Search - Cesar Franck, Johannes Brahms, Engelbert Humperdinck :: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf - The Christmas Album

A Christmas Classic

Lost Way | 02/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are hundreds of classical Christmas-themed albums by now but none exceeds this one for sheer joy and pleasure. Originally released as a mono Lp in the 1950's with a non-seasonal title, it reappeared on CD for the first time in stereo for Christmas. The last cut is actually an Easter offering, but no matter, this is perfect seasonal entertainment.
Schwarzkopf is warm, polylingual and technically impressive. Sir Charles Mackerras on one of his earliest albums does splendid work as both arranger and conductor. Star peformers like Julian Bream and Denis Vaughn turn up like tinsel on a glittering tree. But ultimately what matters is the spirited music-making in excellent sound. No allowances need be made for its age.
This disc comes out every year with the ornaments, and lights up the holidays every year.
A truly great recording!"

¡Perfect!

Lost Way | Mexico | 05/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not write very well in english, but I'll try to share my opinion of this great cd, especially, about the Schwarzkopf's performance.

Some people think that the voice is small, but I'm not agree with that opinion because Schwarzkopf -with her stylish art- sings diferent, for example, in "Stille Nacht", sweetly and all most in piano, than "Panis Angelicus", piece singing with more power and intensity.

Her performance is in armony with the text, caracter and style of each song. Also, her voice is clear and full. In 1957, she was in perfectly form. In a few words, her colocation is perfect, her sounds are beauty, the dinamics are used with inteligence, the respiration is amazing, the articulacion is excellente, the vibrato is used with moderation -not like other singers, and after all, the colour of her voice is rich."