CD-Charts Position 341
Average Rating:

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Britten - St Nicolas; Christ Nativity; Psalm 150

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
from: Naxos

Release Date November 03, 2003
I have particular interest in the main piece on this CD, Britten's 'St. Nicolas' cantata, because a choir I sing in will be doing it later this year with our local professional chamber orchestra; interestingly, a previous performance of it by this group was so successful that a repeat has been requested. Britten, of course, wrote the work for amateur chorus and a professional tenor soloist, in this case his long-time lover, Peter Pears. Enough time has now passed that, although Pears/Britten recorded the work, it is appropriate and welcome that new forces give it a go. Philip Langridge, the tenor here, is actually a better-sounding singer than Pears, although no one would ever question Pears's musicianship. And I say that even as I am one of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 342
Average Rating:

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While Shepherds Watched - English Christmas music, 1740-1830

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Various Composers

Release Date September 29, 2008
I have particular interest in the main piece on this CD, Britten's 'St. Nicolas' cantata, because a choir I sing in will be doing it later this year with our local professional chamber orchestra; interestingly, a previous performance of it by this group was so successful that a repeat has been requested. Britten, of course, wrote the work for amateur chorus and a professional tenor soloist, in this case his long-time lover, Peter Pears. Enough time has now passed that, although Pears/Britten recorded the work, it is appropriate and welcome that new forces give it a go. Philip Langridge, the tenor here, is actually a better-sounding singer than Pears, although no one would ever question Pears's musicianship. And I say that even as I am one of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 343
Average Rating:

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It's a Wonderful Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Michael W. Smith

Release Date October 16, 2007
Michael W. Smith has released two previous Christmas CDs, and they are staples of my December. This new release will be taking an honored place beside them in my December rotation.

This release is a combination of his two previous releases. It mixes the choral feeling of the first one with the pop of the second one. And, as something new, he mixes in lots of instrumental pieces. 5 of the 11 songs are fully instrumental. But the orchestra sounds wonderful.

What is truly amazing is that this release sounds Christmassy from start to finish from the very first listen. Only one track, "What Child is This" is a traditional piece. Michael wrote or co-wrote everything else. Yet everything feels like an old familiar friend. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 344
Average Rating:

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Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas/Brighten the Corner

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Ella Fitzgerald

Release Date November 06, 2006
Michael W. Smith has released two previous Christmas CDs, and they are staples of my December. This new release will be taking an honored place beside them in my December rotation.

This release is a combination of his two previous releases. It mixes the choral feeling of the first one with the pop of the second one. And, as something new, he mixes in lots of instrumental pieces. 5 of the 11 songs are fully instrumental. But the orchestra sounds wonderful.

What is truly amazing is that this release sounds Christmassy from start to finish from the very first listen. Only one track, "What Child is This" is a traditional piece. Michael wrote or co-wrote everything else. Yet everything feels like an old familiar friend. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 345
Average Rating:

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Christmas With Nat and Dean

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Nat 'King' Cole, Dean Martin

Release Date December 18, 1995
This is excellent; pure bliss. Christmas starts here:Nat King Cole and Dean Martin, the ultimate in smooth. Turn the over lights off; switch the Christmas Tree lights on and turn up the music. Enjoy!

CD-Charts Position 346
Average Rating:

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Viaggio Italiano

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Andrea Bocelli

Release Date July 02, 2007
A fantastic selection of classic songs sang by one of the world's foremost singers. Bocelli doesn't try to alter the sound of such classics as O Sole Mio and Ave Maria he simply graces these songs with his vocal richness. An important note, the UK version is a must as it features The Pearl Fisher's Duet which in its self is worth the price of the album.

CD-Charts Position 347
Average Rating:

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A Smooth Jazz Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Dave Koz

Release Date November 12, 2001
Ahh... fire on, tree lit, presents wrapped, children in bed - sit back on your comfy chair, put this CD on and press play... enter a wonderful world of top flight, tinsel-covered fusion jazz! Perfect for chillin' out during the busy Christmas season!

CD-Charts Position 348
Average Rating:

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The Cambridge Singers Christmas Album

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Cambridge Singers

Release Date November 03, 2003
Ahh... fire on, tree lit, presents wrapped, children in bed - sit back on your comfy chair, put this CD on and press play... enter a wonderful world of top flight, tinsel-covered fusion jazz! Perfect for chillin' out during the busy Christmas season!

CD-Charts Position 349
Average Rating:

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The Christmas Trilogy [Us Import]

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Release Date November 02, 2004
Hard rock. Christmas.

These simply don't seem to go together. After all, Christmas music is usually fluffy, syrupy stuff about decking the halls, trimming the tree, and spending time with your family, et cetera. They play it in malls, and after a few hundred chirrupy renditions of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," you're ready to gnaw the tinsel off the walls.

But Trans-Siberian Orchestra breaks all the rules of Christmas music. Producer Paul O'Neill and Jon Oliva teamed up to create this trilogy of hard-rock, orchestral Christmas albums, which bring back the splendour and beauty that every Christmas album should have, but few do.

The three albums -- "Christmas Eve and Other Stories," "The ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 350
Average Rating:

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Russell Watson - Reprise

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Russell Watson

Release Date November 18, 2002

Reprise, released in November 2002, is Russell Watson's third album and probably represents a more confident and self assured release than his previous `The Voice' and `Encore', thanks to his increasingly successful concert touring and life in the limelight.

But it was also a worrying time during which he suffered a throat polyp, threatening to end his singing career, which was thankfully removed without causing long term problems to his voice.

The songs are a mix of classical, opera and popular, with a distinctly more dramatic feel to those opera choices, the best example being the version of `Granada' which takes on epic proportions with the orchestral score and an individual vocal interpretation which, while straying from ... Read More: