A Christmas Experiment

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Based on a Christmas film assembled and acted in part by children of the Canadian Brass, A Christmas Experiment may well be the traditional-family-values CD you've been waiting to find. Merging the talents of the Bach Children's Christmas Chorus and the Georgian Bay Children's Choir, the internationally known brassy quintet provides bright and sweeping arrangements of secular and sacred standards as well as original pieces created for the program. The result is a refreshing panoramic showcase of the Christmas spirit, realized through and for children that neatly avoids being too cute, classical, or Christmassy. --Martin Keller

Tracks:

The Night Before Christmas
Jingle Bells
Sleigh Runners
Jolly Old St. Nick (traditional)
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
O Christmas Tree (traditional)
Sleigh Bells
Sweet Songs of Christmas
Spinner (Santa's Littel Elf)
Frosty the Snowman
Angles We Have Heard on High (traditional)
Angle Choir and the trumpeter
Lo how a Rose e'er Blooming
Little Drummer Boy
Away in a Manger
We Three Kings
O Holy NIght
O Come All Ye Faithful (tradtional)
Linda Beaupre: We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Silent Night

Amazon.com

Based on a Christmas film assembled and acted in part by children of the Canadian Brass, A Christmas Experiment may well be the traditional-family-values CD you've been waiting to find. Merging the talents of the Bach Children's Christmas Chorus and the Georgian Bay Children's Choir, the internationally known brassy quintet provides bright and sweeping arrangements of secular and sacred standards as well as original pieces created for the program. The result is a refreshing panoramic showcase of the Christmas spirit, realized through and for children that neatly avoids being too cute, classical, or Christmassy. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

If you like this, it's what you like.......2007-01-05

If you're a Canadian Brass form, this is christmas music in fine form. They have two Christmas CDs, one more traditional, one more snappy modern carols, they're both pretty good.

Not great for "stand-alone" listening.......2004-12-21

The music on this album works astonishingly well as part of the television special (metioned in other reviews).

However, listening to the music on its own, it doesn't really work. As a fan of experimental, challenging music, I hate to say this, but: this is just too "weird" for a Christmas album. If you do not already have the Canadian Brass' other Christmas album, that is the one to get.

An Experiment That Does Not Fail.......2003-12-01

The Canadian Brass is an ensemble known for both its virtuosity and its creativity. Both attributes can be found in its Christmas recording A CHRISTMAS EXPERIMENT. The disc was recorded in conjunction with an A and E television special which is available on DVD.

This is not a traditional brass choir Christmas album, though certainly there are elements of this in many of the tracks. Most of the tracks involve the vocals of two children's choirs: The Bach Children's Chorus and The Georgian Bay Children's Choir. The voices of these two groups are almost angelic. The pleasing quality of the children's voices makes the recording worthwhile. Most of the arrangements are original, and lovers of the Canadian Brasses antics will enjoy the arrangements of "Jingle Bells" and the original "Sleigh Runners." While a carol such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" is so standard that people are hardly excited by it, the powerful version of this recording will make listeners stand up and take notice. Perhaps one of the most original pieces is the Brass's version of "Jolly Old St. Nick." It begins like the groups prior recording the Pachelbel Canon, but moves into the familiar song.

I will have to admit, when I first purchased the recording and saw the title A CHRISTMAS EXPERIMENT, I have expected it to fail. I am glad I was wrong. The experiment is definitely a success.

A Very Successful Experiment!.......2001-12-04

I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I purchased this CD last year on a whim. Christmas Experiment quickly became one of my favorite Christmas CDs. We know that Christmas is particularly special for children, and that really came through with the singing of the children on this CD. The first track ('Twas the Night Before Christmas) immediately caught my attention with the child's narration backed up by the full, lucious tones of the Canadian Brass. Jingle Bells is high-spirited and lots of fun to listen to. I especially love the young soloist for Drummer Boy. There are a few tracks with just the Canadian Brass--as always, they demonstrate wit and charm with their arrangements. Give yourself a treat and buy this CD.

Creative and refreshing........1998-10-18

The Canadian Brass combine their creative talents with the voices of children's choirs to bring a refreshing new sound to traditional Christmas songs! Five stars from me for a great CD!

Average customer rating:

american art song
american art song
american song

Songs of Otto Luening

Manufacturer: Composers Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004RDZL
Release Date: 2000-04-25

Tracks:

Songs Of Otto Luening: She Walks In Beauty
Songs Of Otto Luening: A Farm Picture
Songs Of Otto Luening: The Little Vagabond
Songs Of Otto Luening: Young Love
Songs Of Otto Luening: Wake The Serpent Not
Songs Of Otto Luening: Requiescat
Songs Of Otto Luening: Venilia
Songs Of Otto Luening: Locations And Times
Songs Of Otto Luening: Noon Silence
Songs Of Otto Luening: Visor'd
Songs Of Otto Luening: Infant Joy
Songs Of Otto Luening: Good-Night
Songs Of Otto Luening: I Faint, I Perish
Songs Of Otto Luening: Transience
Songs Of Otto Luening: At Christmas Time
Songs Of Otto Luening: In Weihnachtszeiten
Ach! wer bringt dies schonen Tage
Songs Of Emily Dickinson: Our Share Of Night To Bear
Songs Of Emily Dickinson: 'Hope' Is The Thing With Feathers
Songs Of Emily Dickinson: If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking
Songs Of Emily Dickinson: Experiment To Me
Songs Of Emily Dickinson: I Felt A Cleaving In My Mind
Songs Of Emily Dickinson: Soul, Wilt Thou Toss Again?
Songs Of Emily Dickinson: When I Hoped I Feared
Songs Of Emily Dickinson: Love's Secret
Songs Of Emily Dickinson: The Harp The Monarch Minstrel Swept
Joyce Cycle (Text From James Joyce's 'Chamber Music'): Strings In The Earth And Air
Joye Cycle (Text From James Joyce's 'Chamber Music'): When The Shy Star Goes Forth In Heaven
Joyce Cycle (Text From James Joyce's 'Chamber Music'): My Love Is In A Light Attire
Joyce Cycle (Text From James Joyce's 'Chamber Music'): Sleep Now

Customer Reviews:

american art song.......2000-12-30

This recording is an accesible, refreshingly lyrical collection of 20th century American songs written by Otto Luening. Luening set the poetry of Oscar Wilde, Emily Dickinson, and James Joyce and others in a beautifully vivid and straightforward style. The literature itself is rich and enduring, and Luenning's style is sensitively efficient and illustrative. Ms. Bettina brings a wonderfully clear and graceful musicality in her offering of these works. Mr. Goldsworthy brings a masterful sensitivity to the accompaniment.

american art song.......2000-12-30

This recording is an accesible, refreshingly lyrical collection of 20th century American songs written by Otto Luenning. Luenning set the poetry of Oscar Wilde, Emily Dickinson, and James Joyce and others in a beautifully vivid and straightforward style. The literature itself is rich and enduring, and Luenning's style is sensitively efficient and illustrative. Ms. Bettina brings a wonderfully clear and graceful musicality in her offering of these works. Mr. Goldsworthy brings a masterful sensitivity to the accompaniment.

american song.......2000-12-30

This is a very lyrical, refreshingly accessible collection of 20th century American songs by Otto Luenning. The literature by Emily Dickinson, Oscar Wilde and James Joyce ( to name only a few), that Luenning chose to set is rich and wonderful in itself. Luenning has provided each with direct, clear and sensitive composition. Ms. Bettina gives a graceful rendering of these songs and shows artistry in each piece. Mr. Goldsworthy is first rate pianist who displays great sensitivity and clarity.

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