The prospect of auditioning more than 30 holiday discs in the weeks following the Christian Right's electoral steal did not immediately thrill this gay husband. Thankfully, I soon discovered that the spirit of unconditional love that is the true essence of Christmas has again inspired an entire hosiery department's worth of noteworthy stocking-stuffers. Here are the best.
JOHN BAYLESS: CHRISTMAS RHAPSODY — KOCH
Gay pianist John Bayless has assembled a huge discography of piano arrangements of everything from Puccini to the Beatles. At last turning his attention to Christmas, he provides colorful, virtually symphonic treatments of everyone's best-loved Christmas melodies. Thanks to impeccable taste, positive spirits and infectious wit, Bayless' inventive renditions combine uncommon beauty with heartfelt love for the season. A total winner.
D.C. ANDERSON: ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT — LML MUSIC LML
Outmusic member D.C. Anderson, New York cabaret performer, actor, and Outmusic member D.C. Anderson produced the 2-CD holiday benefit recording, Cabaret Noel: A Broadway Cares Christmas. Blessed with one of the sweeter voices on the planet, his gentle and innocent treatments of songs by Stephen Sondheim, Fred Ebb, and a host of others ( including himself ) ingratiate despite tendencies toward syrupy sentiment. Especially noteworthy are the three-voiced multi-track on 'Infant Holy,' the whistling duet on the short 'Up on a Mayberry Housetop' medley, and the relief provided by humorous numbers.
JOHANN ROSENMÜLLER: WEIHNACHTSHISTORIE — CANTUS CÖLLN — HARMONIA MUNDI HMC
Born in Leipzig 66 years before J.S. Bach, Rosenmüller's career as a composer was interrupted in 1655 when he had to flee the city after being charged with pederasty. Dismissed from all his posts and imprisoned, he eventually fled to Hamburg, then Venice, where he later renewed his career. This CD, an approximation of an Italian-style Renaissance Christmas in Leipzig, features Rosenmüller's beautiful sacred music for the holiday season. With Konrad Junghänel conducting Cantus Cölln, one of our pre-eminent early music ensembles, the minimally accompanied ( violin, violincello, organ ) performances are exemplary.
BETH ANDERSON: SWALES AND ANGELS — NEW WORLD RECORDS
How New York composer Anderson, ensconced across from the Brooklyn Museum, manages to capture the hometown, country air of the Kentucky swales ( a meadow or marsh in which a lot of plants grow together ) of her youth underscores the inexplicable miracle of composing genius. March Swale could easily be a holiday tune, its gentle, comforting nature beautifully conveyed by Belgium's Rubio String Quartet. Contemporary music specialist Joseph Kubera and the Quartet play Anderson's Piano Concerto, with others joining in to perform repertoire heard on her much lauded all-Anderson Weill Recital Hall concert. Anderson's simple, unpretentious music, timeless in its warmth and decidedly understated modernity, is as perfectly suited for Christmas as for the first buds of spring or the colorful burst of a fall landscape.
YELLOWJACKETS: PEACE ROUND, A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION — HEADS UP HUCD
With two Grammy-nominated albums to their credit, jazz ensemble Yellowjackets produces a winning disc distinguished by inventiveness and good spirits. Featuring keyboardist and founding member Russell Ferrante plus others on sax, bass and drums, these mild performances have a delightful, homey feel. Enjoy the imaginative, spacey intro to Joseph Mohr's arrangement of 'Silent Night,' and the mellowness of it all.
A LEROY ANDERSON CHRISTMAS — DECCA
What would an American Christmas be like without Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops' classic rendition of Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride? As myth-reinforcing as a Norman Rockwell graphic, Harvard graduate Anderson's delightful compositions and arrangements made him the American composer most performed by American orchestras in 1953. In addition to Sleigh Ride, the disc features Anderson conducting his three infectious Suites of Carols for Brass Choir, String Orchestra, and Woodwind Ensemble, plus his joyful medley, A Christmas Festival. The huge FBI anti-piracy warning dominating half the label bespeaks the music's universal appeal.
CHRISTMAS REGROOVED — KOCH
What a kick! The subtitle, 'Holiday classics re-imagined, re-mixed and re-grooved by some of the most influential artists of the electronic music world' hardly prepares you for the fun of Christmas Regrooved. It's bright, alright, with the highs on some tracks literally jumping out with fun as these sometimes hilarious remixes convert Santa's chimney into a post-psychedelic disco dance palace equipped with every strobe light, hip-hop, platter-spinning effect imaginable. Joseph Jaime, EROS, Jay Atwood, Domingues & Ives, and Mystic Quintet are among the nine artists who together contribute 14 fabulous tracks. You will love this disc.
