A Medieval Christmas

Joel Cohen (Conductor), Boston Camerata (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Boston Camerata
• Conductor: Joel Cohen
• Audio CD (September 13, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005IVR
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,425 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Classical Instrumental

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: BOSTON CAMERATA
Title: MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS
Street Release Date: 09/11/1997
Domestic
Genre: XMAS CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL COLLECTIONS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb cd - well selected, well performed, September 17, 2000

By 

M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Medieval Christmas (Audio CD)

This collection of Medieval Christmas music has a wonderful mixture of pieces - Hebrew cantillation, Old Saxon readings, plainchant, processional music - with varying countries of origin - Spanish, Provencal, French, Italian, German, English. The net result is a varied program that will appeal even to those not particularly familiar with Medieval music.

The musical instruments are period instruments - rebec, viola da gamba, flutes, recorders, shawm, etc. They are well utilized in the service of the words. The Boston Camerata is, as usual, a well trained choir - the words are clear, the voices blend beautifully.

This can be an excellent addition to your Christmas music collection - one that helps keep Christmas a religious holy day rather than just a civil holiday.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for the holidays!, October 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Medieval Christmas (Audio CD)

This one's superb. I was absolutely thrilled to see it on CD a few years back (I had the LP). "Medieval Christmas" may sound a little...sullen, or something, but ho ho, this one is different. Sure it's early music, one of the best early music CDs I've heard, and I have many, but it fits the spirit of the holiday season perfectly without being preachy, or overtly Christmas-like. I bought a few copies for friends and they say they like it so much, they play it year 'round.

That's a heck of a recommendation for a Christmas CD, eh? I really don't know what makes this one so special. All that I know is that it's a 5-star production, and the "Renaissance Christmas" I would give only 3.5 stars. It doesn't pack as much of a wallop. So grab this one, folks, and enjoy. From me to you I love this CD!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply Endearing, December 13, 2004

By 

random buyer - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Medieval Christmas (Audio CD)

I was 7 years old and excited as all get out for Christmas when my stepfather brought this album into our family, and it immediately became a classic. This is by far my favorite music to listen to during christmas time. While carols become slightly stale as you grow older, the melodies and performance from this album are timeless, enchanting, historic and carry deep meaning. Now that I'm 33, I appreciate these performances even more, if that is even possible. A true gem. When I discovered it here on CD, I was so excited I telephoned my whole family to let them know.