Re: What's your favorite Christmas CD?

on 11/28/03 7:07 PM, Diane at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> I'd love some recommendations!

1. Apollo's Fire recording of Handel's "Messiah". Period instruments in
transparent, light textures; astounding soloists well-versed in
improvisation of period and some alternate versions of arias not often
heard; hair raising tempi which are still technically flawless; good liner
notes. You'll dance all the way through it in half the time it takes most
performances and the choir sounds 50 pounds lighter. The downside is that
any performance you may hear after it will seem lacking in something.  Order
info onsite here: <http://www.apollosfire.org/CDs_Merchandise.htm>

2. A Robert Shaw Christmas: Angels on High

3. Chanticleer: Our Heart's Joy

4. anything by Dale Warland Singers, but most especially those with
Christmas vocal works composed for them by Stephen Paulus

5. Cambridge Singers/John Rutter: Christmas Star or Hurry to Bethlehem. The
first contains more familiar carol arrangements, the second one has more
original Rutter carols.

6. If you have children in your house or need to buy for someone else's
kids, don't miss Rutter's "Three Fables" CD - 3 wonderful 25 minute stories
with song: The Reluctant Dragon, Brother Heinrich's Christmas and Wind in
the Willows.

7. And for a change of pace: "Carols of the Drums: A New Age Christmas" with
The Chieftains, James Galway, Richard Stolzman, Boys Choir of Harlem and
Hampton String Quartet.

All of these can be found at most CD distributors with the exception
(perhaps) of the first.

Cindy Pribble