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Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain / Sorrell, Apollo's Fire


Release Date: 10/19/2018 
Label:  Avie   Catalog #: 2396  
Composer:  Traditional
Performer:  Amanda Powell,  Ross Hauck,  Susanna Perry Gilmore,  Brian Kay,   ... 
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire,  Apollo's Musettes
Number of Discs: 1 
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Notes and Editorial Reviews

Following the release of the award-winning Sugarloaf Mountain: An Appalachian Gathering, which was a Top 5 Billboard Classical Crossover hit, Jeannette Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire present Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain. In this celebration of the American immigrant experience, fiddlers, medieval harp, hammered dulcimer, bagpipes and singers join with children’s voices to evoke the Celtic roots of an Appalachian Christmas. From Christmas Eve in medieval Scotland to folk carols and shape-note hymns at a toe-tapping Christmas gathering in Virginia, Apollo’s Fire follows the journeys of the Irish and Scottish settlers who bravely crossed the Atlantic, settled in the mountains and welcomed Christmas with love, singing, dancing and prayer. Acclaim Read more for the premiere performances of this programme was widespread: “The lightning strike of genius can happen, sometimes even repeatedly to those willing to earn it. Jeannette Sorrell is one such person. This show was intense, interesting, spectacularly performed, and deeply moving. If that’s not genius, I don’t know what is.” (Seen & Heard International)

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REVIEWS:

Apollo’s Fire is a celebrated baroque orchestra, but their ventures into folk music are just as celebrated. This is music of and by amateurs, here arranged and performed with professional skill, but without sacrificing its vibrant folk quality to the glitz of showbiz. This recording is a must have for anyone susceptible to the allure of this tradition.

– American Record Guide

There are other ways to reveal fresh musical truths in the context of Christmas, and the determination of another early music group to do so has produced my vote for festive disc of the year. Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain from Apollo’s Fire charts the passage of Scottish and Irish immigrants to the Appalachian Mountains in the 1830s. The Baroque music group gives us sounds we don’t often associate with Bethlehem but are probably far closer to what was heard there: zingy harps, reedy winds and plenteous modality.

– Gramophone Read less

Works on This Recording

1.
Christmas Eve Reel - Christmas Eve in America - Old Christmas Eve by Traditional
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
2.
The Truth sent from Above by Traditional
Performer:  Amanda Powell (Soprano), Ross Hauck (Tenor)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
Written: England 
3.
Sheep Under the Snow - Apples in Winter - Little Christmas Reel by Traditional
Performer:  Susanna Perry Gilmore (Fiddle)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
4.
Blow, Northern Wind by Traditional
Performer:  Brian Kay (Lute)
5.
Don Oiche Ud i mBeithil by Traditional
Performer:  Brian Bigley (Uilleann Pipes)
Written: Ireland 
6.
That Night in Bethlehem by Traditional
Performer:  Jeffrey Strauss (Baritone)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire,  Apollo's Musettes
7.
Nowell sing we by Traditional
Performer:  Ross Hauck (Tenor), Amanda Powell (Soprano), Molly Netter (Voice),
Jeffrey Strauss (Baritone)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
Written: 15th Cent 
8.
Innesheer - Ships in Full Sail and I Saw Three Ships - New Christmas Reel by Traditional
Performer:  Kathie Stewart (Flute)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire,  Apollo's Musettes
9.
Yorkshire Carol - Somerset Wassail - Kentucky Wassail by Traditional
Performer:  Jeffrey Strauss (Baritone), Michael Temesi (Treble)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire,  Apollo's Musettes
10.
Bright Morning Stars by Traditional
Performer:  Ross Hauck (Tenor), Amanda Powell (Soprano), Tina Bergmann (Voice)
Written: USA 
11.
Christ Child's Lullaby by Traditional
Performer:  Amanda Powell (Soprano)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
12.
Frost and Snow - 28th of January - Dominion Reel by Traditional
Performer:  Tina Bergmann (Dulcimer)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
13.
Jesus Born in Beth'ny by Traditional
Performer:  Michael Temesi (Treble)
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Musettes
14.
Star in the East - Shepherd's Star by Traditional
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
15.
I wonder as I wander by Traditional
Performer:  Amanda Powell (Soprano), Ross Hauck (Tenor)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
16.
Over the Isles to America by Traditional
Performer:  Jeannette Sorrell (Harpsichord)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
17.
Hop High Ladies by Traditional
Performer:  Ian Crane (Bagpipe), Brian Bigley (Percussion)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
18.
Old Christmas/Breakin' Up Christmas by Traditional
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
19.
The Parting Glass by Traditional
Performer:  Amanda Powell (Soprano), Ross Hauck (Tenor)
Conductor:  Jeannette Sorrell
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Apollo's Fire
Written: Ireland 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 3 Customer Reviews )
 Utterly Delightful December 26, 2018 By Mark S. (Fort Mill, SC) See All My Reviews "This is an utterly delightful addition to our Christmas music collection. I highly recommend it. It is serious music making but fun, cheerful, energetic and unexpected from a HIP baroque band. Appalachian folk music is in Jeanette Sorrell's blood and it produces an authentic performance that will delight your ears." Report Abuse
 Beautifully performed and lots of fun December 8, 2018 By j. Pharris (Olympia, WA) See All My Reviews "This recording "merges" Appalachian mountain music with Celtic tunes connected more directly to Ireland. I doubt that this particular combination of pieces would be heard in Appalachia, but it would be wonderful if it happened. The usual enthusiastic and virtuosic performance, led by the highly gifted Jeannette Sorrell." Report Abuse
 Authentic and enthusiastic November 14, 2018 By Ralph Graves (Hood, VA) See All My Reviews "In 2015 Apollo's Fire released "Sugarloaf Mountain: An Appalachian Gathering." This Classical Crossover chart-topper celebrated the connection between Scotch-Irish mountain music and early Celtic and British music. "Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain" revisits the premise with a fresh batch of tunes. Rest assured these are no delicate forays into folk music by classical practitioners. Director Jeannette Sorrell grew up in Appalachia, and she knows how this music should sound. Apollo's Fire performed with a rough-hewn enthusiasm that's infectious (especially on the tracks where you can hear them flat footing). At the same time, there's a coherent, well-documented program behind it all. The album starts with traditional music of Ireland, and gradually progresses through immigrant songs to Appalachian mainstays. And understand, this is not bluegrass music. Mountain music sticks to the traditional instruments of Ireland, as does Apollo's Fire. You won't hear banjos and guitars. But you will hear fiddles, wooden flutes, hammered dulcimers, and Scottish small pipes. The ballads, such as "Joseph and Mary" and "Christ Child's Lullaby" are beautifully arranged. Soprano Amanda Powell finely balances between traditional Irish balladry and the nasal, high lonesome sound of Appalachian singing. This one's going on my short list of favorite holiday albums." Report Abuse
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