Notes and Editorial Reviews
Featuring an all-star lineup on 15 lavishly produced tracks, Deutsche Grammophon's We Wish You a Merry Christmas is a big-hearted tribute to the holiday season that is sure to please many fans of vocal music. With a program that ranges from Renaissance motets to modern songs and carols, and with a roster that includes the world's most famous opera singers, choirs, early music ensembles, and symphony orchestras, this album has as much variety as can be squeezed into 54 minutes. Of course, it takes a listener of wide tastes to appreciate everything, since the styles include the grand antiphonal choral music of Michael Praetorius, Baroque string writing in the Christmas Concerto by Giuseppe Torelli, the Romantic lyricism of the Bach/Gounod
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"Ave Maria," and the modern pop standard in Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," with many other musical flavors and fashions in between. The performances are even more varied -- including the golden voices of Anne Sofie von Otter, Roberto Alagna, José Carreras, Bryn Terfel, Luciano Pavarotti, and Plácido Domingo -- and the instrumental warmth of violinist/conductor André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, the rich tone of the Berlin Philharmonic under Herbert von Karajan, and the glorious sounds of the Gabrieli Consort and Players under Paul McCreesh are just a few of the artists presented on this 2007 extravaganza. No doubt some will find fault with the volume levels, which seem quite loud and boosted on most of the tracks and which may make home listening a little uncomfortable. But for those who plan their Christmas parties in a big way, this spectacular CD may be the perfect accompaniment.
-- Blair Sanderson, AllMusic.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Gentil Pere Noël by Roberto Alagna
Performer:
Roberto Alagna (Tenor)
Period: 20th Century
2.
In dulci jubilo by Michael Praetorius
Conductor:
Paul McCreesh
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Gabrieli Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1619; Germany
3.
Holiday Inn: White Christmas by Irving Berlin
Performer:
Bryn Terfel (Bass Baritone)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1942; USA
Language: English
4.
Silent Night by Franz Xaver Gruber
Performer:
André Rieu (Violin)
Conductor:
André Rieu
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Johann Strauss Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: 1818; Austria
5.
Adeste fideles "O come, all ye faithful" by John Francis Wade
Performer:
Luciano Pavarotti (Tenor)
Conductor:
Kurt Adler
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Philharmonic Orchestra,
London Voices
Period: Classical
Written: by 1782; England
6.
Nu ar advent by Gustaf Nordqvist
Performer:
Anne Sofie von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
7.
Concerti Grossi (12), Op. 8: no 6 in G minor "Christmas Concerto" - 1st movement, Grave - Vivace by Giuseppe Torelli
Conductor:
Herbert von Karajan
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: circa 1709; Italy
8.
Misa Criolla: Sanctus by Ariel Ramirez
Performer:
José Carreras (Tenor)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1964; Argentina
9.
Ave Maria by Charles Gounod
Performer:
Placido Domingo (Tenor)
Conductor:
Marcello Viotti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Verdi Grand Symphonic Orchestra Milan
Period: Romantic
Written: 1859; France
10.
Musae Sioniae: Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen by Michael Praetorius
Conductor:
Georg Ratzinger
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Regensburg Cathedral Choir
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1609; Germany
11.
Mary's boy child by Jester Hairston
Performer:
Bryn Terfel (Bass Baritone),
Malcolm Martineau (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
12.
Ancient Airs and Dances, Set 3: Siciliana by Ottorino Respighi
Conductor:
Herbert von Karajan
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1931; Rome, Italy
13.
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: no 1, Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
John Eliot Gardiner
Orchestra/Ensemble:
English Baroque Soloists,
Monteverdi Choir
Period: Baroque
Written: 1734-1735; Leipzig, Germany
14.
Ding Dong! Merrily on high by Traditional
Conductor:
Simon Preston
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Westminster Abbey Choir
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; France
15.
Jingle Bells by James Pierpont
Performer:
Roberto Alagna (Tenor)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1857; USA
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