"I love Russian Christmas Music. But, this recording of it is really bad. I do not recommend this recording at all. This recording ruined it for me. It starts out nice, but then the oboe enters. The woodwinds in general are out of tune throughout the piece. The only good thing about this recording is the interpretation of the piece. You get a full understanding of what Alfred Reed wants. But, the horrible intonation just ruins this piece."
Wish I could find a better recording
Brian G. Johnson | Plainfield, IL | 10/01/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this cd for the Russian Christmas Music recording and it is surprisingly poor. The intonation is very bad. There is even a squeek in the clarinet section on the chorale part. I guess that is the beauty of live but I would not put this cd in for listening enjoyment, at least not that particular track."
Not his best conducting
musicdoc | Wilmington, DE USA | 04/01/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The Russian Christmas Music is a favorite of mine. This performance, recorded live, has a fair number of gliches and cracked notes and has nowhere near the power and finesse of the version that Reed recorded with the Tokyo Kosei Wind Ensemble in 1981. That's the one to own!
"
Great Music
Robert M. Mevec | boston mass | 07/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Growing up in a marching band and drum corp family, many of Mr Reeds pieces were used by many of the bands that competed in the cny area. However: it always seemed to be that you could never find any of his work on cd. Now that it is on cd it is truly a pleasure to listen too. As live recordings go there can be the mishap of instruments which there was, blowing a reed can be heard in a quiet passage,but it did not take away from the greatness of the piece. I truly enjoyed the whole cd. I am looking fwd to purchasing vol 1 if possible...."