John Herald [Import]

John Herald [Import]

ASIN: B0001FUHRU

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
First time on CD for the singer songwriters first solo album released in 1973, accompanied with various artists including Amos Garrett, Bob Neuwirth, Eric Weissberg and Maria Muldaur. Includes 3 previously unreleased bonus cuts 'Found Indian', 'Loves Last Letter' & 'One Night Stand'. Miniature gatefold LP sleeve. Bongrass.

Tracks:

Medley: Good Christian Men - Rejoice - Silent Night - Patapan - O Come - All Ye Faithful
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Shepherd's Carol
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
Medley: O Sanctissima - Joy To The World - Away In A Manger - Fum, Fum, Fum - March Of The Kings
I Wonder As I Wander
We Three Kings
My Dancing Day
Medley: What Child Is This? - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Bring A Torch - Jeanette - Isabella - Angels We Have Heard On High
Coventry Carol
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Carol Of The Bells
Medley: Break Forth - O Beauteous Heavenly Light - The First Nowell - O Little Town Of Bethlehem - I Saw Three Ships - Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

Customer Reviews:

Traditional Christmas Music .......2007-01-24

If you love traditional Christmas music, done in traditional style (i.e., no rock or jazz influence), this CD is for you. The Robert Shaw Chorale, the "gold standard" of quality choral music, sings much loved carols, with some lesser-known pieces as well. Some are a cappella; some include a full orchestral accompaniment. My favorites on this CD are "We Three Kings," "Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella," and "I Saw Three Ships."

The quintessential Christmas recording.......2005-12-09

This recording seems to elicit universal and heartfelt praise. Who am I to dispute that? The performance is terrific, just as described by the other Amazon reviewers, no doubt about it.

However, I do have one bone to pick with this recording. There just isn't enough of it. With material as good as this, that is a real loss!

A Top List Christmas CD.......2004-12-28

I bought this cd long ago, and have enjoyed it immensely each year. It is the perfect blend of celebration and meditation. Orchestra and choir combine in four distinct groupings, and a capella arrangements complete the masterful collection. The orchestral arrangements will make the hairs on your neck stand up, and your stomach quiver with all the excitement you ever felt as a child at Christmas. Adeste Fidelis is performed as few other ensembles have ever come close. The a capella arrangements will all, without exception, be on your yearly list of must-hear holiday arrangements. Truly a top list Christmas CD, essential for every family who celebrates this feast.

The best.......2004-01-02

I own approximately 35 Christmas choral CDs - including choirs and groups such as the Cambridge Singers and the King Singers. I also own two Christmas albums with Robert Shaw and the Atlantic symphony. This performance with the Robert Shaw Chorale is old but it is still my favorite. The arrangements are magnificent, the sound is brilliant, and the choir and orchestra are precise with wonderful volume control. Buy and enjoy!

How do you describe perfection?.......2003-12-14

This is my favorite Christmas CD. Nothing comes close. I thoroughly enjoyed learning much of the music in high school choir over 30 years ago. The music has never left me. The four medleys are the arrangements of Robert Russell Bennett titled "The Many Moods of Christmas". The arrangements seem to have a freshness about them even after listening numerous times.

Interspersed with the medleys are a cappella carols.

All of this music is wonderfully performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale, the a cappella selections recorded in 1957 and the medleys in 1963.

Four decades have proven that this is the standard in choral music. The clarity of text, the richness of tone, the beauty of harmony combine to present the message of Christmas in the manner that only music can do.

Tracks:

Dream A Dream (Elysium)
O Come, All Ye Faithful
The Little Drummer Boy
Mary's Boy Child
Ding Dong! Merrily On High
Winterwonderland
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The Coventry Carol (Lully Lullay)
Joy To The World
When A Child Is Born
What Child Is This?
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Draw Tua Bethlehem/Far Over Bethlehem
Ave Maria
Gabriel's Message
O Holy Night
Lo! How A Rose E'er Blooming
Silent Night

