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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The greatest voices on Earth, December 26, 2004
This review is from: Greatest Christmas Show on Earth (Audio CD)
What better way to open "The Greatest Christmas Show on Earth" than with Luciano Pavarotti ringing in "Adeste Fideles" with Kurt Adler and the National Philharmonic Orchestra. No expense has been spared on what has become Pavarotti's signature Christmas carol. He also performs "Mille cherubini in coro," "Panis Angelicus," and "Gesù, Bambino."
The second great tenor of our age, Placido Domingo has to make do with the "Hosanna in excelcis" from Lloyd Webber's "Requiem."
Among the many fine sopranos featured on this two-disk set are Renata Tebaldi (whose recent death saddened all of us who loved her angelic voice), Leontyne Price and Joan Sutherland in their prime, and the always beautiful Kiri Te Kanawa.
You can decide for yourself which 'Ave Maria' is your favorite--the Schubert with Leontyne Price or the Bach with Kiri Te Kanawa.
Altogether there are 42 selections on these London Classical CDs, a few orchestral and many with very good groups, both boy and adult choirs. They sing traditional religious carols for the most part. Te Kanawa's "White Christmas" is about as secular as this recording gets, although Joan Sutherland gets to show off her perky side in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and "Deck the Hall."
Special praise goes to boy treble Anthony Way and his haunting rendition of the traditional English carol, "What Child is This?"
In spite of its clunky title, this recording is highly recommended for Christmas traditionalists.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a voice teacher and early music fan, November 27, 2008
This review is from: Greatest Christmas Show on Earth (Audio CD)
A PRICELESS TREASURY OF CHRISTMAS CLASSICS PERFORMED BY MUSICAL 'LEGENDS'.
It saddens me to see that this truly amazing collection of memorable performances by such legendary performers as: Pavarotti, L. Price, J. Sutherland, R. Tebaldi, and the like, plus such groups under conductors who are no longer living or retired, such as: Sir David Willcocks, George Guest, Margaret Hills to name just a few will no longer be available for the listening public. In addition, this includes those performers and groups who fortunately are still recording, but the selections herein probably include some of their momentous moments from earlier times. Perhaps some record company will pick it up and remaster it. I hope so.
The years that encompass this collection are 1958 through 1996. To be able to hear (on two CD's) songs such as 'Adeste Fideles' sung by Pavarotti, 'Ave Maria' Leontyne Price, and 'Joy to the World' by Joan Sutherland, (to name just a few) along with outstanding performances from such choirs as: King's College conducted by D. Willcocks singing their trademark 'Once in Royal David's City', St.John's College conducted by G.Guest 'I Saw three Ships' and it goes on and on. (The list is displayed for your perusal by Amazon.)
To have all of this truly wonderful music available during the holiday season and, in fact all year round, has provided me with many hours of pleasurable listening. And, believe me when I say, that when a bought this several years ago, it was a lot more expensive. So: HAPPY LISTENING!
I also must agree with the above reviewer; the name of this album is actually demeaning to what is contained therein.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
NOW, I'm ready for the holiday season!, November 27, 2008
This review is from: Greatest Christmas Show on Earth (Audio CD)
I just finished eating Thanksgiving dinner with my family while listening to this cd. I bought it last year, and ahve been looking forward to Thanksgiving so I could listen to it again!
I work in retail, and it is so irritating how we are rushed through every holiday now. I refuse to listen to Christmas music until Thanksgiving so I can really appreciate each holiday, and savor the anticipation of Christmas.
I just love this collection, and I wish that it didn't have such a "circus-y" title. I have tons of Christmas cds, but I think this will always be my favorite. Last year I had to commute an hour and a half to work each way! I am very thankful that I don't have to do that anymore, but if you are a commuter, this cd really helps prevent road rage! I was less stressed when I got to work, and less stressed when I got home.
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