CHRISTMAS WITH LEONTYNE PRICE — DECCA
JOAN SUTHERLAND — JOY TO THE WORLD — DECCA
RENATA TEBALDI — CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL — DECCA
No lover of vocal music can afford to be without these fabled recitals from three of the greatest operatic sopranos of the last 50 years. In chronological order, which also happens to be the order of importance, the great soprano Leontyne Price joined forces with Herbert von Karajan and the silky Vienna Philharmonic in 1961, when she was approaching her absolute prime. Their fabled Christmas recording for RCA Living Stereo mixes such Christmas classics as 'Silent Night' with works by Bach, Schubert and Mozart. The Holy Night is tremendous, the unaccompanied 'Sweet li'l Jesus' ( no pun intended ) priceless. Price pours out such a radiant stream of sensual highs that one can only dream of curling up in her throat and purring sweet nothings into eternity.
Coloratura Sutherland, accompanied in her prime year of 1965 by the New Philharmonia Orchestra and queenly husband Richard Bonynge, dazzles beyond belief. Everything is pitched in high keys to show off Joanie's brilliant upper range, with more than a few trills, variations and cadenzas thrown in for good measure. While some selections suffer from Sutherland's lamentably mealy-mouthed pronunciation, La Stupenda lightens for the homey simplicity of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas,' clearly enunciating as she enjoys Douglas Gamley's arrangement to bits. Judging from the energy she puts out, Dame Joan must have loved recording this tremendous album.
Lyrico-spinto Tebaldi, again benefiting from the New Philharmonia and Douglas Gamley's arrangements, summons the considerable beauty still with her in 1971 to deliver a heart-warming program. Even where she can no longer lighten and float tones higher in the range, her intention and love for the music by Bach, Brahms, Frack, Gounod, Schubert and others make for great singing. Compare Tebaldi's 'Silent Night' to Price's and Sutherland's, and you've got three object lessons in how to coax greatness out of a simple melody without resorting to syrupy sentiment.
CHOIR OF KING'S COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE: BEST LOVED CHRISTMAS CAROLS — EMI CLASSICS
THE BOYS OF KING'S COLLEGE CHOIR, CAMBRIDGE: HEAVENLY VOICES — EMI CLASSICS
You can't get much closer to the greatness of English choral singing than the 550+ year old choir of King's College, Cambridge. Since 1928, the choir has been broadcasting its annual Christmas Eve Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on the BBC. Here, on two CDs, you'll find standout renditions of virtually every traditional carol you can name. The CD transfers ( especially on the second disc ) fail to capture the beauty of the original analog recordings ( 1964-1979 ) , but it won't matter a bit if you play this disc in the background as you gather round the proverbial or metaphoric fire. For a fine sense of what the choir's boys can do under director Stephen Cleobury, turn to their new, beautifully recorded Heavenly Voices' program of sacred ( if not necessarily Christmas ) music by Franck, Mendelssohn, Verdi, Fauré, Schubert, Ireland and the like.
J.S. BACH: CHRISTMAS ORATORIO — AKADEMIE FÜR ALTE MUSIK BERLIN, RIAS-KAMMERCHOR, RENÉ JACOBS COND. HARMONIA MUNDI HMX
If you think Bach music can't be lively and joyful, check out this re-release of René Jacob's well-recorded performance of the six cantatas that comprise his wonderful Christmas Oratorio. Feast as well on the 120-page deluxe edition filled with gorgeous graphics, translations, and erudite commentary. The superb soloists include a shining Andreas Scholl as the Evangelist and star turns from Dorothea Röschmann ( now at the Met ) , Werner Güra and Klaus Häger. This wonderful performance deserves a place on your shelf.
SEAN LOMAX:
WHISTLING THIS CHRISTMAS
Two-time Grand Champion whistler Sean Lomax ( www.whistleon.com ) teams up with pianist Joel Singer for the rare whistling disc of 16 Christmas favorites. Lomax's pop/jazz style is at its most expressive when he begins to let loose and improvise in the faster numbers. There, his little jazz riffs, occasional bird chirps, surprise trills and fine intonation are hard to resist. While one may wish for a simple legato line and more classical phrasing on the slower selections, Lomax's innate musicality and whistling mastery are beyond question.