Amazon.com

Everybody's favorite precocious sprite of a soprano comes out with her third album in Dream a Dream. It's only been two years since Charlotte Church's smash debut, Voice of an Angel, but that's a big chunk of the Welsh singer's life span so far. This latest is basically a Christmas album, so full of festive cheer you'd never guess it was recorded in the summer. Even the glummest of moods will disappear when you hear Charlotte's infectious take on chestnuts such as "Winter Wonderland" and "Little Drummer Boy" (and having the London Symphony Orchestra as your backup band doesn't hurt either). And on top of that is a really special treat: the title song (borrowing an unforgettable classical melody) which blends Church's soaring vocals with the tender voice of young country prodigy Billy Gilman. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

Dream a dream.......2007-04-03

I bought this CD after watching the music video of the same name. Their performance of "dream a dream" is exquisite. The fact that they wrote the lyrics just adds icing to an already magnificent cake!

This girl has Potential (I wish the press would back off)!!!!!!.......2007-03-01

You know charlotte church has received so much harsh critismn about her,I find that people were jeolous of her voice, and of how a young girl can sing, she is definetly my dream ome true, (So back off johnathan flanders),this girl in the past has done some wonderful music which is inspirational and she is a wonderful person, I dont care whether she has changed, anyway her rock albumn has given me a lease on life and has given me potential in my singing,I love your voice very much, and this reviewer hasnt been written by a kid at all,if charlotte church is reading this,good on yeah girl,you definetly my dream come true,and I hope I will see you one day. your best friend JJCox

This girl has Potential (I wish the press would back off)!!!!!!.......2007-03-01

A must-have for Christmas music lovers.......2006-12-07

this cd is pure magic...almost 20 great christmas songs on one cd sung by the voice of an angel herself..there may be a few mixed reviews by some people who must be opera voice teachers because there is nothing wrong with this cd...it is flawless....charlotte's soaring vocals, the beautiful orchestra and background singers, the whole cd has the christmas feel to it..."o come all ye faithfull" has to be heard to be believed...it is breathtaking...i love charlottes take on "winter wonderland" and "ding dong merrily on high" ..made me want to go dance in the snow or something.....she hits every note beautifully..buy this cd...i bought it back in 2000 and have listened to it at every Christmastime since or Christmas doesnt feel the same.

Gorgeous! .......2005-12-07

Charlotte Church has done it again! She is extremely talented. Even if she was 25 when she put this out, she'd be amazing. But she was only 14-15 years old when she recorded this! Beautiful. This album has great choral accompaniments and fabulous orchestra arrangements. It is a little on the high side in certain songs, but it still sounds amazing. I love her voice.

Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Joy To The World........a joy indeed!
If you like classical Christmas music, this is for you
"Joy To The World . . . The Lord Has Come . . . And Heaven And Nature Sing"
Christmas music done in Ormady's rich "Philadelphia Sound"
A Timeless Christmas Classic

Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Christmas Festival
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A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale

ASIN: B000003EPC
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing
Away In The Manger
The Little Drummer Boy
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Waltz of the Flowers
What Child Is This
Sleigh Ride
The First Nowell
Carol of the Bells
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Joy to the World
I Wonder As I Wander
Good King Wenceslas
Silent Night
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Angels We Have Heard On High
Silver Bells
Messiah: Pastoral Symphony (Messiah)
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus

Customer Reviews:

Joy To The World........a joy indeed!.......2007-03-16

This wonderful CD has everything to celebrate the great joy of the Christmas season. Recorded in the early 1970's it still sounds as fresh and timeless as it did way back then.
The orchestrations are majestic and imaginative without being mushy or too symphonic in structure.The addition of the chorus in most of the carols is an added bonus. The singers and orchestra blend wonderfully without either dominating the other too much. The programme of selected songs is excellent and with some lovely orchestra only tracks the CD is not tiring to listen to creating a well balanced programme.
Maestro Eugene Ormandy conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra with great zeal and a passion for the music that is felt by the listener.The chorus master is the very talented Robert Page and the carols are arranged and orchestrated by the great Arthur Harris.
The sound quality is excellent and the CD has been beautifully remastered without any loss of crispness or dynamics.The stereo balance and instrument placement sound superb with the singers centre stage.
This is a remarkably good CD from the RCA Gold Seal range and is a must for lovers of really good seasonal music played with love and passion for the joys of the Christmas season.
Thank you for taking the trouble to read my review and I wish one and all much enjoyment from this lovely CD.

