Customer Reviews

Christmas Eve

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own over 150 Christmas CD's, and this one is the best by far. It's always the first one I pull out to get me in the Christmas spirit. Like Mozart, David doesn't waste a single note. Every song is beautifully arranged, with just enough variations to keep it interesting, yet familiar. There's some real magic in these songs. I prefer to listen to it while I'm alone, but it also works great as background music for a holiday party. If you like piano music, you'll love this CD. It doesn't get any better than this.

David Lanz designed this album to be an antidote to the rush, commercialism, and madness that the holiday season can bring. As most of Lanz's solo piano recordings are, this album is introspective and calming, and, with a couple of exceptions, most of the arrangements are rather somber. "Joy to the World" is a very big exception, as this is just about the most joyful version I've ever heard or played. (The companion songbook is the most popular Christmas book I use with my more advanced students, and this and several of the other songs are always played in my students' Christmas recital!) "The First Noel / Christmas Eve Waltz" is a delight. The waltz is a Lanz original, and it weaves in and out of "The First Noel" seamlessly with a warm, cozy feel. "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is my favorite piece on this album. Dark and mysterious, the piece is at once ancient and very contemporary. Lanz's arrangements of "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" are also exceptional. I'm not crazy about the "angel" improvisations between most of the songs, although "Angel of Hope" is lovely. I was surprised to find that "O Holy Night", to me the most passionate of all the Christmas carols, was presented in such a cool and distant manner. I was also disappointed in "What Child Is This" for the same reason.

I have to say that since I teach Christmas music from the end of October until the end of December, I am very picky about the Christmas music I listen to. The outstanding arrangements I mentioned make this CD worth buying. It is quiet and introspective for the most part, and Lanz succeeded well in his goal of creating an album of tranquil Christmas music. A few of the pieces are just a bit too tranquil for my ears.

I admit it: I'm a huge fan of David Lanz. I love almost everything he's ever recorded. I also love listening to Chritmas music. It's about the only way I can get in the right mood for the season anymore. Lanz has a way of taking songs that have become very familiar, and changing them, ever so slightly, until they are fresh and new again. My first taste of his music was on the original Narada Christmas Sampler. He did a version of "O Holy Night" with Paul Speer, that is a highlight of that CD. The version of that song that he does on this CD is even more beautiful, because it is just David, sans accompanyment, at his home, with his piano. One year, as a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law, I gave her a tape that included songs from this CD, along with many other Christmas songs. She is a very traditional woman, and I was worried that she wouldn't like the tape, because there weren't any of the usual renditions of Christmas songs that she had grown up with. She listens to the tape year-round. It helps calm her and lets her sleep more peacefully. This is truly music for anybody who appreciates beauty.

This fine recording of ethereal solo piano interpretations of traditional Christmas carols, along with a few originals by Lanz, falls right in the tradition of the classic and trendsetting recording, "December," by George Winston.

These two titles, along with Vince Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" and "A Dave Brubeck Christmas" (both a bit more jazz flavored) are among my all-time favorite piano recordings for the holiday season.

While they all serve nicely as background music in the workplace or at home, they deserve serious listening, and contemplation, in their own right.

With all the different artists who feel a need to cash in on the holiday season, it's nice to find a gem like this that still treats the music, as well as the season of Christmas, with respect.

This cd has really been a joy to listen to. I puts special emphasis on our most holy songs for the season. This cd is a must for solo piano fans. It is perhaps one of the better Christmas cds around.

David did a marvelous job with this cd. He knew when to play and when to pause the song. His feel for these songs was real genuine and heartfelt. I feel like David really knows about the meaning of Christmas and the need to perform these songs in a special way.

The only thing I didn't like about this cd was the original music that David used. I have never been a fan of comtempory music and this cd is no exception.

Recommendation: I would like to recommend this cd. It really fits the spirit of Christmas.

From the first 30 seconds of the first track, one quickly discovers the magic and expressiveness of the piano. As the first song builds to a majestic peak and concludes with a child like simplicity, one knows that this is no ordinary Christmas CD. David has reached into the depths of his soul and has created his finest meditative material for solo piano to date. These songs are not simply remakes of tired tunes. David has given each song a fresh interpretation without abstracting the melody. These new, free flowing versions draw on a higher power and touches the very soul of the listener. The CD contains eight original pieces ranging from the 41 second "A Brush of Wings" to the "First Noel/Christmas Eve Waltz" medley of 4:42. The seven "Angel Songs" act as introductions to and bridges between the songs. Every song is five stars; however, three of my personal favorites for structure, interpretation and musical artistry are "Joy to the World", "What Child is This" and "Silent Night" which moves me to tears. Every song captures the romance, magic and spiritual majesty of the Holiday season. "Christmas Eve" should be the new standard by which all other Christmas albums are measured.

Not everything David has recorded all across his career is the best he could do. During the last years I thought his best compositions were the improvvisations on "Return to the heart", and his edge "Sounds from the Koepel". Now, eventually, I have found something like that, just the notes of his piano, that needs nothing more. I hope he will continue in this way, because this sound and this feeling in playing is what his talent needs.

I was listening to Pandora when a song from this CD came up. As soon as the song started playing I knew I wanted this CD. I clicked on the purchase buttons provided by Pandora and it sent me to Amazon to buy this CD. I was not dissapointed. If you love classical music and Christmas music...this CD is a must.

I love this Christmas Album from David Lanz. It is so soothing and enjoyable. So glad I got it.

David Lanz is a more emotional in Chritmas Eve than in Painting the Sun. This album makes good background music while enjoying conversation with your friends.