A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM POLYPHONY — HYPERION NOEL2
Assembled from many of their 11 beautifully recorded CDs, Stephen Layton's Gramophone Award-winning choir delivers virtually symphonic, perfectly balanced a cappella renditions of mostly contemporary fare. Arvo Pärt's 'Magnificat' is as gorgeous as the sound of the sopranos throughout. The two pieces by John Rutter receive wonderful support from the City of London Sinfonia. Layton's skill in bringing out key voices is second to none. This must-hear disc includes a heavenly preview of the group's forthcoming disc of Morten Lauridsen's Lux aeterna.
KING'S SINGERS CHRISTMAS — SIGNUM TWO
The King's Singers—two countertenors, one tenor, two baritones, and one bass—have been performing worldwide since they were founded in 1968 by six choral scholars from King's College, Cambridge. Thanks to the striking timbre of their countertenors and tenor, their sound remains unique. With impeccable intonation and musicianship— their mastery of dynamics and color is first class—the ensemble delivers a thoroughly pleasing, heartfelt program of traditional and modern carols ( from Praetorius, J.S. Bach, and the revered Anon. to Arvo Pärt, John Tavener, John Rutter, and Peter Warlock ) . With only two tracks featuring accompaniment, we have over 70 minutes of their wonderful sound to revel in.
TCHAIKOVSKY'S GREATEST HIT: THE ULTIMATE NUTCRACKER — BMG
Although I could go on for days about BMG's choice to recycle their back catalogue rather than recording anew, this disc has a lot going for it. Eugene Ormandy's mono Philadelphia Orchestra rendition of Tchaikovsky's sugar-coated family fantasy, written by the part of his psyche able to transcend the torture of internalized homophobia, will do just fine for those who play music in the background and don't focus on particulars. Fun follows in the form of a droll complete Nutcracker suite played by the unlikely Modern Mandolin Quartet. Delivering the ultimate spoof, Spike Jones and the City Slickers crack the nut with decidedly square, mildly irreverent but undeniably appealing whimsy. The First Piano Quartet's novel renditions of the Dance of the Reed Flutes and Waltz of the Flowers cap the enjoyment.
HEIDI GRANT MURPHY:
THE GIFTS OF
CHRISTMAS — KOCH
Gifted soprano Grant Murphy especially radiant high on 'I Wonder as I Wander' cap a winning collection that balances traditional Christmas songs with others by John Rutter, Max Reger, and Hugo Wolf. The soprano's lovely voice, well supported by Kevin Murphy's piano, benefits from several original arrangements by Richard Walters, including a standout version of 'Silent Night.' The absence of translations, and the occasional tendency to pour it on thick where unaffected vocalism would prove ideal—Wolf's 'Schlafendes Jesuskind' drowns in syrup—detract from an otherwise beautiful release.
A WINDHAM HILL CHRISTMAS — WINDHAM HILL
THE VERY BEST OF CELTIC CHRISTMAS — WINDHAM HILL
On A Windham Hill Christmas, the perpetual Windham Hill commissions 14 of its most popular artists to produce just what you'd expect. Highlights are Sean Harkness' 'Christmas Time is Here,' the appealing variety of Tracy Silverman's arrangement 'O Holy Night,' Liz Story's quite interesting 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,' Steve Erquiaga's winning 'Little Drummer Boy,' Tim Story's lovely 'The Holy and the Ivy,' and George Winston surprisingly succeeding in making harmonicas sound like bagpipes. The remaining tracks are mellow and mundane.
The Celtic Christmas compilation offers 19 tracks drawn from the six Windham Hill CC volumes that have collectively sold over a million copies. Mostly sticking to tried and true formulas, classical artists James Galway and Benjamin Verdery join a host of folkier musicians to produce a most appealing set.
ANTON SCHWARZ: HOLIDAY TIME — ( available from www.antonjazz.com )
Bay Area tenor saxophonist Anton Schwartz joins with a jazz pianist, bassist, and drummer to perform a short, lower-priced set of five improvs on classic Christmas melodies. Schwartz and crew occasionally sell out Yoshi's, the Bay Area's premiere jazz club, but this disc does not suggest they're ready for an international career. While the feeling is good-natured and sometimes tongue-in-cheek, and the playing more than competent, the improvisations themselves, which begin with fairly straight renditions of the melody line, do not offer sufficient variety or inventiveness to elevate them above the level of easy listening fare.
