Customer Reviews

The Christmas Collection

5 star:		(198)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

This is absolutely the most beautiful Christmas music I have ever heard. Especially outstanding is Panis Angelicus, The Lord's Prayer and Ave Maria. But even White Christmas, which I have never particularly liked, is given a new and beautiful treatment.

Their voices range from soft and tender to a soaring cresendo,on all the songs. And I agree with Mr. Preiser, Carlos' voice is magnificant and provides the foundation for this wonderful, glorious music.

I highly recommend this album.

Let me begin by saying that I am a huge Il Divo fan; I have listened to practically nothing else since buying their debut album a few months ago.

But to sum up my feelings about the Christmas Collection CD, it's almost as if the album was hastily put together just to get a Christmas Album out there for commercial purposes. Although Il Divo is still Il Divo and the voices are just as awesome, there are several things that made this much-aniticipated cd fall short of my expectations;

The orchestrations are not as lush nor do they complement or enhance the vocals nearly as much as in the debut album; it sounds as if the same amount of time and effort was not put into the production of this CD as the first. Nor are the arrangements as involving or emotional. (I remember welling up with tears the first time I heard "Passera;" nothing on this CD comes even close to that). The individual songs are too short, and do not have time to build to the magnificent crescendos that we have come to expect in Il Divo's arrangements.

The thing that really puzzles me about this album is that only half or so of the songs are actually Christmas Music. I'm wondering if they recorded a few Christmas songs, then threw in several other songs that they had already recorded as fillers? While "Over the Rainbow," "The Lords Prayer" and "Ave Maria" are beautiful songs -- and the latter two sacred music -- they don't belong on a Chistmas album. And "Rejoice" -- although gorgeous song -- was a let-down; I was expecting maybe Handel's "Rejoice" from the "Messiah." Instead it is a seemingly secular love song having nothing to do with the birth of Christ.

The non-Christmas songs notwithstanding, some of the song choices overall could have been better suited to the incredible voices of Il Divo. "White Christmas" and "Silent Night" are an obvious attempt at commercial appeal. The producers could have taken a cue from Contemporary Christian singer Sandi Patty's song choices to see what type of songs should be included on a Christmas Album by someone with a powerful, soaring voice.

On the positive side, the voices of Il Divo are still impressive. I find myself even more impressed this go around with Sebastien's clear, pure tones; he shines in his solo parts and has gotten better if anything -- and his slightly French-accented English is charming. Carlos and David are nothing short of magnificent as usual. Urs sounds a bit thin (especially on the opening lines of of "Ave Maria," "Over The Rainbow" and "O Holy Night"), but -- that's just Urs. Although his voice has its own unique qualities.

In conclusion, I would give five full stars to the artists themselves, "Il Divo" again blows us away with their vocal abilities, blending into a one-of-a-kind sound. But the album production would get two or three stars for song choice, orchestrations, and arrangements. That's why I've rated the album an overall 4.

Il Divo Have Released One Of The Most Beautiful,Powerful & Moving Christmas Cds Ever Recorded!!! The Arrangements Both Musically & Vocally Are Gorgeous, Sweeping & Grand!!! Their Version Of "The Lord's Prayer" Is Spine Tingling, And Although All Four Members Have Fabulous Voices I Find Carlos Adds The "Chills" Factor For Me!!! This Cd Is Christmas Music The Way It Should Be Done....GLORIOUS!!!!!

if you love il divo and their last two cd's, you will love this cd. they sing with their heart and soul. playing the christmas cd in august my neighbours thought i was crazy but you can play il divo, anytime,any place, any where.

ILDivo is just wonderful! We first saw them last Fourth of July, on T.V., in Washington, D.C. We knew then that we would buy their D.V.D.'s, and we have. They have become our favorite quartet. Also, we have recommended them to several friends. Family members have them also and enjoy them as we do.

I am typically NOT a fan of christmas music because it all sounds the same but after seeing them on oprah I ran out to get the c.d. and it brought tears to my eyes it is so beautiful. My favorite is OH HOLY NIGHT. If heaven has music, surely this is what it must sound like.

Il DIVO are three handsome terors and one handsome Baritone. Their voices are perfect and every song is a winner. except Somewhere Over The Rainbow which maybe be a Christmas song in the UK but certainly not here where it as released. Ave Maria, Oh Holy Night, Panis Angelicus and The Lords Prayer simply the best I ever heard!

I too am an avid Il Divo fan and was one of many sitting by their computer waiting for the NA concert tickets to go on sale last week. However, I find myself only able to offer a tepid endorsement of this recording. I agree wholeheartedly with the reviewer who felt the recording was not well produced. Yes, Carlos' vocals are stirring. But the orchestra and harmonies are simply not there to back him up. Yes the guys sound great (with the exception of the opening line of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" which is one of the weakest opening lines I have ever heard). But the arragements do not build and seem at times even to be disjointed. They lack the creativity and brilliance of the first 5 songs on their debut release, which I never tire of hearing and which are truly remarkable. Yes, the songs are well done. But with so many classic Christmas songs from which to choose why "Rejoice" "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "The Lord's Prayer"? They don't seem to fit the seasonal theme. Selections from "Messiah", "Gesu Bambino", "Joy to the World", and even the contemporary "Jesus, Born On This Day" (per Mariah Carey), to name but a few, would have been well suited for the style of the album and the artists. My first reaction was the same as a few of the reviewers. It seemed like a recording that was kind of thrown together to get something out there for the holidays. Indeed, it was barely even mentioned on the website till about the time of its release. It is a pity because I think with a little more engineering, planning and ceativity this recording could have really been something. Any Il Divo fan should get it. But everytime I hear it, I think of what might have been.

What a wonderful breath of fresh air these young men are!!! Do you remember the wonderful Firestone Christmas albums from the 1960s with Julie Andrews and so many other great voices? That kind of vocal quality still exists, and it's waiting for you on this beautiful CD.

There has been some question/objection raised regarding "Ave Maria," "The Lord's Prayer" and "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" being present on this album. Both "Ave Maria" and "Panis Angelicus" are good year around, it is true, but you will find both on Christmas compilations going back to the Firestone albums and even earlier. Also, Barbara Streisand's first Christmas album featured both "Ave Maria" and "The Lord's Prayer." I will admit that "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" puzzled me until I learned that "The Wizard of Oz" is a special Christmas movie in the UK, just as "It's A Wonderful Life" is here. Consequently, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is associated with Christmas in Great Britain, where Il Divo is based, and the song was included for that reason. And anyway, it is so beautifully done that you won't care at all. Play it to your children for a lullaby on Christmas Eve.

My personal favorite is "O Come All Ye Faithful." The a cappella passage in the first verse is absolutely gorgeous. But then so is "O Holy Night," "Ave Maria" and the new song, "Rejoice," which talks of finding your lost faith. If all the hype and bad music have left you feeling like Christmas has become an annual retail festival, then repair your soul with this amazing album. "Come and rejoice...what was lost is found."

Il Divo - The Christmas Collection is magnificent! Every single track is an absolute delight to listen to. 'The Lord's Prayer' will send tingles down your spine. These four boys, both individually in their solo parts and together as a group, are a force to be reckoned with. Excellent compilation! I loved it!!