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Genre: Christmas Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 12-DEC-2001
CD Reviews
A Christmas festival, indeed
12/12/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was looking for a mainly instrumental CD to augment my expanding Christmas collection, and I chose this one because of the wide variety of songs it contained. It has Leroy Anderson's definitive arrangement of "Sleigh Ride," two medleys, and songs like "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers," "March of the Toys," "Dream Pantomine" from Hansel & Gretel, and Mozart's "Sleigh Ride," which make this mixture a little different than the average Christmas CD. This album is not completely all instrumental, as there are a few choral pieces ("The Little Drummer Boy," "Carol of the Bells," and "Silent Night"). The choir does not overwhelm the orchestra, though, and these selections blend in well with the rest. The songs were originally recorded in the late 1950s, but the background "hiss" is hardly noticeable, if at all present.
All in all, a warmly recommended orchestral Christmas album with plenty of old favorites and good cheer."
Christmas in Beantown
Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 09/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In Boston, Christmas music is synonymous with The Boston Pops, and for many people, Christmas music is synonymous with its legendary conductor, Arthur Fielder. The album contains many Pops favorites including Leroy Anderson's arrangement of Christmas carols and his well known Sleigh Ride. We actually hear the authentic rendition of Sleigh Ride on this recording since the Pops made Anderson's music famous. The recording includes classical favorites such as music from the opera Hansel and Gretel, Mozart's Sleigh Ride, a highlight from The Nutcracker, and Fantasia on Greensleves. Newer works include Al Hirt's Toy Trumpet. The recording concludes with the Pops timeless rendition of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.As soon as the music of this recording begins, the listener is transported to Boston's Symphony Hall. So take a break from the hectic holiday season and enjoy the sound of the Boston Pops!"
Traditional Songs of the Season Instrumentally
rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 04/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pops fame of Fiedler and Boston Pops is well illustrated in this Christmas collection. Well done recording balanced with religious and secular offerings. Especially enjoy the versions of "Carol of the Bells" and "What Child Is This?"Worthwhile addition to play to provide variety of sung and instrumental holiday cheer."
Fantasctic all instrumental Xmas music
R. Shaw | Hanford, CA USA | 12/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Arthur Fiedler has created a timeless classic album with the Boston Pops. All the Christmas standards are here, all in instrumental form (which is hard to find these days). Even if you aren't a classical music fan you will find these renditions exciting and fitting for any Christmas occasion. The songs will draw pleasant memories of your youth at Christmas time. Especially unique is the whimsical "sleigh ride" with the clip clop sounds of horses hooves, a whip snapping, sleigh bells ringing, and for the finale, the neighing of a horse (portrayed by a trumpet of course)."
A Christmas Festival
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 12/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Arthur Fieldler takes you to "A Christmas Festival" where he will lead you on a "Sleigh Ride" to a "Winter Wonderland" to celebrate an absolutely beautiful "White Christmas" with the Boston Pops Orchestra and Chorus.
Make it a "Silent Night" and listen to some of the classic Christmas carols of all-time - "The Nutcracker: Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy," "What Child Is This?" and a host of heavenly chorus singing a "Christmas Medley" of "Here We Come A-Caroling," "O Christmas Tree" and "I Saw Three Ships."
This is one my favorite Christmas music of all-time. The music of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra has been a part of our very musical household when I was growing up. Likewise, this recording takes me back to my cherished memories of Christmases in the past. This is Christmas music at its best. The arrangements are perfectly done, the orchestration is superb, the choice of material is truly impeccable, and the chorus is outstanding.
Merrily recommended for your Holiday listen and let your ears capture its magic.
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1