Search - Christopher Parkening, Kathleen Battle :: Angels' Glory - Christmas Music for Voice & Guitar

Angels' Glory indeed

D. Ayars | Deerfield, IL USA | 11/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There can't be many people who are neutral about Kathleen Battle. Whether you love or hate her singing, you're likely to agree that this lyric coloratura soprano's interpretations are never boring or unoriginal. For those who strongly dislike Ms. Battle's vocal style, "Angels' Glory" is not likely to change their minds. But for those who greatly admire her unique approach, this album garners the highest recommendation. Christopher Parkening's classical guitar is delicately wrought lace that Ms. Battle weaves her voice through. His accompaniment was an inspired choice, far more effective than a large instrumental ensemble would have been for this recording. From my large collection of Christmas CDs in many genres, this one would be in my ball-and-holly-decked desert-island short list.Most tracks here are rarely heard on other recordings, at least in these languages or settings, but are fully deserving, a welcome thing for those who tire of so many Christmas albums featuring the same ol', same ol' carols. It's hard for me to pick out just a few favorites, but among those in which the interplay of guitar and voice are particularly strong is the traditional Catalan carol, "El Desembre Congelat" (which a few American choirs have performed in English as "The Three Kings"), as well as the traditional Chilean lullaby, "Dormi, Jesu", and William Billings' "Methinks I See A Heavenly Host". The elegantly simple and traditional "Jesus, The Light of the World" is filled with hooks that will stay with you long after you hear it. The traditional Welsh lullaby "Suo Gan" is very moving. But I do have one clear favorite track: Pietro Yon's "Gesu Bambino".The emotional power of these performances and beauty of this music should soften the hardest of flinty scroogehearts at Yuletide."

The most stunningly beautiful christmas album I have.

gulliverh@mindspring.com | columbus, ohio | 11/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Battle and Parkening are so synchronized in vocal and guitar. The result is a CD that is prayerful, thoughtful and so beautiful I've practically worn my cd out. I hope they collaborate again."

Wonderful recording, Wonderful performers, Wonderful selecti

Jude L. Daquin | 08/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I felt it my duty to balance out and overrule the one unmerited negative rating and accompanying comment. I purchased this CD around 2 years ago, and several of the tracks are among my Christmas favorites. I am a Christmas carol connoisseur (have been since I was a toddler), and this recording immediately became a seasonal staple for me. First, let me mention that I once showed this CD to my choir director, who mentioned that Kathleen Battle had the egotistical "diva" reputation. Personally, I have never been one to follow the lives of celebrities and therefore generally have no feelings about them one way or another (unless they attempt to shove their left-wing politics down my throat); and so I don't care whether or not the "diva" reputation is accurate and deserved. The lone negative reviewer must be a musician who personally knows Kathleen Battle and has some axe to grind. That said ...



This CD has several tracks which alone would recommend the entire album. Specically, I could mention "El Desembre Congelat" (the specific track which led me to buy the CD in the irst place). I can't understand why this beautiful carol with its melodious tune and catchy-sounding lyrics is not better known than it is. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir (with all 2,073 members) once sang it as "The Three Kings". That was my introduction to this beautiful Catalan carol, and I often try to find other good recordings of it. (The arrangement used by the Mormons is a very good one which leaves nothing to be desired, but I prefer a clearer/crisper, more intimate sound than the Mormons (whose choir could populate an entire mid-sized town). Parkening's guitar satisfies that need. Guitar accompaniment to Christmas music, once you get used to it, is clearer and more intimate than the overpowering organ. And if you're trying to understand lyrics, less is more where size of the choir is concerned. Kathleen Battle's solo voice works pefectly with Parkening's solo guitar, and the combination has produced very nice renditions of some lesser-known carols which are clear enough to actually allow the listener to understand the words! (Well, true, Battle sings some of these carols in their orginal languages, such as the Catalan first verse of "El Desembre Congelat" and the Polish first verse of "W Zwobie Lezy" ("Infant Holy"). And that, of course, is part of this album's charm.













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