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A Winter's Solstice II
 
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A Winter's Solstice II

A Winter's Solstice (Series)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews) | More about this product
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Frequently Bought Together

A Winter's Solstice II + A Winter's Solstice IV + A Winter's Solstice VI
Price For All Three: $23.94

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Product Details

  • Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
  • Original Release Date: 1986
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Windham Hill Records
  • ASIN: B000000NHA
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,675 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #2 in  Music > Miscellaneous > Compilations > Holiday Music
    #3 in  Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Holiday Music
    #4 in  Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Pop Vocal

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Listen to Samples

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1. Gift - Philip Aaberg
2. 17th Century Canon - Robin May, Paul McCandless
3. Prelude to Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - Michael Hedges
4. This Rush of Wings - Metamora
5. Sung to Sleep - Michael Manring
6. E'en So, Lord Jesus Quickly Come/Dadme Albricias Hijos d'Eva (Songs of - The Modern Mandolin Quartet
7. Bring Me Back a Song - Nightnoise
8. Salve Regina - Theresa Schroeder-Sheker
9. Chorale No. 220 - Turtle Island String Quartet
10. Simple Psalm - Fred Simon
11. Flute Sonata in Em, 3rd Movement - Barbara Higbie,
12. Come Life Shaker Life - Malcolm Dalglish
13. Medieval Memory II - Ira Stein, Russel Walder
14. Abside the Winter - Will Ackerman
15. By the Fireside - W.A. Mathieu,

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Winter Solstice series from Windham Hill is an appealing souvenir from the label's early days, when guitarist Will Ackerman still served as its chief guiding light and fount of original thought. For years Ackerman shunned the overt commercial trappings of traditional Christmas recordings and instead offered odes to a broader season that, like his artists' music, is compatible with periods of sustained, hushed contemplation. Winter Solstice II, released in 1988, mixes original and traditional compositions (none that specifically brings Christmas to mind) and is adorned with classical overtones from front to back, conveying the high-minded earthiness associated with the label's then all-acoustic format. A few pieces on the 50-minute disc clock in at under than two minutes, and a couple others are duds, yet several selections make this quiet disc a worthy listen: a handsome interpretation of Bach ("Prelude to Cello Suite No. 1") on harp-guitar by Michael Hedges, plus gorgeous, yearning piano solos by Philip Aaberg ("The Gift") and Michael Manring. Better known as a bassist, Manring's reworking of one of his own works, "Sung to Sleep," may be the disc's highlight. Ackerman's contribution, "Abide the Winter," and "Medieval Memory II" by the sadly disbanded duo of pianist Ira Stein and oboist Russell Walder, float through the air as beautifully as winter's first snowfall. --Terry Wood

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The very Best of them all-Still after all these years..., January 25, 2006
After all the years and all the Winter Solstice/Carols of Christmas?Windham Hill Christmas compilations, this is the one I always come back to. It has the most original material, and because of that, it is one of the few Winter Solstice albums you can honestly listen to in July or January or December. Brilliant improvisations by Philip Aaberg begin, and end this disc. One of Ackerman's awesome harp-guitar pieces, a piece by Barbara Higbee which is one of the only I've heard of her flute performances. And the most poignant moments of all - Fred Simon's Simple Psalm. Very moving piano work, complete with chime effects. Simply awesome. There is literally not a single boring or predictable track on this CD; it is a true masterpiece of astonishingly consistent talent all throughout. Yes the first "Winter Solstice" was very good, but this was actually far beyond perfect. THIS is the CD to start with!
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Sentimentally Relaxing for Winter, or Anytime, November 14, 2005
By Paul Gray "Nojaa" (Melbourne, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
This is the second in the "A Winter's Solstice" series. As usual, the good folks at Windham Hill have assembled a masterpiece of music!

If I had to describe musically my feelings of the winter season, this would be it. This compilation is so perfect that, if I close my eyes, I can actually feel myself being transported to the vistas these selections describe.

Here's a sampling of what can be found on this CD:

"The Gift" describes a gentle snowfall. Each note and chord of the piano is a snowflake falling gently to earth amongst a forest of evergreens. "17th Century Canon" brings to mind a scene of an early Main Street, with bells ringing, garland and tinsel gently swaying and children playing in piles of snow. "Prelude to Cello Suite #1," written by Johann Sebastian Bach, becomes a fireplace with the flames dancing over the embers.

