Victor Hely-Hutchinson: A Carol Symphony

Bryan Kelly (Composer), Victor Hely-Hutchinson (Composer), Peter Warlock (Composer), Philip Lane (Composer), Patric Standford (Composer), Gavin Sutherland (Conductor), Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Gavin Sutherland
• Composer: Bryan Kelly, Victor Hely-Hutchinson, Peter Warlock, Philip Lane, Patric Standford
• Audio CD (October 21, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00006RHPV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,204 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Genre: Christmas Music Media Type: Compact Disk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Charming Collection for Christmas, December 20, 2006

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Victor Hely-Hutchinson: A Carol Symphony (Audio CD)

This is a delightful holiday CD of music inspired by Christmas carols. The works recorded (all by British composers) here were the result of Christmas concerts that symphony orchestras began adding to their calendars in the 20th century as an alternative to the Messiah and Bach's Christmas Oratorio. The longest of the works recorded here is the Carol Symphony of Victor Hely-Hutchinson, composed in the mid-1920s. It is cast in four movements although the symphony is to be played without a pause. Each movement is based on a single carol but the second and last movements make use of a second carol theme. Improvisations on Christmas Carols by Bryan Kelly is set in five short movements with each based on a single carol and include God rest ye merry gentlemen, I saw three ships and Ding dong merrily on high. Bethlehem Down is a short piece by Peter Warlock, originally for voice, is arranged here a string orchestra by Philip Lane whose own Wassail Dances is included on this disc. The Dances are based on three drinking songs that are sung during the Christmas season in England. The final work is A Christmas Carol Symphony by Patric Standford that is also cast in four movements and makes use of several carols notably Deck the Halls, God rest ye merry gentlemen, Away in a manger, On Christmas Night and ends with We wish you a merry Christmas.

The music is very well played and recorded. The music is imaginatively orchestrated and is perfect as a supplement to hearing the ubiquitous renderings of the Halleluiah Chorus of Handel.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good tidings, January 27, 2008

By 

D. Granato "the music man" (Oak Brook, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Victor Hely-Hutchinson: A Carol Symphony (Audio CD)

This is a great Christmas disc for those who want something a little off the beaten path. There are several very interesting original works based upon known (and sometimes unknown) Christmas music themes. The Prague Phil is a great form, and the price can't be beat! Very pleasant, and worth a hear. Enjoy!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CD review, January 18, 2007

By 

Debra J. Opfer (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Victor Hely-Hutchinson: A Carol Symphony (Audio CD)

A wonderful Christmas musical addition to your CD library. Excellent arrangements with full orchestra in classical style. Good stuff.