: Jesus Christ The Apple Tree
The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century: Faire Is The Heaven
Anthems And Introits: Rejoice In The Lord
Anthems And Introits: Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences
Anthems And Introits: Come, Let's Rejoice
Anthems And Introits: When David Heard
Anthems And Introits: I Sat Down Under His Shadow
Anthems And Introits: These Are They That Follow The Lamb
Latin Motets: Christe Jesu, pastor bone
Latin Motets: O beatum et sacrosanctum diem
Latin Motets: Nunc dimittis
Latin Motets: O vos omnes
Latin Motets: Factum est silentium
Latin Motets: Justorum animae
Settings Of Hymns And Other Poetry: Hail, Gladdening Light
Settings Of Hymns And Other Poetry: A Hymn To The Mother Of God
Settings Of Hymns And Other Poetry: Hymn For The Dormition Of The Mother Of God
Settings Of Hymns And Other Poetry: They Are At Rest
Settings Of Hymns And Other Poetry: A Litany
Settings Of Hymns And Other Poetry: Nolo mortem peccatoris
Settings Of Hymns And Other Poetry: O nata lux
Settings Of Hymns And Other Poetry: Loving Shepherd Of Thy Sheep
Prayer Settings: The Lord's Prayer
Prayer Settings: In manus tuas
Prayer Settings: Bring Us, O Lord God

Customer Reviews:

My favorite album. English church music at its finest........2005-10-06

Whether you have a couple dozen albums of English choral music or whether you're looking for an introduction to English choral music, this two CD collection is a must. Here you will find a wide selection of sacred favorites, from Gregorian chant to Ralph Vaughan Williams. It's a misnomer to call it "Anglican," since this would exclude (in addition to, of course, the pre-Reformation Latin hymns) the likes of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd -- both Catholics that kept to the ancient faith despite Elizabeth's (albeit relatively mild) persecutions. Tallis and Byrd set the standard in the 16th century for the distinctive "Englishness" (as opposed to Continental European) style of English choral music, with its soaring majesty yet somehow coupled with a subtle and sustained beauty (as opposed to the Continental ups and downs and often tiresome exaggerations). For those of us in the English-speaking world, this is our heritage. Let's treasure it. As for the recording itself, the mixing is superb. While listening, it's quite easy to imagine yourself in the beautiful King's College Chapel or perhaps heaven itself.

The grand tradition of English music.......2005-09-23

Recorded in the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral, the Cambridge Singers under the direction of John Rutter produced a duo of discs dedicated to Music of the English Church previously issued as two separate discs, 'Hail, Gladdening Light', and its companion piece, 'Faire is the Heaven'. The discs here are straight copies of those discs; hence, if you have those already, there is no need to purchase this - on the other hand, if you do not have the other discs, this is a bargain.

--Music--
This is all unaccompanied music, sung in a cathedral chapel acoustically suited for such music. The first disc has four primary sections: Music of the Latin Rite; Music of the Reformation; Music of the Restoration; and Anglican Revival and the twentieth century. The most famous composers in English music history -- Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons -- combine with later masters such as Purcell, Stanford, Howells, Walton, Britten and Vaughan Williams to form a truly masterful collection. These are anthems, hymns and other liturgical pieces that have remained important in Anglican worship, and can be often heard in situ on Sundays around the world. However, the Cambridge Singers bring their special music talent to the task, producing a good standard bearer for music of the English Church.

On the second disc, there are six Latin motets, set by composers such as Taverner, Howells, Stanford, Vaughan Williams, Philips and Dering. Anthens and Introits include notables Tomkins and Purcell, and lesser-known composers such as Amner, Bairstow and Goss. Hymns span the range from old to modern, including a hymn by John Rutter himself. The disc ends with three prayer settings, including one by the underappreciated John Sheppard, and another from William Harris, whose hymn serves as the title to the companion disc. These anthems and hymns show a powerful range of music, yet show a consistent tone also that makes it rather distinctive of the music of the English church.

