Customer Reviews

The Glorious Sound of Christmas

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was my first long playing record purchase back in the 60's. For my money, this is the gold standard for Christmas music. I played this every year until that thing was grooved and scratchy. I'm getting a CD for me and another for a friend that thought it was the best Christmas music they had ever heard.

What makes this album work are the arrangements of the Christmas classics. They run the range from quiet and still, to a sound as big as all outdoors. The choir is very good and Ormandy brings out that famous Philadelphia "satin sound." Some are fun, some are somber and reverent, many bring tears to the eyes.

Buy this CD just for the version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" alone. There is a horse galloping in the background while the strings sing and soar. That sounds absurd, but I assure you, it works for a high-voltage proformance.

The "Glorious Sound" is well named. It just would not be Christmas at my house without it.

I remember reading that THE GLORIOUS SOUND OF CHRISTMAS with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra was one of the best selling, if not the best selling classical album of all time. If this is true, it is easy to understand why. The arrangements on this album of classic Christmas carols are handled with pomp and dignity by this world class orchestra. The Temple University Choir joins the orchestra for some pieces. The album has beautiful renditions of many great carols. Some of the best include the arrangement of Ave Maria, O Sanctissima, and O Holy Night. The familiar sounds of this album have been favorites of many people for years now, and will certainly be loved in the years to come.

This recording is the standard by which all other Christmas albums should be judged. Maestro Ormandy -- quiet, stately, wonderful Ormandy -- masterfully leads the Philadelphia Orchestra to produce a rich collection of standards that conveys all that is sacred, traditional, and grand about the Christmas season.

My one enduring memory of this album as a child is that it sounded big. And it still does. My adult observation, then, is this: "Glorious Sound of Christmas" is appropos of the gravity and true meaning of Christmas. Ormandy must have known this when he began the project.

From the broad expanse of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" to the somber strains of "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel," this CD is an emotional roller coaster for the listener. Its highlight, "Ave Maria," is quite simply the most beautiful rendition of this classic ever recorded.

It is difficult to overstate the case for this album. No collection of holiday music is really complete without "Glorious Sound of Christmas." That is has provided the soundtrack for Christmas in countless homes for nearly forty years is a testament to its enduring quality.

The title of this CD says it well: the sound is a glorious, magnificent celebration of some of the best-loved Christmas classics. Each song gets its own unique arrangement that brings out the richness of the composition, and features the considerable range and creativity of the Philadelphia Orchestra. This album has been around since the sixties, and is still selling. It is very well produced, giving a full orchestral sound with great depth. If you want some Christmas music with some serious inspirational sound, you won't be disappointed with this CD.

As with other, I grew up with this album. It spoiled me for what Christmas music ought to sound like. [...] Unbelievable value for Christmas music that isn't cute, smaltzy, over produced junk. Just G L O R I O U S sounding music, wonderful arrangements and inspirational Christmas music.

This is arguably the finest collection of Christmas music ever put on record or disc. The orchestrations are pure Philadelphia (warm and lush), and the Temple University Choir's finesse is every bit the equal of Mormon Tabernacle recordings. Perhaps it's the magnificant collaboration of the Fabulous Philadelphians and Temple University's choir - the result is simply inspirational. For the past generation, this is the benchmark against which all orchestral/choral Christmas recordings are measured.

Since I first heard this CD (then in record form) in the 60's, I have loved it. Now, Christmas isn't Christmas in my house until we play "The Glorious Sound..." It sounds like what Christmas means!

I have enjoyed this recording since it first came out on LP in the early 1960's. Our family played it every year, and always on Christmas morning when we got up to open presents. I did without it for years because our LP was so worn and scratched, so I was delighted when it was reissued on CD. You will love this recording!!!

This is a sensational recording made in the early 1960s. My question has been about its sequel, "A Christmas Tree": Where is it? Sony/Columbia need to remaster it and release it. Arthur Harris did the incredible and masterful arrangements and Ormandy executed with great performances of the carols.

Although I have discovered this recording only recently I couldn't believe what I was missing out on. The sound is a glorious, magnificent recording of some of the best-loved Christmas classics. Each song gets its own unique arrangement that brings out the richness of the symphony.

It was a million-seller when first released in 1962 and must be considered one of the best Classical holiday recording. Am I going to far? I don't think so. I am also struck by the quality of this 1960's era recording. If you love traditional and old-fashioned Christmas carols with a chorus and a full orchestra, this album is a perfect listen this Holiday season.

It seems almost unbelievable Whitney Houston's Christmas cd has 230 reviews and this masterpiece has only 14!!
I hope you enjoy this recording as much as I have!!!


I recommend it to anyone, from the classical music purist, to the new buyer looking for good Christmas music. This is an album that captures the true essence of the Christmas spirit.