TINGSTAD & RUMBEL: PEACE ON EARTH — NARADA
This lovely 'best of Christmas' album features the mellow musicianship of Eric Tingstad ( guitars, synthesizer ) and Nancy Rumbel ( oboe, English horn, ocarinas, synthesizer, chimes, piano ) , plus three visits from keyboardist David Lanz. Two tracks are new, the rest taken from previous holiday albums. The original arrangements are simple, sweet, and relaxing in that classic Easy Listening cum New Age way. Your mind may not be taxed nor your spirit elevated, but your heart will be warmed.
BILL PERRY: A CHRISTMAS
CAROL — EROICA
This solo guitar debut CD from New Hampshire native Bill Perry represents his return to music making after a 20-year hiatus. Alternating his own arrangements of 'White Christmas,' 'Joy to the World,' and four other favorites with five original compositions, Perry's closely recorded work unites jazz, folk, and classical elements in a sonorous, easy to enjoy mix. Lovely music to kick back with, regardless of the season.
STEVE GLOTZER: ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS
Guitarist Steve Glotzer's 25-year history in the music profession has included sharing the stage with many name artists and providing music for the MGM movie A Guy Thing, NBC's Ed, The District, and Passions; Fox's King of the Hill; Martha Stewart Living' and The Weather Channel. With selective addition of bass, percussion, drums, dobro, tambourine and bells, Glotzer's overly bright proceedings are lively, good-natured and mostly upbeat, if not exactly inspired.
HANDEL: MESSIAH — ROBERT SHAW — RCA RED SEAL
The only 'new' complete Messiah to reach me this year is the first CD release of the Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra's 1966 account. Given the harsh string tone, Shaw's important step toward authenticity is most recommended for its impeccable choral singing—note the estimable lightness of the sopranos on 'And He Shall Purify'—and stellar solo contributions from the late soprano Judith Raskin and classic English tenor Richard Lewis. Raskin is sui generis, her special gifts hushed in their prime by cancer. Lewis delivers a bounty of accents and shading, if not sumptuous tone. The alto is matronly, the bass beautifully voiced but lacking requisite darkness. Not a first choice for the average listener, but a must for collectors.
MESSIAH REMIX — CANTELOUPE
The founders of New York's Bang on a Can have commissioned 11 well-known gifted contemporary artists, some famed for their work in electronic and tape media, to offer original sonic remixes of Handel's Messiah. Besides sounding overly bright and grating, many of the computerized hits by Tod Machover, Charles Amirkhanian, Phil Kline, Eve Beglarian and others seem routine, even cynical, as though these otherwise venturesome composers could care less about Handel's masterpiece. Laetitia Sonami's 'Overture on Ice' is among the most interesting contributions.
HANS CHRISTIAN: LIGHT & SPIRIT — NEW EARTH
This well-known new age artist offers unique instrumental arrangements of sacred Renaissance vocal music by Obrecht, Costeley, Morley, Bateson, Byrd, Hassler, Ford, and Jones. The main instrumentation is duo modern celli, with the nyckelharpa added to provide a bright mix that the recording studio has lamentably rendered overly bright. An Indian sarangi, hand percussion and harmonium occasionally join in for variety, but the digital edginess diminishes pleasure.
APOLLO'S FIRE: NOELS & CAROLS FROM THE OLDE WORLD — KOCH KIC
Jeannette Sorrell's Cleveland-based Baroque Orchestra has assembled a program that mixes traditional European carols with vocal and orchestral works by Biber, Charpentier, Purcell, and Cima. The authentic-instrument performances are marred by close miking and strong conducting that grants such works as the familiar 'Il est né le divin enfant' with an overly bright aggressiveness more suited for the chant, 'Christ is born, Get used to it!'
CHRISTMAS WITH THE TRAPP FAMILY SINGERS — DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
Far more real than in The Sound of Music, the famous Trapp Family Singers finally make their way to CD via historic mono recordings from the early 1950s. While the singing is faultless and unquestionably sincere, this decidedly Old World a cappella program has a small-voiced, retro feel more suited to the family's lodge in Stowe, Vt., than urban livingrooms. Why the bad edit at the start of 'Hirten, wachet auf!'?