"Sung to Sleep" is a mother softly and lovingly singing her child to sleep and telling her child, and herself, that all is well. "Bring Me Back a Song" is actually a medley of traditional Celtic carols. It exudes a warmth of good tidings while causing the listener to reflect on Christmases past.

"Salve Regina" is a tune from the Middle Ages. While not specifically a Christmas piece, it nevertheless fits the mood of the album. "Simple Psalm" is perhaps a rendition of one of the Psalms put to music. The listener's mind may wander to a snow-covered countryside as the sun tries to peek through the clouds.

"Come Life Shaker Life" is a traditional Shaker hymn which celebrates life and the joy of living. "Medieval Memory II" is another mood piece that fits well in the canon. This piece brings to mind a winter's evening with a light snowfall, and is a reflection of "peace on earth" at winter time. "Abide the Winter" brings to mind a scene of winter's last days when both flora and fauna return. Birds are happily singing and the first flowers are poking their heads through old snow as spring prepares to make a return. "By the Fireside" is a scene of a fire in the hearth while family and friends sit around and recall visions of winters past and of dreams for the future.

The music presented here makes "A Winter's Solstice II" a great album for retrospect and meditation. Certainly a good addition to any Christmas music collection, especially for listeners who wish to experience a musical journey of the mind and soul. Five stars plus!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Quite LOVELY for ALL Seasons... , July 6, 2006
By Shmama "MamaNature2" (WI United States) - See all my reviews
My first Winter Solstice cd (I started with number 2) & I'm quite impressed! It is completely Instrumental except for a very short beautiful addition of the sound of female voices more like an instrument near the end of one of the selections that adds to it's sweetness. (Normally I do not care for mixing vocals with primarily instrumentals, but this doesn't detract from it at all). I guess you could play this cd in the winter only, but that sure seems like a waste of the opportunity to be soothed year round. The music is reminiscent of the renaissance period & there are no recognizable Christmas tunes (for me anyway). This whole album is perfect for relaxing anytime & will be great at bedtime for me as I usually have trouble winding down to sleep. Overall, I highly Recommend it. There are some very reasonably priced "like new" ones offered by an assortment of sellers here on Amazon (I now have the first cd in this series on the way to me). Peace.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Another smart music purchase
A great addition to Windham Hill's "A Winter's Solstice" collection. Arrived quickly in excellent condition. Hope to purchase another CD in the series next month. Read more
Published 5 months ago by prnluv

3.0 out of 5 stars mmm I thought it will be something else
some times when you buy stuff just because of a name, and did not encouter it before, so be ready for the unexpected.
Published 17 months ago by Fredi Tal

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Seasonal Music
The whole Winters's Solstice Series is really first rate. The different styles of music all complement each other and there are enough traditional holiday songs to make the discs... Read more
Published on October 4, 2006 by traveler

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
I was shopping in a store in Berkeley several years ago and they happened to be playing this album. I had never heard anything like it so I asked what the album was. Read more
Published on January 25, 2005 by Crowsfeet

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking and peaceful
Without a doubt, this compilation of material is terrific. My family has listened to this CD each Christmas season for several years; we are still fascinated with the depth and... Read more
Published on April 11, 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars A holiday tradition I look forward to year to year
I have the first 6 Winter's Solstice compilations, and this is the best of the bunch, with Vol.6, Winter's Solstice on Ice, far at the other end. Read more
Published on January 5, 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars My very favorite Christmas CD
This is my favorite Christmas CD. It exudes such warmth and mystery and I love to listen to it while I lie in the dark looking at my twinkling Christmas tree. Read more
Published on November 11, 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite CD of the Windham Hill Artists
I love this CD! I listen to it at least once a day. I have almost all of the Windham Hill CD's and this is my absolute favorite!!
Published on January 27, 2002 by Sherrie Hansen

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the Winter's Solstice series
Better than the first Winter's Solstice and much better than the succeeding sequels. This is right up there with George Winston's December and Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown... Read more
Published on November 11, 2000 by seattle_steve

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, But Not As Great As Its Companions
This is the second in this series of holiday music CD's by the Windham Hill artists. While it is good, it is not quite as good as the one which preceeded it, or others that... Read more
Published on September 20, 2000 by Daniel G. Berk

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

A Winter's Solstice II
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A Winter's Solstice V
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