Happy listening!

If you like classical Christmas music, this is for you.......2007-01-13

A truly great collection of classical Christmas music. Highly recommended.

"Joy To The World . . . The Lord Has Come . . . And Heaven And Nature Sing".......2006-12-15

For those of you who, like me, love traditional and old-fashioned Christmas carols with a chorus and a full orchestra, this album is just a perfect listen this Yuletide season. It's always been a delight listening to this classic Christmas CD, "Joy to the World with Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus." It creates a nostalgic feeling and an atmosphere of an old-fashioned Christmas that reminds me so much of the past Christmas celebrations I had with my late parents. This is the kind of Christmas music they so loved.

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Robert Page performed ten of the nineteen tracks and The Philadelphia Orchestra performed the rest of the tracks without the Chorus under the baton of one of the most respected names in conducting and orchestration, Eugene Ormandy. Arthur Harris beautifully and traditionally arranged all the songs. This is one of the greatest Christmas albums ever recorded and a worthy addition to your Christmas collection.

The true essence of Christmas is captured by the artful blend of voices from the chorus combined with the sublime orchestration from the first carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" to the last piece, Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah."

Each and every track is a highlight and sacredly performed. My top favorites are "Silent Night," Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker," "Angels We Have Heard On High," "Away In A Manger," "What Child Is This? (Greensleeves), and "Joy To The World."

"Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing."

Joyfully recommended!

Christmas music done in Ormady's rich "Philadelphia Sound".......2004-12-04

"Joy to the World" has Eugene Ormandy with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus providing a rich selection of Christmas songs, both classical and traditional, arranged by Arthur Harris. It is the former that are most impressive, although there are fewer of them, starting with Mendelssohn's "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker," then ending with Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire," and the "Pastoral Symphony" and "Hallelujan Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah."

Eugene Ormandy (born Jenö Blau in Budapest) was one of the most famous of the popular American conductors of the 20th century, known best for his long time relationship with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Originally gaining public notice with the orchestra when he served as a last-minute replacement for an ill Arturo Toscanini in 1931, Ormandy would serve as Musical Director in Phialdelphia from 1938 until 1980. Under his baton the Philadelphia Orchestra became known for its warm tones, textured romantic "Philadelphia Sound," which is well represented on this Christmas album. I always thought Ormandy's interpretation of Rachmaninoff was particularly strong, although I do not know enough about classical music to articulate a coherent defense of that position beyond noting that when Vladimir Horowitz played Rachmaninoff's Third Concerto on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his Carnegie Hall debut, he picked Ormandy as the conductor of the orchestra that night.

There is over an hour's worth of music here for you to enjoy if you like more of the classical approach to your Christmas music. But Ormandy's work is always marked by an ability to bring out the emotions of music being played by a symphonic orchestra. That is why the standout tracks here are "The Little Drummer Boy," "I Wonder as I Wander," and "What Child Is This?" You would not normally think of these songs as working as well song by a chorus that by a single individual, but this album will get you to rethink your position. In terms of choirs at Christmas I still have a preference for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Ray Conniff Singers (I embrace the extremes), but in terms of listening to an orchestra play Christmas music, this is as good as it gets.

A Timeless Christmas Classic.......2003-12-08

I'm a lover of traditional Christmas music and I've acquired about 20 CDs of it. There's nothing my family likes better in December than putting on some good Christmas music and getting in the mood for the season, hearing once again the old favorites you've known since childhood. Of all the Christmas music CDs I've tried, I have two desert-island favorites, the two I always reach for first. This is one of them. I think it's one of the greatest recordings of traditional Christmas music ever made. The arrangements (by Arthur Harris) are joyous, beautiful, and soul-stirring; the performances are heartfelt and magnificent. If you can listen to this CD and not feel filled by the Christmas spirit, you must be (a) named Ebeneezer Scrooge, or (b) deaf. This one is a timeless Christmas classic, not to be missed. Warmest recommendation.

