A Christmas Festival: Favorite Christmas Carols

Andre Kostelanetz (Conductor), New York Brass & Percussion Ensemble (Orchestra), E. Power Biggs (Performer), Gregg Smith Singers (Performer), Texas Boys Choir (Performer), Phyllis Curtin (Performer), St. Kilian Boy Choir (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: E. Power Biggs, Gregg Smith Singers, Texas Boys Choir, Phyllis Curtin, St. Kilian Boy Choir
• Orchestra: New York Brass & Percussion Ensemble
• Conductor: Andre Kostelanetz
• Audio CD (October 26, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Classical
• ASIN: B000028U0Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,654 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #26 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Pop Instrumental & Easy Listening

Track Listings

1. Patapan

2. We Three Kings of Orient Are

3. What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)

4. Nowell Sing We (English)

5. Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming), for chorus

6. The Holly and the Ivy (English)

7. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste fidelis)

8. Joy to the World (theme by Handel)

9. Lullay my liking, for soprano & chorus, Op. 34/2, H. 129

10. Good King Wenceslas (Piae Cantiones, 1582)

11. Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night)

12. God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (English)

13. Welcome Here

14. Merry Christmas

15. Dame Get Up and Bake Your Pies (English), carol

16. Christmas is coming

17. Angels We Have Heard on High

18. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (English)

19. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste fidelis)

20. The First Nowell (English)

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This disc recycles two different but complementary LP recordings, the first being a 1968 outing with the Gregg Smith Singers, the New York Brass and Percussion Ensemble, and organist E. Power Biggs, the second being a 1965 recording with André Kostelanetz and his Orchestra. Though the repertoire for both is fairly traditional carols, they make for strange listening now. The Gregg Smith Singers selections are often straightforward, except when Biggs's gimmicky organ intervenes with all sorts of effects that are deployed with the artistry of Fourth of July fireworks. Did we ever mistake Biggs for a musician? Kostelanetz's ultra-busy orchestrations are almost comically souped up with cushy strings, ringing brass, and more harps than you'd ever want to hear. One saving grace is the underrecorded soprano Phyllis Curtin, who sings a lovely version of "O Holy Night." Also on hand is the St. Kilian Boy Choir, which has an unusually robust sound. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bright & Joyous Christmas Concert !, May 20, 2000

By 

Richard B Snyder (Kent, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Christmas Festival: Favorite Christmas Carols (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful Christmas anthology, with legendary performers, a bright little pipe organ, and a sparkling small brass ensemble. In many other Christmas albums, huge choirs and orchestras overwhelm the listener; here the 2 small choirs & their accompaniment are in perfect balance. With excellent clarity and timing, the songs are crisp and delightful! They bring back the joy & idealism of Christmas that I loved as a child.

The second half of the CD features a small orchestra, a delightful children's choir, & a wonderful soprano, again all in perfect balance and sharpness. The bright arrangements and clear performances make this a memorable Christmas recording!