The group's power and grace is second to none, particularly when singing this kind of music in a place such as Ely Cathedral, arguably the most natural of settings possible.

--Liner Notes--
The notes for this recording include the titles and words of each anthem or hymn. The notes for each piece also includes brief biographical information of the composer, and unique information about each work, when particular composers are represented more than once. One thing conspicuously missing is much biographical information about John Rutter, or any descriptive information about the Cambridge Singers apart from the most basic of information.

--John Rutter--
Rutter was born in London and educated at Clare College, Cambridge. This was where his career as a composer, arranger and conductor began. His early work was with groups at King's College Chapel at Cambridge as well as the Bath Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. He has worked for the BBC providing music for educational series such as 'The Archaeology of the Bible Lands', until in 1979 he began forming the Cambridge Singers, and has continued a remarkable career of performance and recording as their director ever since.

--The Cambridge Singers--
The Cambridge Singers are a mixed choir of voices, many of whom were members of choir of Rutter's college, Clare College, Cambridge. While they specialise in English and Latin liturgical pieces, they have a wide range of recordings that span from modern compositions (including a remarkable requiem by Rutter) to English folk songs of the Middle Ages. Many are former members of the choir of Clare College and other Cambridge collegiate choirs (hence the name, Cambridge Singers). In the quarter-century since the founding, the Cambridge Singers have produced an impressive body of recordings.

music of great beauty.......2005-04-24

Pop one of these CDs into your car stero, turn up the volume and feel yourself drift into a sublime peace. Can music manifest the existence of God?

Excellent Selection, Excellent Performance.......2004-07-28

This two-CD compilation by the Cambridge Singers is truly very good. The repertoire is very diverse and only the best representations of composers and time periods are performed. ALthough most of the pieces were not written with a mixed choir in mind, the Cambridge Singers sing it so well you would not have had any idea. Their performances are careful and exquisite.

Best all-in-one English music CD ever.......2004-04-20

This is a re-release, as one set, of two of my favorite CDs ever: "Faire is the Heaven" and "Hail Gladdening Light" by the Cambridge singers. This is a fabulous compilation of everyone's favorite works from the English Cathedral tradition, all the way from Taverner (16th century) to Tavener (21st century). The selection of works is great and touches all the most important genres. The performance is exquisite, elegant, faultless. The Cambridge Singers have a softer, less edgy sound than the Tallis Scholars, and are more expressive, which may make them easier for some people to listen to, especially for the more recent works. They are no less musical. The Parsons Ave Maria alone brings one to tears. If you want an introduction to English church music, this is the CD to start with. Also makes a great gift, if you already love this music and want to introduce someone else to it.

Average customer rating:

Marilyn Horne: The Men in My Life

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Thomas Tallis: The Complete Works (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Go To Amazon.com/uk
Wonderful Set, but why pay this much?

Thomas Tallis: The Complete Works (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Signum UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Release Date: 2005-01-25

Customer Reviews:

Go To Amazon.com/uk.......2006-02-23

Thank you Paul Schleuse. Your review is right on, and most importantly, I paid $113. (including shipping) from amazon.com/uk to Boston. Less than halk the price here.

Wonderful Set, but why pay this much?.......2005-07-30

This is a landmark set: the complete works of one of the most important composers of the 16th century, in performances of grace and clarity. However, you can get it for less than half of the US price by buying it at Amazon.co.uk. At GBP65.20, it works out to just over $100, or about $10 per disc--quite a bargain on a major addition to any serious early-music collection.

Average customer rating:

Our 1st Christmas
Cynthia Crane , and Mike Renzi
Manufacturer: Original Cast
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004RD52
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Noel Blanc

Album Description

Jazzy, wonderful, new, up-beat Christmas hits in the making, and new life for a couple of old standard gems. An overflowing stocking full of tunes you'll want to hear every Christmas, with a group of musicians straight from Santa, topped by the fabulous Mike Renzi, accompanist-to-the-stars, who wrote the title song of the album. So great that I had to add it to the national rotation. Reception was overwhelming. Joe LaCina, Satellite Music Network - 200 stations