Average customer rating:

Nice music but...
Great CD
A Noble and Festive Christmas
Meat and Potatoes
Totally Awesome

A Festival of Carols in Brass

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000024Q6
Release Date: 1991-07-16

Tracks:

Deck The Halls With Broughs Of Holly
Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming
Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
The First Nowell
Angels We Have Hard On High
We Three Kings Of Oreint Are
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Sanctissima
O Tannenbaum
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Good King Weceslas
Silent Night, Holy Night
Joy To the World
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
Conventry Carol
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Good Christian Men Rejoice
O Holy Night
What Child Is This?
Wassial Song
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Away In A Manger
We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Customer Reviews:

Nice music but..........2007-03-08

I liked the music and the performances a lot, but there is no booklet to depict the performers, nor analyse the music or the arrangements, which are superb

Great CD.......2007-02-16

This is a great holiday CD. We used it for several holiday dinners this year.

A Noble and Festive Christmas.......2007-01-21

This is the best Christmas album you could ever get. It is the most stable as you do not have to think about it. This is the album you really sing along to. Brass makes everything festive, grand and noble; so will your Christmas! A gem for every year!

Meat and Potatoes.......2007-01-18

Since the release of this fine recording in 1967 there have been many fine
brass groups:The Canadian Brass, the Empire Brass, just to name a few.
Whereas these latter groups have all resorted to "gimmicks" such as unique arrangements to sell their albums this group of brass players from the Philadelphia Orchestra give us an album of good old "meat and potatoes" playing spiced with fine tone,good ensemble playing, and good tempos.

Totally Awesome.......2007-01-12

I love listening to this cd at christmas. The brass is so crisp, almost like being right there. You have to add this to your holiday collection, and for those of you who like brass, you will love it. I play the french horn and I esp. love hearing the french horn in it.

Average customer rating:

Superb Christmas Album
Love Mario Lanza
Mario Lanza - fantastic
Christmas Hymns & Carols: You Do Something to Me
Pure hymnal power.

Christmas with Mario Lanza

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003EP6
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Deck The Halls
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
Joy To The World
O Christmas Tree
I Saw Three Ships
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Ave Maria
O Holy Night
The Virgin's Slumber Song
Pieta Signore
The First Nowell
O Come All Ye Faithful
Away In A Manger
We Three Kings
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Silent Night
Guardian Angels
I'll Walk With God
The Lord's Prayer

Customer Reviews:

Superb Christmas Album.......2007-02-19

Mario Lanza infuses his characteristic beautiful vocal intensity into this collection of carols and Christmas songs.
The result is an outstanding album which will bring a lump to your throat and tears to your eye.
The recordings are old, but the Lanza magic makes this album a must-buy

Love Mario Lanza.......2007-01-28

I love Mario Lanza. He is in my top favs. I have wanted this album for ages and it is just as great as I knew it would be. I'll be back to buy more of Mario Lanza.

Mario Lanza - fantastic.......2007-01-15

Fantastic voice, wonderful classic Christmas songs. My all-time favourite version of O Holy Night - spine tingling.

Christmas Hymns & Carols: You Do Something to Me.......2007-01-12

Wonderful songs, great selections of songs sung by the greatest singer, Mario Lanza.

Pure hymnal power........2006-12-20

I have just spent the past six hours listening to snippets of every Christmas CD that I can find on Amazon, and this is the best by far. It's the purest rendition of the best Christmas hymns that are sung in church on Christmas Eve. No inane flourishes, no ignorant alterations, no arrogant amendments, just pure hymnal power. Don't agree? Type "christmas" in the Amazon music search box, listen to all the renditions of all the classic hymns such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" and when you are done you cannot but agree that Mario Lanza is not surpassed.

Update: I am now listening to the full CD and it is better even than I had hoped for. The beauty of Lanza's voice brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.

Average customer rating:

Amazing skills, yet too busy for listening enjoyment
John Bayless Christmas Rhapsody
best concert pianist in the world
My favorite of the season
Best Piano Christmas CD ever!

