Christmastime in Vienna

Placido Domingo (Artist), Kaas (Artist), Fernandez (Artist), Mercurio (Artist), Katherine K. Davis (Artist), Richard Storrs Willis (Artist), Ann Wilson (Artist), Vasily Solov'yov-Sedoy (Artist), Irving Berlin (Artist), Miguel Bernal Jimenez (Artist), Johann Abraham P. Schulz (Artist), Franz Xaver Gruber (Artist), Hugh Martin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00001P4S2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,120 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

All the supertenors have their indulgences. Luciano Pavarotti has charity concerts in which he sings with Sting, José Carreras makes disc after disc of soppy love songs, and Placido Domingo can't stop making Christmas recordings--usually in Vienna. This one features a particularly odd assortment of guest stars: Mexican pop star Alejandro Fernández lends his pleasingly mellifluous voice to songs such as "Blanca Navidad" and "El nino del tambor," but those not already in love with French star Patricia Kaas may be baffled, even repelled. The French love to mix pop genres in ways that sound illogical to American ears, and she proves no exception, delivering pale imitations of Ethel Merman grace notes and Aretha Franklin phrasing with no sense of artistry, expression, or musical point of view. Domingo maintains his integrity throughout, even though this whole enterprise sounds hastily arranged, with some bad tuning in the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen (that's a choir, in case you couldn't guess). --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 24/365 !, September 13, 2000

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christmastime in Vienna (Audio CD)

I don't usually care for Christmas albums, finding them rather bland...but this CD is extraordinary ! Any time, any day, it will lift your spirit. There are moments of such artistry your heart will be filled with joy. With this CD, it can be Christmas every day of the year.

The reason for buying it was Alejandro Fernández, and all of his songs are exquisite, but so is the rest of it, starting with the great Plácido Domingo's "Y Nos Vamos a Belén", and Patricia Kaas' unique style and voice complete this terrific vocal ensemble. Listen to them sing the "Silent Night" finale...it's utterly awesome !

My favorite tracks are Alejandro's fabulous rendition of "Blanca Navidad" ("White Christmas"), and his duet with Kaas on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Sung in English, it's a total knockout ! This CD deserves 5 stars just for this 2 minutes and 48 seconds alone. It's sheer perfection. What I wouldn't give to have the video of this incredible concert !

...and thank you Alejandro, for bringing so much glorious beauty into my life with your music !

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Million Stars For Alejandro Fernandez!!, June 16, 2003

By 

David A. Preiser "Mannequin Man" (Tacoma, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christmastime in Vienna (Audio CD)

This Cd Features Two Of My Favorite Singers...Alejandro Fernandez & Patricia Kaas!! Both Share Their Beautiful Voices And Sing Wonderful Songs, Yet, It Is Alejandro Who's Voice Is Stunning & Magical Singing These Christmas Songs!! His Versions Of "White Christmas" & "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" Are SOOO Beyond Words!! Alejandro Please Record A Christmas Cd!! Your Fans Are Waiting!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Get this one...it's great!, January 11, 2000

By 

Clay R. Madden (Washington State, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmastime in Vienna (Audio CD)

The range of musical styles and cultures from which these classic songs originate are great. One of Kaas's styles was a bit of a surprise. Domingo put tears in my eyes on several occasions. The orchestra was really great...dynamic and precise. The careful enunciation of words by these professionals made the words in all languages understandable. The live audience recording let you share your emotions.