Our Christmas Songs for You

Roberto Alagna (Artist), Kiri Te Kanawa (Artist), Thomas Hampson (Artist), Jonathan Tunick (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: Jonathan Tunick
• Audio CD (November 26, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000002RWZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,977 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #82 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Te Kanawa, Kiri

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant Christmas concert (mostly), December 9, 2001

By 

Matthew Spady "800rsd" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Our Christmas Songs for You (Audio CD)

Mix three internationally-known opera singers with some popular songs for the Christmas season and you have a recipe for disaster - or so it would seem. Fortunately, the three classically-trained singers on this CD are able, for the most part, to simplify their vocal production, stretch rhythms when necessary, and bend their intonation just slightly to produce a suitable cross between classical and "pop" sound.

Hampson's "The Christmas Song" is relaxed and introspective - genuinely lovely, as is his reading of "My Christmas Song for You." (Think Robert Goulet in his prime.)

With the slenderest and purist of tones, Te Kanawa sings "Toyland" as a tender lullaby, then gives just the right amount of tone and vocal shading to the ballad "I'll be home for Christmas."

Hampson and Te Kanawa's duet version of "Winter Wonderland" is straight out of a `50's movie-musical; it doesn't take much imagination to see them tucked under a fur rug in a sleigh with a snowscape passing behind them.

Of the three Alagna is least successful adapting to a pop-style, though for the most part, he sticks with carols for which this approach works - probably the reason he is the one who sings "O Holy Night" the most operatic of all Christmas carols. Alagna's least successful outings are the trios with Te Kanawa and Hampson ("Sleigh Ride" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and "White Christmas"); while the latter two modify their voices and style, he remains "the tenor" making him sound even more out of place. In his duet with Te Kanawa (In the "Bleak Mid-Winter"), one wonders how he could have clung to his operatic sobs given her tender, straight-forward reading of the text. To his credit, his sings understandable, though lightly-accented, English.

The orchestrations are pleasant, often restrained. The orchestra and chorus give solid support, shining when necessary and appropriate. On balance, this is a very pleasant Christmas concert.

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt peace that I listen to year-round, February 3, 2009

By 

Hells Kitchener (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Christmas Songs for You (Audio CD)

This would be one of my "desert island discs." There is such a feeling of peace and serenity and humanity that flows through the music on this CD, I get lumps in the throat and a sense of belonging to the world again after listening to this CD. It's not Christmas for me until I have put this on and listened to the whole song cycle. The three world class operatic stars put forth traditional songs with a relaxed and welcoming sentiment, with orchestrations that are lush and restrained, the CD borders on the "church social" atmosphere but with these voices singing the simply pleasant is quickly lifted into the comforting and soothing. This is vocal balm for when the world is weary and hurting. It's impossible for me to choose a favorite from the three or a favorite song from the disk. This is one of those CDs I turn to no matter the time of year when things are rough and you just need to sit back and relax and remember what is good about life and being here amongst other human beings and get away from it all for an hour (for instance: when you are coming home form work when 120 of your co-workers were just fired like tonight!). This review is full of sentiment and my heart is on my sleeve, but you have to realize for me that is extraordinary so it gets 5 stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Christmas Songs For You., January 7, 2007

By 

Peter F. Pielak "Jason Pielak" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Our Christmas Songs for You (Audio CD)

Very good. This CD has a very traditional Christmas spirit about it. The songs are great and the three opera singer sound wonderful together.
I would be nice to see EMI Classical re-reissue this CD people who like traditional Christmas songs will love this one. I really enjoy it.
Kiri Te Kanawa is just wonderful and the two gentlemen are just great. Their voices are clear and crisp the Choir and Orchestra just add to the great music.

Sincerely, Jason or Peter Pielak.