Trombones Under the Tree

Irving Berlin (Composer), John Henry, Jr. Hopkins (Composer), Christmas Traditional (Composer), Benjamin R. Hanby (Composer), George Frederick Handel (Composer), Mel Torme (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), Jule Styne (Composer), Ralph Vaughan Williams (Composer), Katherine K. Davis (Composer), Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovych (Composer), John Frederick Coots (Composer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Anonymous (Composer), Franz Xaver Gruber (Composer), Various Composers (Composer), Carl Lenthe (Composer), Ritson Manscript Anonymous (Composer), Harry Simeone (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Irving Berlin, John Henry, Jr. Hopkins, Christmas Traditional, Benjamin R. Hanby, George Frederick Handel, et al.
• Audio CD (October 26, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Summit(Classical)
• ASIN: B0000038JI
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,940 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #45 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Classical Instrumental
  • #66 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Choruses

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Instrumental Xmas CD--not just for trombonists!, December 16, 2001

By 

Dr. Christopher Coleman (HONG KONG) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trombones Under the Tree (Audio CD)

Admittedly, as a trombonist myself I am predisposed to love this CD. The playing is uncanny, with impeccable intonation and such gorgeous tone quality to bring tears to a trombonist's ears...um, eyes. M. Dee Stewart, formerly of the Philadelphia Orchestra and professor of trombone at Indiana University, brought together three of his star pupils for this recording: Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic and winner of the 2002 International Trombone Association Award; Mark H. Lawrence, principal trombonist of the San Francisco Symphony, and Carl Lenthe, formerly trombone solist with the Bavarian State Opera (!) and currently professor of trombone at Indiana University. Their playing is superb, and more than one high F comes out so easily and beautifully my jaw dropped.

And although every trombonist NEEDS this CD, there is also a wide appeal for non-trombonists. At its best it is very beautiful. Joy To The World and The Christmas Song are absolutely gorgeous. At its worst, Trombones Under the Tree is like really good Musak, listenable but a touch bland, but perfect for Christmas parties and tree-trimming. The CD contains 30 (!) tracks, ranging from traditional carols (We Three Kings, Deck the Halls, Silent Night, etc.) to Classical favorites (Sheep May Safely Graze, selections from the Nutcracker, etc.) to pop standards (White Christmas, Let It Snow, etc.). Most of the arrangements are terrific and show a similar variety--the majority are for trombone quartet alone, but some are arranged for quartet accompanied by rhythm section. We Three Kings gets a tongue-in-cheek treatment in 5/4 reminiscent of Dave Brubeck's Take Five. Nutcracker Sketches (arranged by Carl Lenthe) demonstrates stunning playing but may annoy purists who find the tempi too slow (no matter how good you are, a trombone just isn't a violin or clarinet!) and the concept inappropriate. The Arabian Dance, however, is absolutely terrific, and the whole is clearly deferential to the original.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Amazing, October 4, 2006

By 

M. Duncan "iplayagiantpaperclip" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trombones Under the Tree (Audio CD)

I absolutely love this CD. The level of musicianship is phenomenal, as well as the arrangements of the pieces. It's so hard to find good arrangements of Christmas music - most are very bland. You HAVE to have this CD - especially if you play trombone.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Awesome, July 8, 2004

By 

Randy R. Wallen (Balboa Island, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trombones Under the Tree (Audio CD)

How anyone could rate this CD under 5-Stars is a myestery to me!?! The playing and arrangements are AWESOME! Do yourself a favor, buy this CD as well as "The Hollywood Trombones - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The Balboa Bachelors weren't disappointed and you won't be either!