Music of the Season
A choral singer, I find that I'm drawn to that genre more than any other when Christmas approaches. Other years, I've been busy singing nearly around the clock. Now, living apart from the choral scene that I loved for years, I turn to my growing collection of Christmas recordings. This listing represents the favorites within my own collection, with links to the labels where possible.
Chant
& early music
Renaissance,
baroque & early American
Choral (traditional
carols and new music)
Popular/classics
Folk, instrumental
& new age
Chant
of Christmas Midnight, The Schola Cantorum of St. Peter's in the Loop (Imaginary
Road, 314 528 869-2). Some nicely evocative and
meditative music for the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass liturgy, sung by the
men and women who make up the Schola Cantorum of a large Catholic church in
the Chicago area. Despite its marketing to a New Age audience, it features
some high-quality performances of this beautiful sacred music.
Medieval
Carols, The Oxford Camerata, Jeremy Summerly, conductor (Naxos, 8.550751).This
one is new in my collection this year. It has received critical acclaim,
however, and this ensemble is a solid Naxos regular. It contains very haunting
and earthy versions of some of the medieval favorites found on the Boston
Camerata's recording(s). I recommend it. It's very different.
A Medieval Christmas, The Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen, conductor (Elektra/Nonesuch, 9 71315-2).The Boston Camerata is well known for its interpretation of early European, Semitic, and American music. This is a nice complement to a Christmas collection, and it features a spirited rendition of "Orientis Partibus," one of my favorite medieval works. This recording is part of a three-CD re-release from the Boston Camerata, called "With Joyful Voice: Christmas Music of Eight Centuries," including A Renaissance Christmas and A Baroque Christmas (Elektra/Nonesuch, 79303-2). (Back to top)
Renaissance, Baroque & Early American
An American Christmas, The Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen, conductor (Erato, 4509-92874-2).Carols, hymns, and spirituals from 1770 to 1870. This recording is arranged so that different versions of the same tune or text are grouped together, or grouped together thematically. A few of the tunes are familiar but there is much here that is new to many modern listeners.
Christmas
Carols and Motets, The Tallis Scholars, directed by Peter Phillips (Gimell,
CDGIM 010). A fine
collection of Christmas music from England and Germany, featuring several
versions of the Coventry Carol, Ave Marias, and beloved chorales of Praetorius
such as "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen" and "In dulci jubilo."
A Renaissance Christmas: Celebration with the Waverly Consort, Michael Jaffee, conductor (CBS Masterworks, MK 34554).The Waverly Consort was the first early music ensemble I heard in live performance, when they visited my college on a touring artists' series. I fell in love right then, and have treasured this recording ever since I found it. It also features the Praetorius tunes. The voices are accompanied by Renaissance instruments throughout.
A Renaissance Christmas, The Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen, conductor (Elektra/Nonesuch, 9 71314-2).This recording features the Boston Camerata's style of threading together performances with readings and processions. Literature from several traditions makes this a richly joyful Christmas experience. This recording also is part of a three-CD re-release from the Boston Camerata, called "With Joyful Voice: Christmas Music of Eight Centuries," including A Medieval Christmas and A Baroque Christmas (Elektra/Nonesuch, 79303-2).
Selva
morale e spirituale, Claudio Monteverdi, Les Arts Florissants, William
Christie, conductor (Harmonia Mundi France, 901250).The
Selva Morale is not strictly a Christmas recording, but I include it with
my Christmas selections because it is such wonderful, joyful music and
features several text settings that are appropriate for Christmastime.
This recording features extracts from the complete work, which was composed
as a vespers service and is less well known than Monteverdi's Vespers of
1610. This recording together with the next selection present most of the
music in the vesper service.
Selva morale e spirituale (selections), Claudio Monteverdi, Barockensemble Stuttgart, directed by Frieder Bernius, and Kammerchor Stuttgart, with Emma Kirkby, soprano, and John Elwes, tenor (Pantheon, D07108). On this recording (see above) is a beautiful magnificat setting, which conveys Mary's reflections upon being told by the angel that she was to bear the Son of God.
Sing We Noel: Christmas Music from England and Early America, The Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen, director (Elektra/Nonesuch, 9 71354-2). A nice collection that demonstrates how similar the early English, Scottish, and American traditions really were. Several selections from the early American singing school tradition add raw energy. Also, American and English versions of the Coventry Carol stand in contrast to each other.
Vespers
of 1610, Claudio Monteverdi, Boston Baroque, Martin Pearlman, conductor
(Telarc, 2CD-80453). A
spirited new recording of Monteverdi's Vespers takes its place among the
holiday music, as well as standing as a year-round favorite of mine. As
do the other Monteverdi recordings I recommend here, this one features
period instruments.
A Baroque Christmas, The Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen, director (Elektra/Nonesuch 9 79265-2).The third recording of the re-released Boston Camerata set, "With Joyful Voice," this collection features some of the most beautiful French carols ever written, as well as Charpentier's Messe de Minuit sur des Airs de Noel (Midnight mass based on Noel tunes).