Christmas Rhapsody

Manufacturer: Koch Records
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ASIN: B0002VEQ5C
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL / ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH / HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS / "GOING HOME" NEW WORLD SYMPHONY
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN / DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY
THE CHRISTMAS SONG
RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER / LET IT SNOW
AVE MARIA
O COME O COME EMANUEL / O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM / THE FIRST NOEL
WINTER WONDERLAND / JINGLE BELLS
SILENT NIGHT / O HOLY NIGHT
SWEET LITTLE JESUS BOY / AWAY IN A MANGER / WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
JESU JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING / AMAZING GRACE
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
WHITE CHRISTMAS

Customer Reviews:

Amazing skills, yet too busy for listening enjoyment.......2006-12-13

I can't believe how well John Bayless has mastered the piano. This is very obvious from the first song that you ever hear him play. I'd really like to watch him play in concert. However, the songs on this album are too much work for me to listen to. The music is so busy that I can hardly concentrate on the melody and it hardly gives me the peace I expect from traditional Christmas music. Some of my favorites for this category are Jim Brickman, David Huntsinger, and Tim Janis.

John Bayless Christmas Rhapsody.......2006-02-13

Christmas Rhapsody has quickly become one of our all time favorite Chistmas CDs. We love it so much that it is February 10th and we are still listening to it.

best concert pianist in the world.......2005-08-18

John Bayless is the best concert pianist in the world. This album shows his genuis. Perfect music to listen to any time of the year.
This is the best Christmas album on the market.

My favorite of the season.......2004-12-31

This is the holiday music I have listened to throughout the season, and it is so beautiful I cannot bear to put it away yet. I love Bayless's work at any time, and these arrangements simply take my breath away. His blending of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with "Going Home" from the New World Symphony is particulary poignant. And his signature "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring/Amazing Grace" is seasonless and timeless. Christmas is over, but get this anyway; it's wonderful.

Best Piano Christmas CD ever!.......2004-12-15

David Lanz? Jim Brickman? John Tesh? Move over guys... John Bayless has done what no others could... Taken the xmas classics to a new level of musical enjoyment! By combining the songs together, and making them so rich and full of life, this will be my favorite Christmas CD for a looooooooooong time.

Average customer rating:

Can I give it more than 5 stars? Sublime.
It will become part of your Xmas
Shockingly beautiful...
It doesn't get any better than this.
Superb Christmas Cd From A Sublime Soprano,Ms.Norman!

Jessye Norman - Christmastide
George Frideric Handel , Christmas Traditional , Felix Mendelssohn , Adolphe Adam , Research Composer , Franz Xaver Gruber , Jr. Hopkins John Henry , Anonymous , John Francis Wade , Robert de Cormier , and Jessye Norman
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ASIN: B0000040YQ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Christmastide: O Come, O Come Emanuel
Christmastide: Once In Royal David's City
Christmastide: Unto Us A Child Is Born
Christmastide: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Christmastide: Good Christian Men Rejoice
Christmastide: O Holy Night
Christmastide: The Holly And The Ivy
Christmastide: See Amid The Winter Snow
Christmastide: I Saw Three Ships
Christmastide: This Christmastide
Christmastide: Coventry Carol
Christmastide: In The Bleak Mid-Winter
Christmastide: Silent Night
Christmastide: Angels We Have Heard On High
Christmastide: We Three Kings Of Orient Are
Christmastide: Joy To The World
Christmastide: Adeste fideles
Christmastide: Amen

Customer Reviews:

Can I give it more than 5 stars? Sublime........2006-12-01

It's a treat to play year after year December after December. I love the order of the songs, the lavish orchestral acompaniment, and the boy choir supporting Jessye Norman's astonishing voice. A beautifully produced CD, by far my favorite Christmas album.

It will become part of your Xmas.......2005-12-04

It's a reference. Start your Christmas season with this CD.
Jessye is perfect as always.
The harmonization is another pearl in this work. The balance between her voice and the boy's choir completes the ambience.
Pay special attention to "See Amid the Winter's Snow"

Shockingly beautiful..........2005-12-04

This album is shockingly beautiful. Norman's voice is amazing. The first track alone brings tears to my eyes. This is one of my favourite Christmas albums of all time. If you like Jeysse Norman and you like beautiful, sacred Christmas music, then you should also check out Jeysse Norman At Notra Dame.

It doesn't get any better than this........2005-08-22

This is one of the most perfectly beautiful recordings of any kind in existence. The pure glory of Jessye's voice is enhanced by the moving, glowing arrangements and thrilling accompanying performances. You will not find a better Christmas album, this is a true work of love and art in the spiritual realm. While it fills your ears with resplendant sound it fills your heart with love and hope.

