"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Cor. 1:25)
Favorite Christmas Recordings
Posted On: December 26th, 2005 at 1:16 pm
The Cwirlas have a rather large collection of "seasonal" music, everything from classic to Celtic to contemporary. Since you can't come over to listen, I thought I'd give you a list of my top 10 + 4 favorites. Of course, your mileage may vary. Country fans are invited to bring their own, since the Cwirlas are a little light on country.
1. Lutheran Mass for Christmas Morning - Gabrieli Consort & Players, Paul McCreesh, conductor (Archiv, 1994) Lutheran worship the way it was and the way it oughta be. 'Nuf said.
2. In Sweet Rejoicing - The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx conductor (GIA, 1994) Splendid arrangements and dynamics. Hymns by Praetorius, Crüger, Bach.
3. To Catch a Christmas Star - Christmas with Roger Wagner - The Roger Wagner Chorale (Delos, 1987) Wonderful rendition of Manz’ “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” and a lively contemporary setting of “Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day.”
4. Angel’s Glory - Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening (Sony, 1996) Battle’s incomparable soprano and Parkening’s fluid classical guitar combine in a delightful collection of unusual sacred music for Christmas. You won’t want to miss, “Mary, Did You Know?”
5. Gentle Stranger: Music of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany - Laudamus of Concordia Seminary Chorus, Henry V. Gerike, conductor. Beautiful arrangements for male chorus. The title track “Gentle Stranger” is a keeper.
6. Noël: Carols and Chants for Christmas - Anonymous 4 (Harmonia Mundi, 2005) Spectacular 4 CD collection of medieval chant in all female voices. Hauntingly beautiful. An ethereal masterpiece.
7. A Fresh Aire Christmas - Mannheim Steamroller (American Gramaphone, 1988) Traditional carols and hymns as only Chip Davis can do them. Yup, me and Rush. Go figure.
8. Carols from Trinity - The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, conductor (BMG Classics, 1995) Definitive 2 CD collection of traditional carols and hymns. Superb. You’ll want to play it the entire twelve days of Christmas.
9. Christmas Carols - The Choir of Westminster Abbey, Simon Preston, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon, 1984) Magnificent renderings of Praetorius’ “Resonet in laudibus” and Hammerschmidt’s “Alleluja! Freuet euch.”
10. December - George Winston (Windham Hill, 1982) These contemporary piano stylings have become a modern “classic.” Soothing. Put a log in the fireplace and relax.
11. Carols for Christmas Volumes I and II - The Royal College of Music Chamber Choir and Brass Ensemble, David Willcocks, conductor (Rycodisc, CBS Special Productions, 1985) A definitive collection of the Christmas standards, beautifully arranged and performed as only David Willcocks can do them.
12. Handel’s Messiah - A Soulful Celebration - various artists (Reprise Records, 1982) Not your grandfather’s Messiah, this is an amped up version of the major portions of Handel’s classic arranged and performed by leading R&B artists of the 80’s. Though the tracks are somewhat uneven, given that they were independently recorded, some are absolutely brilliant.
13. A Celtic Christmas - Peace on Earth - various artists (Windham Hill, 1999) Produced by Michael O Domhnaill of Nightnoise, this is a great collection of traditional and contemporary Celtic music for Christmas.
14. A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols - Choir of King’s College - Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, conductor (EMI Classics, 1999) No Christmas collection is complete without this service from King’s College.
Edited on: December 18th, 2007 7:00 pm
Comments:
Re: Favorite Christmas Recordings
Posted On: December 27th, 2005 at 12:39 pm by Henry Gerike
Bill: Thanks for the CD list. One to add is one that I purchased last year, but have only really listened to it this year: Glorious Splendo by the Washington Chorale. It's from Gothic Records (gothicrecords.com). On the CD is Leo Nester's setting of "Of the Father's Love Begotten"--12 minutes that go by all too soon. Written for choir, organ, and brass, the setting uses a different translation for some of the stanzas, and includes 2 additional stanzas that may be new. There's also a great new setting of the Magnificat on it. Take a look at it.
God's blessings to you all in this new year of His grace.
Re: Favorite Christmas Recordings
Posted On: December 28th, 2005 at 3:10 pm by Joan Estrada
Pastor, One of my favorite Christmas Cd's is The Cambridge Singers Christmas Album, John Rutter conducting the City of London Sinfonia. I particularly like 1 Traditional Carols, "Garbiel Message" and the German Carol Still, Still, Still. Check it out.
Blessings,
Joani
Re: Favorite Christmas Recordings
Posted On: December 29th, 2005 at 7:37 pm by Andy Monro
I grew up with "The Andy Williams Christmas Album," and it is one of the few Christmas CDs I own today. I think that it's a pretty good mix of sacred and secular, and only recently have I come to realize how popular it has been. I particularly love "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" -- big, brassy and blood-pumping!
Re: Favorite Christmas Recordings
Posted On: January 06th, 2006 at 3:13 am by The Fox!
My own $.02... John Nilsen's A Midnight Clear is wonderful piano with subtle accompaniment depending on the piece-very good for background or relaxation.
Ray Conniff Singers-who can forget their marvelously upbeat music? Wonderful-easy to sing along with and perfect cookie-baking/gift wrapping music. Traditional (if theologically bland) and contemporary.
A Waverly Consort Christmas-different and totally fun! Traditional carols ranging from Merrie Olde England to Appalachian mountain music. Their Coventry Carol is something!
Arthur Fiedler's Boston Pops-nuff said. He was just the best!
I have a large collection (and am always looking for more-can there be too much good Christmas music?) but thought these few tidbits might be worth considering. Thanks so much for the choral recommendations-could use some more of those.
Pastor, would you mind running this list again next October/November? Bet we'd all appreciate the info so we can run right out and get more really good music just in time for Advent/Christmas. Glad to see another lover of Celtic Christmas music as well! I know this is a late comment to this forum but hope you had a blessed Christmas and that your chalice runneth over in 2006!
Re: Favorite Christmas Recordings
Posted On: January 17th, 2006 at 1:22 am by Rick Ritchie
Somewhere in there you need a recording of "Snoopy's Christmas" by the Royal Guardsmen.
I've seen it claimed that this is a sort of commemoration of the WWI Christmas Truce.
The Baron made Snoopy fly to the Rhine
and forced him to land behind the enemy lines
Snoopy was certain that this was the end
when the Baron cried out "Merry Christmas mein Friend!"