A Baroque Christmas, The Heinrich Schuetz Choir, Roger Norrington, director (London, 430 065-2).Years ago, before the days of compact discs, I ordered a collection of Christmas music from the Book of the Month Club. Eventually I did not have a turntable at my disposal any more and longed to play this and my other beloved Christmas albums, so carefully collected. One day I found this recording in a bin and took it home. Voila! It was the Baroque section of that three-record set! A third of my search was over. This recording of primarily German composers features some Hammerschmidt and Praetorius that I performed with the Washington Bach Consort several years ago. (To this day, I have not rediscovered the early music and modern sections of that recording, but hope lingers.)
Messiah, George Frideric Handel, Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood (L'Oiseau.Lyre, 411 858-2). What listing of Christmas music would be complete without at least one recording of "Messiah?" This one happens to be my favorite. I like Hogwood's light, crisp, and energetic approach, and the original instruments make the music dance. If I am ever reincarnated as a soprano, may it be as Emma Kirkby. (Back to top)
Choral (traditional carols & new music)
Carols from Trinity, The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow (2 disks, BMG Conifer Classics, 75605 517542). This was my one carol CD purchase this year, and boy was it a good one. This mixed ensemble delivers old favorites and more obscure (but beautiful) Christmas music in a smooth, warm, welcoming fashion. I stood outside Trinity College in November, wishing I had time to go in and listen. I hadn't yet bought this disk. Next time, believe me, I will make the time. Favorites on the disk: Britten's Hymn to the Virgin, Gibbons's This Is the Record of John (reminds me of my dear countertenor colleagues back in Washington), and Bach's O Little One Sweet. Highly recommended.
Advent at St. Paul's, The Choir of St. Paul's Parish, K Street, Washington, D.C., Jeffrey Smith, music director.Time for a moment of shameless self-promotion. While living in Washington, D.C., I had the privilege of singing with several fine Episcopal and Anglo-Catholic choirs. One of these, St. Paul's K Street, has a rich tradition of Advent lessons and carols. This recording was made in 1995; it features choral and organ music and congregational carol singing, and follows a typical repertoire selection of the lessons and carols service. To obtain a copy, write to St. Paul's Parish, 2430 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-1797, tel.: 202-337-2020, fax: 202-337-7418. Tell them Andrea sent you.
Carols Around the World, Quink Vocal Ensemble (Telarc, CD-80202). This is a nice collection of Christmas carols, as the title says, from around the world. Some are familiar, some are not, but the achingly clear vocal style of Quink, a Dutch quintet, will touch your heart regardless of the familiarity of the music. Favorite selections: "What Sweeter Music," In the Bleak Midwinter," and "Adam lay ybounden."
A
Ceremony of Carols, Benjamin Britten (Hyperion, CDA66220).This
performance of a perennial favorite for treble voices also includes some
other of Britten's Christmas compositions, including "Hymn to the Virgin,"
which is one of my all-time favorites.
Christmas Around the Country, from NPR (NPR Classics PT CD0001). Another bit of self-promotion. National Public Radio collected the best of Christmas music featured on its live performance show "Performance Today" in 1993, 1994, and 1995, and released them as this nice collection. I'm on "A Spotless Rose," with the Washington Bach Consort. The recording also features Chanticleer, Anonymous 4, the King's Singers, the Kansas City Chorale, and more.
Christmas
Carols from Tewkesbury Abbey, Andrew Sackett, director (Naxos, 8.553077).
This
one might make you feel as though you were sitting in church during Christmastide.
I love the sound of boys' voices singing together. Naxos does it again.
Christmas with the Cambridge Singers, John Rutter, conductor (Collegium, COLCD 111).This is one of several Cambridge Singers Christmas recordings, but it remains my favorite, mostly because it contains Rutter's lovely setting of "What Sweeter Music," which has been known to move me to tears. Say what you will about Rutter, he can really shape a tune into a lovely harmonic creation, and in this recording his Cambridge Singers are smooth and lovely.
The Holly and the Ivy, Clare College Choir, John Rutter, conductor (London, 425 500-2).What did John Rutter do before the Cambridge Singers? This nice collection of Christmas choral works shows his early work at Clare College, Cambridge. It contains a mix of his compositions and traditional favorites.
The Joy of Christmas, The Cathedral Choral Society of the Washington National Cathedral, J. Reilly Lewis, conductor (Centaur, CRC 2132). This is the last one, I promise. But there's a good story here. The first Christmas I was in Washington (having moved there in October), I was wandering through the National Cathedral, having quickly identified it as a place with spiritual resonance. I was captivated by the sounds of a rehearsal going on; a choral singer, I had not yet settled on a group to sing with. I bought a ticket for the next day's nearly-sold-out concert and decided then and there to audition in January. I did. It launched my professional musical career in the D.C. area and introduced me to several people who will be friends for life. On this recording, which features the 200-voice CCS, is featured "Chanticleer," a crowd-pleasing favorite composed by Richard Dirksen.
