More seasonal-music releases
The holidays are almost upon us, along with a minor avalanche of new and remastered CDs to help celebrate the season. Here are a few of the top picks for this year:
Handel’s “Messiah,” John Rutter conducting (Hendrickson Worship, www.hendrickson.com). The complete oratorio, with one of the best-known choral experts leading his Cambridge Singers and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Fine soloists; beautiful, well-focused and colorful singing; expert orchestral backing from a modern-instruments but historically informed approach.
Tchaikovsky, “Nutcracker” Favorite Selections, Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops (Telarc). From one of the country’s great pops-meisters comes this attractive, well-played assortment of favorite selections from Tchaikovsky’s evergreen “Nutcracker.” Great for the whole family.
“Spirit of the Season,” Mormon Tabernacle Choir with soloist Sissel (www.mormontabernaclechoir.org). The pure-voiced Norwegian singer Sissel joins the choir, with its incredibly smooth blend and resonant basses, in an attractive set of 16 selections recorded live at last year’s Christmas concert (which drew 80,000 people over three days). Traditional, modern and a bit of Scandinavian repertoire.
“The Christmas Spirit,” (London). This label has gone into its vaults for a two-disc set featuring famous opera singers (Pavarotti, Sutherland, Price, te Kanawa, Tebaldi) and the top-ranked King’s College Choir in repertoire that spans all the traditional classics, plus some “Messiah” excerpts and some less-familiar carols.
“Christmas Break” (Telarc). A nicely varied collection of low-key, calming seasonal music for the stressed-out, with easy-listening contributions from a fine lineup: the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers, harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, guitarist David Russell, violinist Joseph Silverstein and pianist Michael Chertock, among many others.
“Let it Snow,” Chanticleer (Warner). Inventive new arrangements will open your ears in this jazzy, close-harmony collection from the virtuoso male ensemble whose combined range seems to span more than four octaves (and whose repertoire spans nearly every singable style). The selections offer both a cappella works and pieces with the Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra, which winds up the disc with a rousing medley.
Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio,” Peter Schreier (Philips, 3 discs). Originally recorded in 1986-87, this highly regarded recording is being re-released in Philips’ “The Originals” series, featuring a “dream team” of performers: the Dresden Staatskapelle, Leipzig Radio Chorus, Ludwig Güttler Trumpet Ensemble and a superb cast of soloists (Helen Donath, Andrea Ihle, Marjana Lipovsek, Peter Schreier [who also conducts], Eberhard Büchner and Robert Holl). Superb singing and playing, and a real sense of joy in the stirring choruses.
“The Venetian Brass Album” (Crystal Records). This is not, strictly speaking, a Christmas disc, but brass music is always closely associated with the holidays, and this is classy brass indeed - recorded in 1987 by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony (including such brass legends as Roger Bobo). They play a beautiful assortment of multivoiced brass works by Gabrieli, Frescobaldi and other masters.
“Joyous Day,” Utah Chamber Artists (Clarion, www.clarionrecords.com). A nice surprise from this ensemble of 40 singers and 40 instrumentalists who perform the elegant, warm-textured arrangements of founding director Barlow Bradford. The 12 selections here, including familiar and less-familiar carols, can stand with the best.
Local note: Seattle pianist and composer Andrew T. Miller has a classical Christmas CD out this season, as well. “The Birth of Christ” (Sony Classical), recorded in Ireland’s Christ Church Cathedral with Protestant and Catholic choirs, tells the nativity story as a cantata, with choir and orchestra. Liam Neeson serves as narrator for the audio CD and a DVD version; watch it free through PBS, on KBTC at 8:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, or on KCTS at 10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 2 p.m. Dec. 25. Miller will also have a live benefit appearance at KBTC in Tacoma, 3-5 p.m. Sunday ($150; details at 800-325-5877 or www.kbtc.org).
Melinda Bargreen: mbargreen@seattletimes.com