The Many Moods of Christmas (1963 RCA Victor Version) Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra

Robert Shaw Chorale (Artist), Robert Shaw (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 17, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003G9R
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,972 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: SHAW,ROBERT CHORALE
Title: MANY MOODS OF CHRISTMAS
Street Release Date: 10/14/1997
Domestic
Genre: XMAS CLASSICAL VOCAL

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent foundation for any Christmas collection, December 10, 2000

By 

Paul Martin (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Many Moods of Christmas (1963 RCA Victor Version) Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra (Audio CD)

This is a classic recording that makes a lot of short lists of best Christmas music recordings. This album features the arrangements of Robert Russel Bennet from the early 60's, originally recorded by the Robert Shaw Chorale. This recording, recorded some twenty years later, is performed again by Robert Shaw, but with the Atlanta Symphony and Chorus.

As I listen to this music, I can't help thinking what this music must have sounded like in live performance. It is an impressive sound, even if I am accustomed to hearing these carols in a somewhat more intimate setting. I don't have to describe the quality of the chorus; it is after all Shaw's chorus, and he is the master of his element here. This is orchestral choral singing at its best, and we could expect nothing less than this from Shaw.

The musical selections include many pieces which never make it into the musak of the mall, which is always a treat. In addition to the familiar classics, we have Patapan, Fum Fum Fum, Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, and a Bach chorale (Break Forth, O Beauteous Light). These pieces will be familiar to anyone versed in the Fred Waring / Robert Shaw tradition, but they will be a welcome discovery to others. The arrangements are both choral and instrumental, with no solo voices.

Personally, I prefer a smaller choral group for this music, but that is a matter of personal preference, and I can hardly hold it against this recording. This is a classic recording, one which would provide a good foundation for any collection.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After 40 Years, Still the Best Christmas Recording Available, December 20, 2002

By 

A. Wolverton (Crofton, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Many Moods of Christmas (1963 RCA Victor Version) Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra (Audio CD)

This reissue of the classic 1963 recording stands the test of time for two reasons: Robert Shaw's incredible Chorale Singers and the masterful arrangements by Robert Russell Bennett. Nearly 40 years have passed, yet these arrangements still pack a wallop.

Few of today's Christmas recordings even come close to the vibrant, joyful, playful and powerful scores of Bennett. Be sure to purchase this version and not the lackluster re-recording that was made in 1983.

Total time: 47:18

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The original performance, (vinyl LP), vice the CD redo., December 8, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Bremerton WA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Many Moods of Christmas (1963 RCA Victor Version) Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra (Audio CD)

I purchased the original performance of this album conducted by the arranger, "Robert Russel Bennet", (Victory at Sea, Arr.), with the RCA Symphony Orchestra and the Robert Shaw Chorale. I was so impressed by the spirit and power of the rendition that I purchase seven more albums to distribute to friends and family that holiday season. I still have the original vinyl, now taped many times, but alas, the LP has reached a senescence commensurate with it's 30 plus years. The remake by R.Shaw on CD, now conducting the Atlanta Symphony along with his esteemed Chorale, is a faithful technical duplication of R.R. Bennet's original arrangements, but the inspirational exuberance of the first flowering is absent from the Atlanta offering, even the organ is a bit insipid. This remastering of the original glorious performance should rate among the top few renderings of traditional yuletide music and should be offered every future midwinter festival to delight the ear of Christian, Jew, Moslem, Buddhist, Agnostic and/or atheist alike. Great music is truly universal and this should be a top seller for a long, long time.

V.C. Heath, USN, Ret.