Customer Reviews

Classic Christmas Carols

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an impressive collection of well-known carols along with some that are likely unfamiliar to many people. All the better, as it exposes the listener to a great variety of beautiful Christmas music. Unlike the O Come All Ye Faithful cd, this sounds as if it was recorded in the church and not a sound studio. Some will like that, others might not. The arrangements are wonderful, different from what I'm used to in many of the carols. A terrific recording and needed by any devotee of this wonderful choir.

King's College Choir, most famously under the direction of Sir David Willcocks, has performed and recorded a large body of Christmas carol work arranged for a cappella, orchestral, organ and resounding Brass Choir accompaniments. "Classic Christmas Carols" provides a generous sampling of over 50 pieces, some of which appear on other CD compilations. This collection contains consistently inspired arrangements, outstanding soloists, well organized and disciplined choral singing, supreme moments of thunderous organ and brass alongside breathtaking moments of quiet. It is a classic, and if your holiday music collection does not contain any works from King's College Choir, you would do well to include this as your first. All were recorded in the Chapel of King's College in Cambridge, providing a less studio-perfect sound with more resonance and "human-ness" due to a more "live" setting. For me, it provides a refreshing alternative to a studio recorded or digitally compiled and mixed collection.

Most pieces hang together quite well, although there are a few problematic variable volume registrations from piece to piece, requiring one to be close to the volume button to make adjustments. This is not as problematic as some other compilations, and not so frequent to be overly bothersome. If you are in your car, it is simple to occasionally make an adjustment; however, in your home, you or a guest would need to be nearby to ensure enjoyment of the whole collection. While this collection does indeed contain some of the best of the best of King's College Choir recordings, and is among my favorites, the lack of a full final-edit causes me to rate it 4 stars.

This is, basically what it says, classic Christmas music done by a good choir and a wonderful organist.

The sound is great, the choir is dead on, and the music is beautiful and traditional.....no surprises here.....good or bad. Plus, it's eight bucks for essentially what is a two disc set.....fifty three songs.

If you are looking for a nice traditional Christmas album, you could do a whole lot worse.

For those searching for the most authentic sound in carols of the season, this collection of songs and works from the many albums Kings College Cambridge has created over the past years is undoubtedly the most authentically British collection to be found. There are 50 carols for the choir alone and for the choir (men and boys) with organ and brass. The selection includes well known carols and, thankfully, some less well known carols both old and new.

In addition to the selections heard here there is the ambience of the works recorded in the Chapel, a glorious hall with mystical acoustics that make the introits seem to be in sonic 3D! Two CDs allow the 50 carols the space to ring uncrowded on anyone's sound system. And, quite unbelievably the price is a mere $10.00! Give yourself the meaning of the season by adding CLASSIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS to your own home- and car... Grady Harp, December 11

Bought this CD for Christmas this year, as we were having a British-themed meal. There are TONS of songs on these cds... both classics and some we had never heard. It's very ethereal and I know we'll listen to it each year during the holidays.

The Classic Christmas Carol CD by Kings College Choir is a double CD featuring all of the Christmas carols you've ever wanted to hear. There are also carols that are lesser known and a joy to listen to. Kings College Choir is an exceptional choir and each carol is beautifully sung.

If you love traditional Christmas classic music, this is the album for you. You cannot never go wrong with King's College Choir for classical Christmas music.