Product Details

• Actors: Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, Frederica von Stade
• Directors: Andre Previn
• Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Kultur Video
• DVD Release Date: July 31, 2007
• Run Time: 87 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000Q66PZW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,874 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Filmed live at Carnegie Hall in 1992 and featured on Public Television, this Christmas extravaganza is conducted by André Previn and features opera divas Kathleen Battle and Frederica von Stade with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis.

Featured composers include Engelbert Humperdinck, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mel Torme, and Franz Xaver Gruber.

Songs include:
Mary's Little Boy Chile
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Gesu Bambino
Alleluja from Exsultate, Jubilate, KV. 158a
Winter Wonderland
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
I Wonder as I Wander
Who Was Mary? Mary Was Queen of Galilee
Sister Mary Had-A But One Child
Go Tell It on the Mountain
My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music
We Three Kings of Orient Are
Abendsegen (Evening Prayer) from Hansel and Gretel
Maria Wiegenlied, Op.76, No.52
I Saw Three Ships
Away In A Manger
and many more!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Angel Voices, December 7, 2007

By 

MICHAEL ACUNA (Southern California United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert / Frederica von Stade, Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis (DVD)

The stars must have been aligned perfectly, all must have been right with the world on that night of December 8, 1991 in NYC's Carnegie Hall when this Christmas concert was filmed, because it is an example, one of those rare instances when everything falls into place perfectly.
On this particular night Kathleen Battle, Frederica Von Stade, Wynton Marsalis and Andre Previn performed, not only with their instruments but with their hearts as well. All the performers relate and connect to this often performed material in ways others simply do not. This is secular Holiday music performed with fervor and an emotional connection that borders on the religious.
The highlight of this recording is the 17 minute "American Songs" (I Wonder as I Wander, Who Was Mary, etc) performed primarily by Battle and Von Stade that is so exquisite as to be otherworldly.
Christmas Concerts can be corny or at worst, maudlin. But on this particular night in 1991, the angels sang and the heavens opened and called forth these artists to perform not only with their voices but with their souls as well. This is an emotional experience that is not to be missed.
(12/07/07: Ok, so I had to order this on amazon.uk and it was shipped from North Carolina..so go figure.
The picture is only ok, the sound is fair but at least i can once again hear and see the glory of this wonderful performance.)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Angels We Have Heard on High (and two of them at Carnegie Hall!)", September 12, 2010

By 

Classic film buff - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert / Frederica von Stade, Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis (DVD)

On December 8, 1991, a couple of weeks before Christmas, PBS filmed this gala evening live at Carnegie Hall as part of its "Great Performances" series. It absolutely was. I initially viewed it about a year or so later on PBS, had videotaped it, pledge drive interruptions and all, and it became a tradition in our family to watch it at least once along with all the other favorite Christmas movies and television specials during the holidays. Last year my wife surprised me with this DVD for Christmas, and I was delighted since after 17 years of use, our video was beginning to show it's age, and I just happen to love this concert.

The angels on view at Carnegie Hall were two glorious opera stars both in their prime, soprano Kathleen Battle, and mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, sharing the stage with jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and conductor/composer/arranger Andre Previn. The Orchestra of St. Luke's, the American Boy Choir, the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Christmas Concert Chorus provided outstanding support. The program of music selected was a very rich, eclectic one ranging from classical selections such as Mozart's "Alleluja" to modern Christmas carols such as the Blane/Martin "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." A sumptuous musical feast was presented with something to please everyone, no matter what the individual taste. The joy that the performers radiated, along with the sense of breathless wonder and anticipation of the coming Yuletide season, heightened the experience.

Besides being a treat for the ear, the concert was a visual delight as well. The stage at Carnegie Hall had as a backdrop, three huge panels of holiday winter scenes in vivid colors against a black background, resembling scenes from lacquered antique Russian music boxes. Both ladies looked their glowing best and effectively contrasted one another in their holiday attire. Ms. Battle was every inch the prima donna, her hair swept back and held in place by glittering diamond combs, her petite frame clad in a sumptuous costume of lustrous holly red satin with huge balloon sleeves and a train in back that could rival the old Super Chief! The svelte Ms. von Stade was festive in a sparkling slim column of emerald green, with shimmering oversized diamond earrings. The dapper appearance of the Messieurs Marsalis and Previn in the their formal attire suitably complemented them.

All worked so well as a whole that it's seems almost unnecessary to select individual highlights but here are a few anyway. A rollicking calypso number "Mary's Boy Child" with a snappy intro by the Wynton Marsalis Septet began the concert. An addition of a taste of opera by Misses Battle and Von Stade gave an amusing twist to "The Twelve Days of Christmas". The soaring "Alleluja" by Ms. Battle probably had it's composer Mozart applauding in heaven! Ms. Von Stade ably supported by The American Boy Choir brought a hushed tenderness to "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"; she was also delightful with "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music". There was an evergreen freshness brought to two modern Christmas classics, Ms. Battle's warm warbling of "The Christmas Song", and Ms. Von Stade finding the poignancy in "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." For jazz enthusiasts Mr. Marsalis and the Septet gave an interesting slant to the old favorites "Winter Wonderland" and "Joy to the World."

Two medleys of Christmas music were particularly memorable at the middle and finale of the evening. The first was an African-American/American Folk arrangement of songs beginning with "I Wonder as I Wander" and climaxing with the thrillingly triumphant "Go Tell It on the Mountain", including a sassy trumpet solo by Mr. Marsalis. The finale was classic European carols such as "I Saw Three Ships", "Deck the Halls" "The Holly and the Ivy" "O Holy Night" and at it's conclusion the jubilant "Angels We Have Heard on High". Misses Battle and Von Stade had several duets in which their voices blended beautifully in "Gesu Bambino" "Abendsegen", and "Maria Wiegenlied".

All in all, this was a Christmas concert to remember, and for those of us who weren't lucky enough to be in the audience, this is the next best thing, being able to witness the bliss and holiday spirit generated on that stage. The CD of this concert is a must as well. Try them both for a Christmas season that will be more merry and bright for their inclusion!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lifeless Sound, September 4, 2007

By 

John Whitehead "Codon" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert / Frederica von Stade, Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis (DVD)

Yes after waiting years for this treasure it finally arrived everything was great but what happened to the sound..Flate muddy DEAD I'm sure the CD was better but that was produced by SONY? I hope they can remarster this superb production