Christmas with Thomas Hampson

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

Product Details

• Performer: Thomas Hampson
• Orchestra: Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
• Conductor: Hugh Wolff
• Composer: Adolphe Adam, Irving Berlin, Leonhard Von Call, Katherine K. Davis, 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.com Sales Rank: #140,058 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #13 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( H ) > Hampson, Thomas
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 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

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.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars wonderful voice, December 6, 2000

By	Hanno Kreft (Dortmund Germany) - See all my reviews

The voice of Thomas Hampson is really wonderful, it is warm and light and clear. This cd is a good mixture of christmas song, but the interpretation of the german songs are not in the right tempo, especially the "O du fröhliche", it has to be the half of the tempo. "Tochter Zion" and "Macht hoch die Tür" is aswell to fast. The musical interpretation is brilliant.

4 of 6 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

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.