Customer Reviews

Robert Shaw Chorale: Joy to the World

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Any student of choral music knows what an enormous impact Robert Shaw had over several decades. This recording is a fine example of his early work, which so impressed Arturo Toscanini. The music on this CD was originally recorded in the late 40's or early 50's. For years it was the only Christmas music our family had...on 78 rpm records. Remember those? We literally played those records to pieces, and were overjoyed when my Dad found the same recordings remastered onto an LP record in 1963. We have since played that one to bits as well. I cried tears of joy when I found this music now on a CD, never to wear out again! I am so grateful that our technology is now saving the priceless recordings and performances of the past. If you love choral music, you will know after hearing this that newer is not always better.

These magnificent 1945-1946 a cappella performances have remained in print, in one format or another, for more than half a century, and now we have them on compact disc! From 78-rpm records to 45-rpm "EP" boxed sets, from early monaural LPs to "fake" stereo editions on RCA Camden, these recordings have refused to die. Let's hope that they never give up the fight!

"Carol of the Bells" is perhaps the most powerful rendition in the set, though choral music lovers are also likely to be spoiled for life by "Patapan," William Billings' "Shepherd's Carol," and the hautingly beautiful version of "I Wonder As I Wander." There is an extraordinary art to these performances and arrangements. In the 1940s, the popular audience had yet to reject everything "serious" in music; therefore, it was possible for musical leaders like Shaw to find a legitimate middle ground. Whatever happened to those days?

The sound is better than one might expect, and the price is lower than anyone would imagine. Get this one!

Certainly the sound quality is not up to today's digital standards, but this is an historically significant early recording performed impeccably by one of the greatest choral groups of the recording era. And how can you beat the low price? This cd will definitely be included in future holiday listening.

My parents have this album on vinyl, in mono! It was "the Christmas album" at our house. If I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, I put this on and it reminds me to slow down and enjoy! I taped the old album onto cassette and the quality isn't very good any more so I was elated to find it on CD.

Other reviewers in this space have been critical of the sound quality of this recording. They are quite correct that, compared to today's standards -- or even those of the 1960s -- the quality of this recording is terrible. The recording, however, was made in the late 1940s and released on 78s. For THAT time, I think the quality is phenomenal. The performances have held up well over the years, as well, with that characteristic Robert Shaw "one voice" sound. The tonal shading is as precise as the diction. Listen for it; this level of precision and nuance (perhaps a little over-emphasized to make up for the recording technology) is as rare today as it was then. For basic carols performed in 4 part a capella, it just doesn't get any better than this.

My siblings and I grew up with this Christmas music. We played it every year starting on Thanksgiving Day. In fact, it was so much a part of our Christmas tradition that we simply called it "The Christmas Record." To this day when we start singing Christmas Carols, we automatically sing them in the order they are on this recording. I love the blend of well known carols such as Joy to the World with the lesser known Echo Carol and Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day. If you like traditional Christmas music, you'll love this!

There is probably no chorale ensemble in the U.S. better than the Robert Shaw Chorale. I realize that this is a re-release of recordings originally made in the 1960s, but I have higher expectations. There is a good deal of hiss and high-pitched background noise, and at least one track starts with the sound of the tape slowly starting. Someone was not paying attention in the sound booth when they were doing the digitalization. If this is your first experience with the Robert Shaw Chorale, you'll never come back. Try "Songs of Angels" or "Angels on High" first -- these are more recent recordings, but they show what the Chorale could do. There is almost nothing of merit in this CD.

The sound quality of this recording is really poor. I realize the source tape is the cause of this, but it seems that it was engineered very strangely, the sound has a muffled quality to it.
Also, the songs are done in "medley" fashion, rather than as individual works.
Get "Christmas with Robert Shaw" instead.