Our Favorite Things: Christmas in Vienna [Enhanced][Super Audio CD - DSD]

Mel Torme (Composer), Adolphe Adam (Composer), Noel Regney (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Felix Bernard (Composer), Franz Xaver Gruber (Composer), Richard Rodgers (Composer), Irving Berlin (Composer), Christmas Traditional (Composer), Jorge Calandrelli (Composer), John [Film Composer] Williams (Composer), Hugh / Blane, Ralph Martin (Composer), Placido Jr. [son] Domingo (Composer), Walter Kent (Composer), George Frederick Handel (Composer), Steven Mercurio (Conductor), Ralph Sharon Quartet (Performer), Vienna Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Charlotte Church (Performer), Plácido Domingo (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Ralph Sharon Quartet, Charlotte Church, Plácido Domingo
• Orchestra: Vienna Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Steven Mercurio
• Composer: Mel Torme, Adolphe Adam, Noel Regney, Charles Gounod, Felix Bernard, et al.
• Audio CD (October 30, 2001)
• Please Note: Requires SACD-compatible hardware
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Super Audio CD - DSD
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005QGAH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  DVD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #270,470 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Christmas Song - Tony Bennett

2. O Holy Night - Charlotte Church, Plácido Domingo

3. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Vanessa Williams

4. Jésus de Nazareth - Plácido Domingo

5. Winter Wonderland - Tony Bennett, Vanessa Williams

6. Silent Night - Charlotte Church

7. My Favorite Things - Tony Bennett, Plácido Domingo, Vanessa Williams

8. White Christmas - Tony Bennett, Vanessa Williams

9. Hacia Belen Va un Burro - Plácido Domingo

10. Through the Eyes of a Child - Vanessa Williams

11. First Noel - Tony Bennett, Plácido Domingo

12. Somewhere in My Memory

13. I Saw Three Ships - Plácido Domingo, Vanessa Williams

14. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Tony Bennett

15. Hijo de Dios - Plácido Domingo

16. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Tony Bennett, Plácido Domingo

17. Joy to the World - Plácido Domingo, Vanessa Williams

18. Angles We Have Heard on High - Tony Bennett, Plácido Domingo, Vanessa Williams

19. Silent Night - Tony Bennett, Charlotte Church, Plácido Domingo, Vanessa Williams

20. One More Year - Plácido Domingo, Vanessa Williams

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"Winter Wonderland," "O Holy Night," "The First Noel," and other ageless melodies from the Yuletide season: these are a few of their favorite things. But when the performers consist of Charlotte Church, Tony Bennett, Placido Domingo, and Vanessa Williams, these treasures emit a special glister of incandescent beauty. The program here comes from a live concert performance that was given in the lovely Konzerthaus in Vienna (a DVD version of the event, directed by David Mallet, is also available). We get to savor the unique style of each singer in solo or intertwining in various combinations--as a duet (Domingo and Church together is a highlight), as a trio (on the title track), and, in a superb encore of "Silent Night," as a quartet. Along with the favorite chestnuts are two new holiday songs by Jorge Calandrelli. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone in love with beautiful singing. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3 Out Of 4 = 4 Stars, January 19, 2002

By	Monica Sifkin (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Favorite Things (Audio CD)

After listening to all of the tracks here as well as watching the televised program, I feel that this album was almost a classic bringing together some diverse voices to help us enjoy the holidays. The voices of Placido Domingo and Vanessa Williams really got me into the Christmas spirit, while Tony Bennett gave me reminders of Christmas past. The only discouraging participant here was Charlotte Church. Her uninspiring 2-octave soprano voice really poisoned the well here. She has no range, vocal control, or emotion. They may as well have just plucked a choir boy from the local choir and allowed him to join in. The fortunate part here is that they limited her participation to 2 renditions of Silent Night and a duet with Domingo doing O Holy Night. So to a certain extent we can count our blessings. It was a shame that Miss Church had to ruin all of our Christmases with her comments about the 9/11 tragedy and a shame that she had to partly ruin this CD. However, use your own judgement as to whether or not you find this worth the price. I just can't bear to purchase a cd with songs from Charlotte Church any more.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Christmas selection, but a mismatching..., October 28, 2002

By	Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Our Favorite Things (Audio CD)

It's good to hear a Christmas CD that honestly conveys the right spirit with its selection.

However, I doubt that there are many who honestly enjoy all four or even three of the voices represented here. You'll probably enjoy Placido Domingo & Charlotte Church, or Tony Bennett & Vanessa Williams.

I do want to address the comments criticizing the album because Charlotte Church wasn't a greater part of it. This is a recording of a concert given in Vienna, and the European audiences are going to have a somewhat different taste in music than those of us in America. Obviously, Placido Domingo dominates this concert...probably because he, of the four, has the greatest appeal there. Tony Bennett & Vanessa Williams as popular singers with long careers are strong support and Tony Bennett especially was undoubtedly a strong drawing card for the Viennese concert. However, by European standards, Charlotte Church would be considered an up & coming singer, but certainly not as accepted as the veteran singers. Though immensely popular, she hasn't yet passed the test of time, nor is it likely that her voice is yet developed to anywhere near its potential. Therefore, her solo, duet, and joint performance in the concluding number would be considered quite appropriate for the European audiences.

Of course, the labeling of the album would be more accurate if it had indicated her "guest star" status in the concert.

All in all, many will probably find this CD quite pleasing, but others will prefer an album which leans more strongly toward either the classical or the adult contemporary genre rather than straddling the boundary lines.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More Charlotte Please!, December 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Our Favorite Things (Audio CD)

With Charlotte Church displayed just as prominantly as the other singers, one would assume a well balanced mix. But Charlotte fans, don't be mislead-she sings only two songs! While I enjoy all the singers, I admit I bought this strictly because of Charlotte Church and was very disapointed. Anyone who has enjoyed her solo Christmas album knows she has the perfect angelic voice just made for Christmas carols. Why she was neglected here is a mystery.