Notes and Editorial Reviews
This program is also available from Sony on minidisc (SM 60396) and DVD (SVD 60759).
The arrangements are by Christian Kolonovits and Johnny Bertl except where noted.
From its jubilant beginning with "Christmas Prologue" (Christian Kolonovits' melange of familiar Christmas tunes), to its fitting conclusion with all four soloists joined in "Silent Night," A GALA CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA provides the expected blockbuster holiday cheer. This concert is the fifth in the "Christmas in Vienna" series featuring Placido Domingo with assorted stars of classical and popular music.
Sarah Brightman--riding the success of her crossover album TIME TO SAY GOODBYE and its collaboration with Andrea Bocelli--contributes primarily to the pop-flavored
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selections, but still offers an attractive contribution to the program. Belgian sensation Helmut Lotti turns in a mostly believable imitation of Johnny Mathis in "Adeste Fideles" and betrays his interest in Elvis Presley in "Christmas is Here Again." Domingo's "An Old Fashioned Christmas" will be more familiar to many listeners from Frank Sinatra's Christmas album; Domingo's reading is straightforward and in his own style.
Fans of the previous star-studded galas should not hesitate--this installation delivers more of the same, but with new repertoire and a new crowd of luminaries around Domingo. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Christmas Prolog by Traditional
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 2 Minutes 0 Secs.
2.
Deck the Halls by Traditional
Performer:
Placido Domingo (Tenor)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Written: Wales, UK
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 2 Minutes 11 Secs.
3.
The Closing of the Year by Hans Zimmer
Performer:
Sarah Brightman (Soprano),
Placido Domingo (Tenor)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 4 Minutes 31 Secs.
4.
Tu scendi dalle stelle by Traditional
Performer:
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Written: Italy
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 3 Minutes 57 Secs.
5.
The Snowman: Walking In the Air by Howard Blake
Performer:
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Placido Domingo (Tenor)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1982; England
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 3 Minutes 18 Secs.
6.
Adeste fideles "O come, all ye faithful" by John Francis Wade
Performer:
Helmut Lotti (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: Classical
Written: by 1782; England
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 3 Minutes 41 Secs.
7.
Away in a manger by James R. Murray
Performer:
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Helmut Lotti (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: Romantic
Written: 1887
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 3 Minutes 15 Secs.
8.
An Old-Fashioned Christmas by Sammy Cahn
Performer:
Placido Domingo (Tenor)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 3 Minutes 47 Secs.
9.
First of May by Barry Gibb
Performer:
Sarah Brightman (Soprano)
Conductor:
Paul Bateman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
English National Opera Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Length: 2 Minutes 54 Secs.
Notes: Arranged: Paul Bateman
This selection is a bonus track.
This work was written in conjunction with Robbin and Maurice Gibb.
10.
Fröhliche Weihnacht by Traditional
Performer:
Sarah Brightman (Soprano),
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Helmut Lotti (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 1 Minutes 3 Secs.
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Cantemos Rapaces," "Christmas is Here Again," "Child in a Manger," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Another Christmas Song," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "Happy Christmas (War is Over)."
11.
Cantemos rapaces by Traditional
Performer:
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Sarah Brightman (Soprano),
Helmut Lotti (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Written: Spain
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 1 Minutes 34 Secs.
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Fröhliche Weihnacht," "Christmas is Here Again," "Child in a Manger," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Another Christmas Song," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "Happy Christmas (War is Over)."
12.
Christmas is here again by Roger Whittaker
Performer:
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Helmut Lotti (Voice),
Sarah Brightman (Soprano)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 2 Minutes 6 Secs.
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Fröhliche Weihnacht," "Cantemos rapaces," "Child in a Manger," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Another Christmas Song," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "Happy Christmas (War is Over)."
13.
Child in the Manger by Traditional
Performer:
Sarah Brightman (Soprano),
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Helmut Lotti (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 3 Minutes 21 Secs.
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Fröhliche Weihnacht," "Cantemos Rapaces," "Christmas is Here Again," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Another Christmas Song," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "Happy Christmas (War is Over)."
14.
Angels from the realms of glory by Traditional
Performer:
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Sarah Brightman (Soprano),
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Helmut Lotti (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Written: France
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 2 Minutes 2 Secs.
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Fröhliche
Weihnacht," "Cantemos Rapaces," "Christmas is Here Again," "Child in a
Manger," "Another Christmas Song," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "Happy Christmas (War is Over)."
15.
Santa Claus is comin' to town by John Frederic Coots
Performer:
Sarah Brightman (Soprano),
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Helmut Lotti (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1934; USA
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 1 Minutes 45 Secs.
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Fröhliche
Weihnacht," "Cantemos Rapaces," "Christmas is Here Again," "Child in a
Manger," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Another Christmas Song," and "Happy Christmas (War is Over)."
16.
Silent Night by Franz Xaver Gruber
Performer:
Sarah Brightman (Soprano),
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Helmut Lotti (Voice),
Placido Domingo (Tenor)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: Classical
Written: 1818; Austria
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 7 Minutes 7 Secs.
17.
Il Re Gesú by Domingo, Placido, Jr.
Performer:
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 4 Minutes 24 Secs.
18.
Another Christmas Song by Ian Anderson
Performer:
Sarah Brightman (Soprano),
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Helmut Lotti (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 2 Minutes 11 Secs.
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Fröhliche
Weihnacht," "Cantemos Rapaces," "Christmas is Here Again," "Child in a
Manger," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "Happy Christmas (War is Over)."
19.
Happy Christmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon
Performer:
Placido Domingo (Tenor),
Sarah Brightman (Soprano),
Riccardo Cocciante (Voice),
Helmut Lotti (Voice)
Conductor:
Steven Mercurio
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Symphony Orchestra,
Gumpoldskirch Boys Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: by 1971; England
Date of Recording: 12/21/1997
Venue: Live Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
Length: 4 Minutes 5 Secs.
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Fröhliche
Weihnacht," "Cantemos Rapaces," "Christmas is Here Again," "Child in a
Manger," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Another Christmas Song,"
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town."
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