"There was a time, perhaps not too long ago, when the holiday season didn't seem quite so loud... Back then, or so we imagine, the holidays were as soothing and calm as a winter landscape after a snowfall... On this recording, harpist Ayako Shinozaki (with occasional help from Kazuko Shinozaki, also on harp) takes us back to the holiday season we wish we could remember, a time of almost contemplative intimacy. The songs and carols presented here, all arranged by Hiroshi Aoshima, run the gamut from the ancient to the modern... elegantly arranged and elegantly performed on the instrument of the angels." -- Jackson Braider"There was a time, perhaps not too long ago, when the holiday season didn't seem quite so loud... Back then, or so we imagine, the holidays were as soothing and calm as a winter landscape after a snowfall... On this recording, harpist Ayako Shinozaki (with occasional help from Kazuko Shinozaki, also on harp) takes us back to the holiday season we wish we could remember, a time of almost contemplative intimacy. The songs and carols presented here, all arranged by Hiroshi Aoshima, run the gamut from the ancient to the modern... elegantly arranged and elegantly performed on the instrument of the angels." -- Jackson Braider Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Joy to the Worldby Lowell Mason Performer:
Kazuko Shinozaki (Harp),
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: Romantic Written: 19th Century; USA Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Arranged: Hiroshi Aoshima
2.
O Tannenbaumby Traditional Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Written: Westphalia, Germany Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Transcribed: Hiroshi Aoshima
3.
Santa Claus is comin' to townby John Frederic Coots Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp),
Kazuko Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: 20th Century Written: 1934; USA Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: This selection was written in collaboration with Dizzy Gillespie. It is included in a medley which also features the carol "Here comes Santa Claus". Arranged: Hiroshi Aoschima
Fum, fum, fumby Traditional Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Written: Mexico Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Transcribed: Hiroshi Aoshima
6.
O come, O come Emmanuelby Traditional Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: Renaissance Written: 15th Century; France Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Transcribed: Hiroshi Aoshima
7.
Ellens Gesang III, D 839/Op. 52 no 6 "Ave Maria"by Franz Schubert Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: Romantic Written: 1825; Vienna, Austria Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Transcribed: Hiroshi Aoshima
8.
It came upon the midnight clearby Richard Storrs Willis Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: Romantic Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Transcribed: Hiroshi Aoshima
9.
Angels we have heard on highby Traditional Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Written: France Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Transcribed: Hiroshi Aoshima
10.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeerby Johnny Marks Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: 20th Century Written: 1949; USA Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Transcribed: Hiroshi Aoshima
11.
The Adventby Hiroshi Aoshima Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: 20th Century Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan
Minuit, Chrétiens "O holy night"by Adolphe Adam Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: Romantic Written: France Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Arranged: Hiroshi Aoshima
Silent Nightby Franz Xaver Gruber Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: Classical Written: 1818; Austria Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Transcribed: Hiroshi Aoshima
16.
Holiday Inn: White Christmasby Irving Berlin Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: 20th Century Written: 1942; USA Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Transcribed: Hiroshi Aoshima
17.
Here Comes Santa Clausby Gene Autry Performer:
Ayako Shinozaki (Harp),
Kazuko Shinozaki (Harp)
Period: 20th Century Written: 1947; USA Date of Recording: 05/1993 Venue: Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan Notes: Arranged: Hiroshi Aoshima This selection was written in collaboration with Oakley Haldeman. This selection is included in a medley with "Santa Claus is comin' to town".
Featured Sound Samples
Joy to the World (Mason)
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: ( 6 Customer Reviews )
Wonderful!December 25, 2014By D. Collins (Saline, MI)See All My Reviews"This is a wonderful holiday CD. I have been playing it all season! It is especially nice in the evening and is very calming. Highly recommend!"Report Abuse
Completely CharmingDecember 19, 2014By bess holloway (Boulder, CO)See All My Reviews"I wish this had been around when I was a child. How lovely it would have been to hear it on Christmas Eve just before bedtime. It's the perfect gift for a reflection of the holiday's true meaning."Report Abuse
Christmas HarpJanuary 10, 2014By Edwin C. (Santa Barbara, CA)See All My Reviews"Just as the title says, "Beautiful Christmas Melodies." Sensitive arrangements played beautifully."Report Abuse