Customer Reviews

A Winter's Night; Christmas in the Great Hall

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

 

 

I've been to several of the ensemble's Christmas performances and can agree that their music is a wonderful fusion of the best of early music- unique and beautiful early music instruments and Cetlic instruments- the Celtic harp, the scottish small-pipes which are mellow sounding; and then even a classical instrument and a "new -age" touch with the addition of the oboe and its haunting plaintive sounds that create a beautiful reed sound. There's an amazing variety to the sounds and great use of arrangements that brings out a wonderful blend. And, best of all, its ancient carols and not so familiar christmas music that's good any time of the year.This CD does indeed captures their performances.

Absolutely brilliant. This is not at all the same old Christmas music. Only a few of the songs are well known, but their takes on them are so fresh that you won't mind. All the songs are quite good, but What Child is This/O Come O Come Emmanuel is possibly the best.

I bought the CD since I was looking for "Rorate" which is performed beautifully on this CD as are a number of other tracks. My husband and I both thought the CD was not very festive and found some of the original compositions to be slow and lackluster especially the second track, "New Prince, New Pomp". It did not put us in the Christmas spirit as we were driving many miles for the holidays...was rather dull. Overall, I was disappointed with the CD.