Superb Christmas Cd From A Sublime Soprano,Ms.Norman!.......2003-08-22

Christmastide is heavenly listening!Excellent sound & glorious arrangements.Jesseye Norman was in stupendous voice while making this recording.I listen to it every christmas,and I'm taken away every year by Jesseye's tremendous achievement.Her O Holy Night brings me to tears.She sings with much joy and with much sacred intensity too.Bringing an unigue interpretation to every single track on this album.Christmastide is destined to become a classic,thanks to Ms.Normans supreme contribution she brought to the making of this album.

Average customer rating:

God Bless America!
Hero For Today
This CD is awesome!
More Patriotic Dribble!
Terrific!

Hero for Today

Manufacturer: Altissimo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Duty, Honor, Country
American Pride: Sixteen Stirring Patriotic Themes
Forward March! Great American Marches
God Bless America: Ult Patriotic Album
America's Favorite Patriotic Songs

ASIN: B00020HAVK
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Tracks:

Heroic Fanfare
Hymn To The Fallen (From Saving Private Ryan)
A Hero For Today
Battle Hymn Of The Republic
America The Beautiful
God Bless The U.S.A.
Here's To America
The Last Full Measure Of Devotion
We Were There
Duty, Honor, Country
This Is My Country
Ragged Old Flag
The Flag Still Flies High
God Bless America
The Armed Services Medley: Semper Paratus/The Air Force Song/Anchors Aweigh
The Stars And Stripes Forever

Customer Reviews:

God Bless America!.......2006-07-27

I listened with at least moist eyes - and often streaming tears - to this stunning collection as I enjoyed a scenic ride on Amtrak from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR. I could not help but be proud and grateful for our most honorable country and the dedication and sacrifice of the people who volunteer to protect and defend her. I bought 15 copies and gave them to my friends and family. I intend to give copies to my best clients. Needless to say, I commend A Hero for Today to all.

Hero For Today.......2006-07-05

I heard the title song first at the memorial marker ceramony for Paul R. Smith, the first Medal of Honor recipient of the WOT. I went searching for a CD and to my surprise, found it as the title.

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I have found the tone quality very good. My only 'complaint' is the lack of printed lyrics.

While I'm not usually a huge fan of military music, I found the lyrics time appropriate for occassional use in my social studies classes. While we have many discussions about the US policies, many of us can use a reminder of those few that are giving up so much for the many.

This CD is awesome!.......2005-08-15

I bought the CD for my mom who LOVES "We Were There". The 3rd infantry performs a great rendition of it during their concert series every year on the Ellipse in Washington D.C. which includes soldiers wearing the uniforms of the Army as they have evolved and a very stirring speech. Since the 3rd infantry is unable to sell recordings to the public, being able to at least get the song feor my mom was a wonderful present. The other music on the CD was also wonderfully patriotic and beautifully performed.

More Patriotic Dribble!.......2005-08-06

Another re-hash of Altissimo! recordings here. Once again recordings have been drawn together from the US Army Band Library which means the sound quality is often un-even, and nothing is original here.

The standard US Armed Forces Medley Altissimo! just uses from one CD to the next. I don't think they ever change the band playing it! So no mention of when these recordings were made either, or who was directing the Army band when they were done. Altissimo! has not reached that level of professionalism that other labels attained long ago.

Most of the patriotic material here has been issued before by Altissimo! There is very little new material on this CD. The redundant program presented here is a common feature with most US service bands. The musicianship is first-rate: The music they play often second or third rate! These bands can do a lot more than play this kind of dribble. Of course Altissimo! thinks that only the popular stuff will sell. And so they market the same thing over and over.

The picture on the front with the US soldier in desert tans is intended to pull in the patriotic buyer today. The funny thing here is that the recordings combined here were probably in the can pre-9/11! Buyer beware!

