Best-Loved Christmas Carols (The Millennia Collection) [Hardcover]

Ronald M. Clancy (Author), William Studwell (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2000 | Series: The Millennia Collection (Book 1)

THE MILLENNIA COLLECTION
Vol. # 1 - Best-Loved Christmas Carols

One of the most exquisite collections of Christmas carols produced in the last one hundred years!

HIGHLY EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING.
Increase your knowledge about Christmas music with this lavishly illustrated history about our the origin of carols from the 13th to 19th period and the fascinating stories behind 25 favorite carols.

BEAUTIFUL TREASURY OF ART.
Experience the color of magnificent works of art by Rembrandt, Bottecelli, Peter Paul Rubens, Edward Burne-Jones, Fra Angelico, Jan Steen and other famous artists of the Western World, plus nostalgic images of Christmas cards from the Victorian Era, and a manuscript illumination from an ancient Book Of Hours. .

TRADITIONAL FAVORITES.
Enjoy the classical sounds of Joy to the World, Silent Night, Adeste Fideles, O Tannenbaum, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly, and other best-loved carols performed by world renowned choirs and orchestras, such as the Vienna Boys Choir, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus.

FAMILY HEIRLOOM.

SUMPTUOUS GIFT PACKAGE.

Here's an opportunity to own one of the most important collection of Christmas carols, one which combines fascinating Stories, Art, Carol Lyrics, and Music CD in a gift box.

FEATURES: * Magnificent collection of Fine Art, many full-page color plates.

* Sensational CD of 25 favorite carols.

* SPECIAL BONUS softback Songbook with music scores of all 25 carols.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Joy to the World! Surrounded by the holiday season s sleaziness and cheesiness, it baubles and bangles and tinsel and glitter, we re all sometimes tempted to grouse, like Dickens Mr. Scrooge, that Christmas has become but a poor excuse for picking a man s pocket every twenty-fifth of December. Ronald Clancy's "Best-Loved Christmas Carols" should banish your yuletide humbug blues. .... Anyone craving some holiday cheer, in short, is well advised to toss a Yule log on the nearest flames, curl up with this engrossing history of some of the world s most cherished tunes and pop the CD in. By the time, a few cuts in, the Royal Philharmonic Chorus is belting out Joy to the World, you ll feel like Scrooge after he s finally seen the light. --Savannah Morning News - Doug Wyatt

"Best-Love Christmas Carols" is a gift of magnificent proportions to the reading and listening public across America and the English-speaking world. Every page fairly glistens with the sparkle of the Yuletide treasures that carols have become. Here is a fascinating book with little-known facts and interesting stories, luminously gorgeous pictures and sumptuous musical settings - all uniquely packaged, as a unit. . . . There is truly something for everyone: paintings to feast the yes upon, engaging information for the intellect, and heart-felt renditions to reach the soul. . . . It is a present that will continue to give year after year? --Dr. Leonard Van Camp, Retired Director of Choral Activities - Southern Illinois University

Ronald M. Clancy s boxed set of "Best-Loved Christmas Carols" is such a good idea it is a wonder no one has produced something similar. The set has three parts: a compact disc of the songs, a songbook with lyrics and sheet music, and an illustrated book about the history and message of the songs. The CD has 25 Christmas carols recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Philadelphia s St. Frances de Sales Boy Choir, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and others. It is 75 minutes of what I would agree are the best secular and religious Christmas songs - - and by that I mean no repetitive, saccharine Rudolph and Frosty. In the songbook each carol s sheet music and lyrics are set on one page for ease in actually singing them with friends and family. Last is the book of art and essays, which is a work of art itself. There are many full-color reproductions of Nativity and Epiphany paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and lesser-known artists whose works you will recognize from holiday cards. Clancy chose art works that were created at the same time as the songs. So "Lo how a Rose E re Blooming," written in the 15th century, is illustrated with a page from the Salzburg Missal, a rare book in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek in Munich, Germany. This 8-by-10 reproduction can be examined here more closely than would be possible even if you could hold the actual missal in your hand. Clancy chose the illuminated miniature painting "The Tree of Jesse," which shows the Madonna and Child as the flower at the top of a swirling tree that sprouts from the chest of the sleeping Jesse. This book is full of such wonders. --Catholic News Service - Maureen E. Daly

