December, Piano Solos: 20th Anniversary Edition [ENHANCED] [EXTRA TRACKS]

George Winston

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 9, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Extra tracks
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B00005NNDO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,083 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #1 in	Music > Indie Music > Pop > Adult Contemporary
  #2 in	Music > Indie Music > New Age
  #3 in	Music > Indie Music > Jazz

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
December holds the distinction of single-handedly putting Windham Hill on the map and being the new age album most likely to find its way into music collections of all ilk. In spite of being relentlessly overplayed during the holidays, the solo piano recording has aged quite well. Winston shapes holiday war-horses and original compositions into a captivating contemporary statement. His spare, understated style captures the feel of the dark season, employing ample resonance to evoke a reflective spaciousness. The album's straightforward simplicity conveys both the celebration and quietude that characterize the best of the Yuletide spirit. --Richard Price

Amazon.com
A quintessential example of George Winston's "folk piano" style, December speaks to the spirit of the season. Mixing traditional carols, a couple of classical works, and his own originals, Winston drops notes with icy clarity into a winter silence, rippling through "Carol of Bells" and coaxing dark, introspective moods from his own suite, "Night." The pianist's liner notes are also a trip as he cites the numerous sources for his music. Who would've thought that the gentle melodies of "Peace" were inspired by the soundtrack to TV's The Outer Limits? This 20th anniversary edition, which includes two bonus tracks, is a vast sonic improvement over previous releases. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications, November 5, 2001

By	Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Even though "December" was recorded nineteen years ago, it is still by far my favorite George Winston album as well as an all-time favorite Christmas album. Recorded when "new age" music was barely emerging and Windham Hill was an experimental artists' label, this is one of a handful of albums that show just how good the music was when artists had more control of what went onto their albums. Art and innovation were more important than a quick buck, and "December" was able to be creative and original AND commercially successful. A true classic in the genres of new age music and holiday albums, this is a must-have CD. It includes Winston's arrangements of "Carol of the Bells", Pachelbel's "Canon in D", and "The Holly and The Ivy" as well as some lesser-known carols and several original pieces. This is an incredible album, and I give it my highest recommendation!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite holiday "mood" albums, October 2, 2002

By	Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

I have a hard time grasping that this album is 20 years old. But because these solo piano arrangements are classic holiday pieces, it never seems to age. In fact, I've had this for years, and I wore out a cassette tape of this before I replaced it with a CD.

The music is George Winston's solo piano arrangements of folk Christmas carols like "Greensleeves" and "The Holly and the Ivy", plus some classical tunes "Pachelbel's Canon" and his own compositions. My particular favorite is the usually-boring "Carol of the Bells," which is arranged wonderfully here.

If you like solo, modern piano and you like Christmas music, you might like this album as much as I do. I even play it when it's not Christmastime.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DECEMBER - always beautiful, now even better!!, October 24, 2001

By	"wijic" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

I'll admit I'm biased - I love all of George's CDs. But I have to say that for overall listening, December flows the best. The classics are all still here - Carol of the Bells, the Kanon, and my favorite, the Holly and the Ivy.

But the bonus tracks are interesting. A Christmas Song is simple and short. Sleep Baby Mine by Alfred Burt (who also composed Some Children See Him) is a very lovely song and fits in with the rest of the CD perfectly.

What I bought the CD for, however, was the sheet music. It's about time!! Just glancing over it, George's version of the Kanon looks complicated, but not impossible. Probably intermediate to advanced.

If you want to start listening to George Winston, start with this CD! Then try Plains.