Terrific!.......2004-05-24

"Hero for Today" is a wonderfully balanced collection from the US Army Band and Chorus. There was a good selection of patriotic music, both old and new. The balance within the chorus was well executed, as was the balance between the band and the chorus. Their rendition of "Hymn to the Fallen" was thoughtful, almost prayerful, with a subtle choral overtone. The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" was a fresh and full arrangement of an old favorite. "Here's to America" was an upbeat expression of faith in America, in good contrast to the reflective "A Hero For Today." "This Is My Country" was set with a majestic tone, while "God Bless America" was an upbeat expression of an old favorite. I'd recommend this CD to anyone who would like to hear both traditional and new expressions of patriotic music.

Average customer rating:

A Mormon Tabernacle Christmas CD
Is this the best Christmas album ever recorded?
A Perfect Traditional Christmas Album
Stunningly beautiful
Beautiful...Intriguing...This is Christmas

A Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas
George Frideric Handel , Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovych , John Jacob Niles , Christmas Traditional , Barlow Bradford , Felix Mendelssohn , Franz Xaver Gruber , Craig D. Jessop , John Longhurst , Robert Breault , Mormon Tabernacle Choir , and Orchestra at Temple Square
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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Silent Night: The Greatest Hits of Christmas
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ASIN: B00004WKD2
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Joy To The World
Carol Of The Bells
I Wonder As I Wander
Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance?
Masters In This Hall
The First Noel
How Far Is It To Bethlehem?
Pat-A-pan
What Shall We Give To The Babe In The Manger?
One December Bright And Clear
Fantasy On 'What Child Is This?'
Hark! The Herald Angel Sing
Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head
Angels From The Realms Of Glory
Silent Night

Amazon.com

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has made more than 20 seasonal recordings since its first one (for broadcast to U.S. servicemen in Europe and the Pacific on Christmas Day, 1945), but none finer than this one, led by the group's newly appointed music director, Craig Jessop. Featuring lush arrangements by Mack Wilberg and Barlow Bradford, it emphasizes the gentler, more rapturous moods of the holiday, especially in such beautiful settings as Wilberg's of "Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance?" and "How Far Is It to Bethlehem?" and Bradford's fantasy on "What Child Is This?" Balancing these are several selections in which the choir's blazing, full-voiced splendor shines forth, including Wilberg's festive arrangements of "Joy to the World" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," as well as Bradford's colorful take on "Pat-a-pan." The choir's singing is magnificent. Listen to the way the men lead off "The First Noel" and to how the full chorus builds the piece to a gorgeous climax, or to the virtuosic job the singers do in the "Carol of the Bells" (with its echoes of Rachmaninoff's The Bells). Impressively backed by the Orchestra at Temple Square, this is a disc to treasure, and a tribute to the admirable work being done in Salt Lake City by maestro Jessop--who now seems poised to inherit the mantle of Robert Shaw. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy or a worthier musician. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

A Mormon Tabernacle Christmas CD.......2007-01-19

CD arrived in perfect condition; however, the front of the jewel case was cracked.

Is this the best Christmas album ever recorded?.......2005-12-29

There have been so many Christmas albums over the years, when I saw this I thought 'Oh no, not another one?' Then I looked at the track titles and saw that this was something different. Among the traditional carols there were many unfamiliar titles (I say this as a foreigner - some may be better known in the USA than in Australia). I decided to buy the SACD version of this release. What a revelation! Where do I start?
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is famous for producing very enjoyable choral recordings, usually with a religious theme, but frankly, on an international scale, they do not rate with the best (compare them with some of the better UK symphonic choirs, which is how the Tabernacle choir must be categorized, to see what I mean). But on this album, they have placed themselves well and truly in the international arena. Every aspect of their singing is, to me, perfect - diction, phrasing, musical expression, ensemble, and of greatest importance, a total involvement with and perfect expression of the words and the music. They don't sing about Santa Claus; they sing about the true meaning of Christmas, and mean it. And you really hear how well they sing in the few 'a capella' sections - musical moments that are unsurpassed.
Then there are the arrangements. These express everything from the implicit grandeur of God coming down to earth, through to the greatest tenderness of the simplicity of his birth as Jesus. All the orchestrations and choral arrangements are completely fresh and unhackneyed, ranging from the most exquisite harmonies through to extraordinarily bold key changes - the people who did these arrangements are amongst the best in the business.
Then there is the program. This ranges from fresh arrangements of old favourites (sample the fantasy on 'What Child is This?'), to an exploration of the most beautiful unfamiliar songs and carols you will ever hear.
Finally the engineering. Telarc are famous for the audiophile standards of their recordings, and this is one of their best. The SACD fully utilizes the multiple channels, without resorting to gimmickry. If ever there was a 'you-are-there' recording, this is it.
In summation: no matter how many Christmas CDs you own; buy this one too. The CD version works well (and remember, if you buy the SACD version - Telarc SACD-60552 - it will play on an ordinary CD player as well), but if you have the equipment to play the multi-channel SACD, you will get an even more rewarding experience.
All the above may sound over the top, but, as you may have gathered, this release has had a massive impact on me at every level. It is a prize in my collection. The greatest Christmas album ever? Quite possibly.