About the Author

Ron Clancy is one of the country's leading experts on the history of Christmas music. He has written four books on the subject, garnering high praise from customers, media, and professional journals. A graduate of the George Washington University with a degree in Journalism, he has appeared on the PBS program "Religion & Ethics Newsweekly," EWTN's "Bookmark," New York's "The God Squad," Comcast's "Real Life with Mary Amoroso," and QVC Cable Shopping Channel. He has been a guest on hundreds of radio stations, and his singular shoestring effort to create extraordinary Christmas music book/CD collections, despite the advice of marketing experts from the titans of the direct marketing industry who said it couldn't be done, has been a feature story of numerous newspapers and magazines across the country.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 109 pages
• Publisher: Christmas Classics Ltd; 1st edition (September 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615114601
• ISBN-13: 978-0615114606
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,362,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ron Clancy is one of the country's leading experts on the history of Christmas music. He has written four books on the subject, garnering high praise from customers, media, and professional journals. A graduate of the George Washington University with a degree in Journalism, he has appeared on the PBS program "Religion & Ethics Newsweekly," EWTN's "Bookmark," New York's "The God Squad," Comcast's "Real Life with Mary Amoroso," and QVC Cable Shopping Channel. He has been a guest on hundreds of radio stations, and his singular shoestring effort to create extraordinary Christmas music book/CD collections, despite the advice of marketing experts from the titans of the direct marketing industry who said it couldn't be done, has been a feature story of numerous newspapers and magazines across the country.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Background on Popular Christmas Carols, February 6, 2007

By 

Michael Dubruiel "annunciations.wordpress.com" (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best-Loved Christmas Carols: The Stories Behind Twenty-five Yuletide Favorites (Hardcover)

I saw the author of this book interviewed on EWTN's Bookmark and was interested in reading the book based on his insights. The book delivers, not only do you get a great overview of each carol's history, but a cd is included that has an excellent version of the carol--so you can listen and read at the same time!
This would make an excellent Christmas gift (early) for a school teacher who might be looking to give his or her students some background on the origins of popular Christmas carols.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Christmas Gift!, January 25, 2006

By 

Terence Hogan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best-Loved Christmas Carols (The Millennia Collection) (Hardcover)

I was looking to buy a unique gift for someone special when I heard about Best-Loved Christmas Carols. After some investigating, I purchased it and when it arrived several days later I was thrilled with it. The fine art and stunning images jump right off the pages! And it was most interesting learning about the origins of carols as I listened with great pleasure to the magnificent CD that was part of the package. This is no ordinary Christmas gift! I highly recommend Best-Loved Christmas Carols for anyone with an interest in Christmas and its music.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brighter, More Joyful Christmas!, January 4, 2006

By 

Robert C. Scott - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best-Loved Christmas Carols (The Millennia Collection) (Hardcover)

After having purchased and thoroughly enjoyed the first of Mr. Clancy's "Millenia Collection" - the "Best Loved Christmas Carols" - I'd like to commend its author for providing me and my family with such immense pleasure this past Christmas season. This package of beautiful musical selections and fascinating anecdotal reading will be a coffee table conversation piece and family heirloom for many Christmas seasons to come
For my money, anyone interested in learning more about Christmas carols and their origins should purchase this wonderful product. Frankly, if the rest of Mr. Clancy's "Millenia Collection" is anything close to this initial offering's breadth of historical perspective and musical offerings, all fans of Christmas music and its history should be in for a fantastic treat. I know that we can't wait to treat ourselves to more of the same, and we intend to add the others in his collection to our own family's musical library. Mr. Clancy, thank you very much!!