Customer Reviews

December, Piano Solos: 20th Anniversary Edition

5 star:		(91)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

"December" is a new-age classic and a justifiably long-running best-seller, especially at Christmas time. This anniversary edition, though, has no real reason to be : no remastering (although the sound quality has always been quite excellent) and two bonus tracks that, while fine, can seem a bit jarring following the former last track of a familiar and perfect album. The liner notes (new, by Winston himself) are worthy, but all in all this deluxe edition is no particular improvement and a purchase you can pass on if you already own the original CD.

I first heard December when I was a teenager in the early eighties, after my older brother bought the CD. The next time I heard it was almost a decade later, just after I was divorced. It was mid-December and I didn't have my kids with me for the first time in years, and I think I felt a little lost. I found the CD and listened to it... and later, what amazed me the most was thinking that the world was a different place after I had listened to it, because of it.

A few other random comments... I still think his version of Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is the single-most beautiful piece of piano music I've ever heard, no matter how much I may think of Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Debussy... If you play the piano and you like George Winston, get the CD for the sheet music alone (his arrangement of Pachelbel's Canon in D). Like the sheets for "Longing/Love" from the 20th anniversary "Autumn" CD, the arrangement is very good (but not perfect).... I'm just glad this music exists. The world is a better place for having this music in it.

George Winston brought New Age music in to the American culture. It's just hard to believe that this recording that skyrocketed his career is 20 years old! Most of us will remember the first time we heard George's Carol Of The Bells! It was awesome! It is still here! Along with other classics Thanksgiving, Joy, Some Children See Him and The Holly And The Ivy. Night is divided into 3 separate tracks this time around. The sound quality is a little more somber than the original. Added for bonus tracks are A Christmas Song and Sleep Baby Mine. What's missing is Christmas Time Is Here, Skating, Greensleeves and The Christmas Song. I guess we'll have to wait another 20 years!
There is a difference here is the packaging. The original packaging with the plastic jewel case is my preference, since it wears better through time. It also supposed to include sheet music.

I absolutely LOVE this CD. Every Christmas at least one of my friends or family members receives a copy as a present. It's wonderful to listen to with headphones, in the car, or as background music at your holiday gathering.

According to the reviews, this CD has received all 5 star ratings except for one 4 star. You can't argue with the masses!!!

Oh, Wow!
This is a cd that will be liked by all who enjoy George Winston, Mehdi, Danny Wright, Keiko Matsui, or even David lanz. It is the very essence of good new age. So tranquil, yet so spirited, this cd is a refreshing break from my well-worn collection, I just keep wanting to listen to it over and over again. I am amazed!
It reminds me somewhat of Kevin Kern, but still very unique. This is music to the soul. Absolutely relaxing, as well.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: Mehdi ~ Instrumental Heaven Volume 7 ..Truly a Gem...Samples are at SoothingMusic,Com...Just Listen.

Put on this CD.... stoke up the fire.... get your cup of tea.... turn down the lights....close your eyes.

The sound of a solo piano is just so intimate. George Winston can take you on a relaxing ride through a starry night over the snow, all bundled up and warm. The music evokes a sense of peace and soothing pleasure. It's so simple, and so perfectly melodic and in tune. This is a "Christmas" album that you can play all year round, whenever you need to relax, clear your mind and unwind.

I'm not sure why it's labeled "New Age" music, other than being acoustical tunes. But whatever the label, Windham Hill found a gem in George Winston, and this is one of his best CDs. Buy this one first, then try his other "season" CDs. You won't regret it.

When I was about seven years old, we lived in the Bay Area and my dad took the family for a walk to see the then-famous Macy's Christmas window displays in San Francisco. The music that was piped out through tinny speakers to accompany those displays so captivated my parents that they went inside to ask the store staff what it was. As it turned out, George Winston's December had just come out that year and the display manager was a rather brilliant person... This album quickly became such an integral part of my family's Christmas traditions that simply listening to even a few notes of "Minstrels" can physically evoke the smell of the Christmas tree for me.