Christmas with Thomas Hampson

Thomas Hampson (Performer), George Frederick Handel (Composer), Carl Thiel (Composer), Adolphe Adam (Composer), Christmas Traditional (Composer), Johannes Daniel Falk (Composer), Katherine K. Davis (Composer), Leonhard Von Call (Composer), Thomas Pasatieri (Composer), Hugh / Blane, Ralph Martin (Composer), Irving Berlin (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Michael Praetorius (Composer), Franz Xaver Gruber (Composer), Hugh Wolff (Conductor), Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Thomas Hampson
• Orchestra: Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
• Conductor: Hugh Wolff
• Composer: George Frederick Handel, Carl Thiel, Adolphe Adam, Christmas Traditional, Johannes Daniel Falk, et al.
• Audio CD (November 1, 1991)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Teldec
• ASIN: B000000SEF
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,673 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Joy to the World

2. Adeste Fideles

3. O Holy Night - A. Adam

4. In dulci jubilo

5. O du frohliche

6. Tochter Zion

7. Macht hoch dir Tur

8. Ding Dong! Merrily on High

9. The Litlle Drummer Boy

10. I Wonder as I Wander

11. O Tannenbaum

12. Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann

13. Still, weil's Kindlein schlafen will

14. Alleluia

15. Have Yourseld a Merry Little Christmas

16. White Christmas - I. Berlin

17. Go Tell it on the Mountain - Traditional

18. The First Noel - Traditional

19. Ave Maria

20. Es ist ein Ros' entsprugen - Michael Praetorius

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Operatic Christmas, December 17, 2000

By 

"danielinyaracuy" (San Felipe, Yaracuy Venezuela) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas with Thomas Hampson (Audio CD)

Once in a while we come across a Christmas recording that is out of the usual silly lot to which we are subjected this season. No elevator music here. Actually Thomas Hampson interpretation is probably too much to stomach for those that just want the "feel good and be merry" holiday music. The artistry of Hampson shines, and the Hugh Wolff musical direction is flawless. Their combination brings the greatness of some of our oldest Christmas music reminding us that the inspiration is in faith, in love, in the hope of new beginnings. It is to their honor that they allow us a new look on things that we just took for granted. Be it an almost heart breaking "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" when we suddenly think about those that will never be with us anymore; be it the awesome "Macht hoch die Tur" where even the agnostic in me recalls the days of faith and the meaning of Christmas; or be it the winsome rendering of "In dulci jubilo" that links us with the spirit of Christmas through ages, a tribute to the never ending freshness of this holiday. If there is one Christmas record that one can listen during the rest of the year, this is it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas songs the way they should be sung., December 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Christmas with Thomas Hampson (Audio CD)

Wow! This guy is terrific. All the other singers seem to have their own reinterpretations of the Christmas songs. That's OK too, but he sings them straight and with energy and style. You would not believe how many recordings of "O Holy Night" I listened to before I found this one. Joy, joy, joy.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful voice. Beautiful renditions..., October 28, 2001

By 

Rachel Howard (ocklawaha, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas with Thomas Hampson (Audio CD)

Thomas Hampson has a wonderful lyric baritone voice and I love the music, so why only four stars? Most of the pieces are a little laid back for my taste. (Maybe the fact that I'm a Mario Lanza fan explains that.) Exceptions are Alleluia, O Holy Night, and Ding Dong Merrily On High. The orchestra plays with wit and taste, which is almost a given when they are conducted by Hugh Wolf. If you love Christmas music sung by a lower male voice, then this album is a must. Does anyone know if Erich Kunz's marvelous carols album is available yet on CD? For anyone who likes Thomas Hampson, Erich Kunz should be tried. His voice is similar to Hampson's voice and his affection for the music shines through. Hampson's vocals are clean and well-focused. This, as one reviewer said, is music for other seasons too.