On Christmas Night, King's College Choir, Sir David Willcocks, conductor (London, 425 499-2).Recorded in 1962, this recording has the old sound of English cathedral boychoirs that I have liked ever since my younger brother was a boy soprano in the late 1960s. It's a nice addition to the tradtional favorites category. (Back to top)
This section of my collection has really grown, as I've developed a taste for the pop standards of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. These are the tunes that the boomers grew up listening to on the radio. I am a little young to remember that, but I've grown to really like this mix of music.
First, my steady Eddie (also known as Avion Man) has worked up a page listing his favorite tunes from years past. Why not pay him a visit?
A Cool Christmas, vol. 1, various artists (Pottery Barn, PB01). We may have the Pottery Barn to thank for the revival of these standards. My friend Lisa gave me this disk, not knowing what a fan I am of these tunes by the likes of Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt, and Carmen McRae. Fun.
In the Christmas Mood, the Glenn Miller Orchestra (vol. 1 Laserlight15 418, vol. 2 12 200). The orchestra apparently didn't make any Christmas records while Glenn Miller was alive. Years later, the longed-for records are here. Nice big-band arrangements of popular holiday favorites.
Making Spirits Bright, Dean Martin (Capitol, 72434-95735-2-9).For several years Eddie has been on a quest to find a CD reissue of an old Dean Martin recording, "Marshmallow World." Last year we found "Making Spirits Bright," which apparently is a compilation of the record Eddie was searching for and another Christmas album. So this year I bought it for him. "Marshmallow World" is one of those songs I'd never heard of before now (like "Santa Baby"), and now I hear it everywhere.
The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas and The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas II. The folks at Amazon.com and cdnow.com have done us nostalgia buffs a huge favor by selling these two three-disk sets of Christmas favorites. You name it, it's probably on here: Andy Williams singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?" ... "Here We Come a'Caroling" sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir ... Luciano Pavarotti singing "O Holy Night" ... Burl Ives singing "Holly Jolly Christmas" ... "Mary's Boy Child" by Harry Belafonte ... Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad" ... "Auld Lang Syne" by Guy Lombardo and his orchestra ... and, of course, Bing Crosby crooning "White Christmas." If you like the pop standards and haven't been able to find them all in one place, this disk set is for you. And with the sale prices at Amazon and CDNow, it's quite affordable, too.
Now, if someone would just reissue that old album
of Christmas favorites from the 1960s -- you know, the one with Andy Williams
and Mahalia Jackson and the New Christy Minstrels? With the red album jacket?
(Back
to top)
Bells of Dublin, The Chieftains (RCA Victor, 425 499-2). Whatever your opinions of Celtic music, you'll agree that these folks were having a fabulous time while recording this one. It's a nice mix of traditional Irish favorites, seasonal traditions, and some new voices heard in a different way (such as Elvis Costello, Marianne faithfull, Nanci Griffith, and Jackson Browne). Join in on the wren dance -- you can't help yourself.
Antiphonal Music of Gabrieli and Monteverdi, The Canadian Brass (CBS Masterworks, MK44931).This goes into the category of "not really Christmas but it sounds like it belongs here." Some very festive brass music for the Canadian Brass, augmented by principals of the New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony Orchestra. For some people, it just isn't Christmas without brass.
Home for the Holidays, Eaken Piano Trio (Naxos, 8.554099). Does the world need yet another version of "White Christmas" and "Silver Bells?" Until I listened to this recording, I would have said No. I have changed my mind. This is one of the few recordings of traditional sappy American favorites in my collection, and I don't know how I got along without it for so long. The arrangements for violin, cello, and piano are really quite nice. And proceeds of its sales go to Habitat for Humanity.
Kentucky Christmas, Old and New, Jean Ritchie Family and Friends (Greenhays, GR70717).My love of Appalachian folk music goes back to the days when I lived in Eastern Kentucky. Jean Ritchie lived nearby; her distinctive voice has become inexorably linked with those days in my mind. This is a very nice collection of tradtional mountain favorites and some new compositions, which evokes frosty nights in the mountains huddled by a crackling fire, celebrating the warmth of loved ones.
Orchesographie, Claudio Arbeau, The New York Renaissance Band, Sally Logemann, director (Arabesque, Z6514).OK, OK, it's not really Christmas music, either, but the cheery recorders, sackbuts, and drums are right at home in a Christmas mood. Go for it. You won't be disappointed.
A
Winter's Solstice, vols. I-V (Windham Hill, WD-1045, WD-1077, 01934-11134-2,
and 01934 11174-2). I have grown to love these
five volumes (well, I only have four of them, somehow I missed vol. III) as
much as I love some of my "classic" Christmas recordings. They bring to mind
all kinds of pleasant (and sometimes pleasantly wistful) memories. I do recommend
them.
Winter Solstice: Hammer Dulcimer Music for Christmas, Chanukah, and the New Year's Season, John McCutcheon (Rounder, CD 0192). A nother sample of the mountain music that is among my favorite sounds in the world. John McCutcheon has a way with words, and a way with tunes. This will convince you, if you haven't learned that already. And he's a friend of my sister's.
Christmas / Santa Fe, by Ottmar Liebert (Epic EK62161) A mix of traditional carol tunes and guitar with a Spanish flavor, by this Luna Negra artist.. (Back to top)