Customer Reviews

Noels Celtiques: Celtic Christmas Music From Brittany

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A Christmas album to treasure all year, Noels Celtics contains delicate Medieval harmonies both vocal and instrumental, with just the right mixture of sacred "Church" music, French and Celtic flavor. While this outstanding collection avoids overused holiday ditties, the music still seems familiar--with many echoes of the carols passed down to us today. This CD is sure to delight anyone looking for somethng a little different for the holidays.

Here it is. This is quite simply some of the loveliest music recorded. Even if you only listen to it at Christmas time (and there is no reason you can't spin it year round) this one belongs in your collection. As music from Brittany (the Celtic region of France) the songs are sung in Breton (not French as stated by one reviewer) but this should prove no obstacle to those desiring moving, beautiful music. The final minute (and a few seconds) of the final track of this CD is simply some of the most stirring Celtic music ever recorded, and given the gorgeousness of this entire CD that is saying quite a bit!

Finding unusual Christmas music has become a delightful way to bring in the holiday season. With the richness of the Celtic world this cd was an exceptionally delightful find. The music is unlike any Christmas music we have found of late and should be aquired by those who want a sound that is sure to touch deep in ones soul. As one who loves any type of Celtic music this was an exceceptional addition to our growing collection of Celtic music, as there is little offered that reflects the hauntingly beautiful sound of the music of Brittany. This Christmas ask for it to find its way to your Christmas stocking, you won't be disappointed. Although you will find your self listening to it all year long. IT is that unique.

This is a phenomenal CD. Haunting, graceful...it can be listened to every day and not grow old. Other reviewers: No fair to this lovely CD for you to downrate it just because Amazon did not provide sample tracks! This is a definite winner--and I have bought several just to give as gifts.

This is not your typical Christmas album, but I can assure you. This is a good thing.

This is Celtic Christmas music from Brittany (and, contrary to what others have said here it is not sung in French but in Breton which is the ancient Celtic language of Brittany, a region in northeast France). It is sung by a choir and although you may not fully understand what is being sung there is no doubt as to the thought, feeling, and emotion behind it. This far outdoes the typical Christmas fare you have come to expect these days. If you know that you can't bear to hear Celine Dion or Clay Akien again, give this a chance. The solitary bagpipe on "What Noise on Earth" would fit perfectly in parts of a midnight Mass and the final 1:20 (or so) of the final track "Christmas at Sea" is some of the most glorious and stirring Celtic music ever recorded.

Amazon.com has come through again with their amazingly fast and efficient service.

I received this CD in the mail last week and have managed to listen to it at least once a day since then. I recommend it highly. The pipes, drums, fifes, voices are enchanting, haunting, and evocative. Do not pass it up.

It makes a great Christmas present, both for yourselves and friends.

The British Amazon site (amazon.co.uk) has samples - though sadly not of the last track, a pipe instrumental to tingle the blood of anyone with a drop of Celtic blood in them. Also, don't be too put off by the 'Noel' aspect of the title - this CD is not excessively Christmassy, and I have revisited it throughout the past year.

This is perhaps the finest CD of its kind I have ever heard. As for those of you who rated this album at one star (because you have not heard it) Shame On You! Give Amazon the one star for not having a sample to listen to, but this album deserves the five stars I have given it. I want to hear more of this group, and I cant wait for their next CD (I hope they make another - they are a community group)

The innovative choral techniques and the variety of style and texture on this CD simply enchant me. This CD is a great alternative to the "Old Favorites". It has that Christmas feel, but gives the ear some new and different to follow.

L'Ensemble Choral du Boit du Monde (Worlds End Choir) comes from France and has a two year history of promoting Celtic language and culture. It sings arrangements of folk material and never works specifically incorporating Celtic elements. The current director,Christian Desbordes, is a composer and arranger who, along with Rene Abjean, the founder of the group in 1977, supplies much of the music the choir performs.

The treatment of tunes on this album probably owes a great deal to the groundbreaking work of the Irish musician, Sean Riada during the 1960's. It was he who started the Chieftains on their road to spreading the gospel of Celtic music and it was also he who first set the ancient melodies and Gaelic lyrics for the Chorus.

While most of the songs sung on this new album of holiday songs can trace theis beginnings back to Brittany's astoundingly fertile folk tradition, there are also a few interesting arrangements of Welsh and Cornish material included near the end of the program. The sound of the recording is lush without being overwhelming, and the occasional bagpipes and flute that weave through the organ and vocal textures add an air of authenticity to the procedings. The results are very pleasing not only to fans of choral singing, but also to the Celtic music aficionado.