A Perfect Traditional Christmas Album.......2005-12-28

What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger. What an incredible piece, and how well- conducted it is. The music brings tears to my eyes, to be sure. The album is a classic example of how holiday choral music should be performed. This is done with spirit and tenderness.

If only other orchestras, choirs, and arrangements could be performed as well. Some are, but how often do we purchase an album just to find it not what we like? Fortunately, one can listen to clips of each of the pieces, before purchasing.

"What Shall We Bring" is becoming now my fondest Christmas song. The performance by the Mormon Choir and orchestra is incredible, to me. I've found other versions of the song, but this version is the finest, by far.

For those interested about my favorite piece: It is from a traditional Catalonian Carol, translated from Spanish, called, "The Son of Mary."

Stunningly beautiful.......2005-12-14

I have heard and enjoyed many recordings from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir over the years. Then, it happened. I heard Joy to the World from this album on the radio and it sent chills up my spine. That never happened. A thrilling arrangement. The other music equally excellent as described. If you have never been big fan of Christmas music, get this album and surprise yourself.

Beautiful...Intriguing...This is Christmas.......2004-12-09

The Mormon Tabernacle choir is already known for their beautiful voices of praise. When you add the orchestra of temple square and the spirit of christmas, you receive even more. This CD portrays the birth of Christ. It is beautiful!

Average customer rating:

Excellent
Perfect
Classic Dale Warland

Christmas With the Dale Warland Singers

Manufacturer: Gothic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Harvest Home
December Stillness
Christmas Echoes, Vol. 1
Blue Wheat
Cathedral Classics

ASIN: B00009W0HQ
Release Date: 2003-08-05

Tracks:

Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant (He Is Born)
The Virgin's Cradle Hymn (Dormi, Jesu!)
Susanni
Prepare The Way
Fum, Fum, Fum! From Seven Joys Of Christmas
Sweet Was The Song The Virgin Sang
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine
The Holly And The Ivy
This Endris Night
Wonder Tidings
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Ai, Nama Mamina From Three Latvian Carols
The Friendly Beasts
Carol Of The Bells
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen (Lo, How A Rose)
Huron Carol ('Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime)
Patapan From Seven Joys Of Christmas
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Gabriel's Message
Silent Night

Album Description

The Dale Warland Singers make their debut on Gothic with a beautiful new Christmas CD, featuring imaginative arrangements of carols from around the world. The sound is incomparable!

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-01-19

To anyone who appreciates choral music, or even some of you who only like to listen to it during the holidays, this is the album for you. The music is so familiar, but so aesthetically pleasing to listen to. The choir sounds clear and majestic from the clear sounds of the basses to the beautiful pings of the sopranos. Forget the garbbled sounds of Choirs with people who think that singing in Forte the whole way through is beautiful. This is angelic, yet very fun to listen to. Enjoyment for the whole family. 5 Stars

Perfect.......2005-12-02

This CD is worth buying for the track Prepare the Way alone. All the tracks are amazing, but that one is the best.

Classic Dale Warland.......2003-10-31

As has been the case with most DWS recordings, this is truly a classic. Beautifully sung, with new and interesting arrangements of traditional favorites, this disc is a must for all holiday music and DWS fans. Of note are Stephen Paulus' rhythmic "The Holly and the Ivy" and Praetorius' beautiful "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" arranged by Jan Sandström. I highly recommend this recording.

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review