Child of Grace

Track Listings

1. Adam Lay Ybounden - Matthew larkin

2. O My Dear Heart - Elenor Daley

3. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - Malcolm V. Edwards

4. What Sweeter Music - Elanor Daley

5. Carol for the Animals - Patrick Wedd

6. I Sing of a Maiden - Eleanor Daley

7. Mary's Song - Knut Nystedt

8. I Sing of a Maiden - Patrick Hadley

9. How Far is it to Bethlehem? - trad. English / arr. David Willcocks

10. In the Bleak Midwinter - Frances McCollin

11. Proface, welcome!

12. Sir Christemas

13. The Wassail

14. Omnes gentes plaudite

15. Here comes holly

16. Ivy, chief of trees

17. Nay, ivy, nay

18. Now have good day!

19. The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy - trad. Trinidadian / arr. Stephen Hatfield

20. The Huron Carol - trad. Canadian / arr. Edward Henderson

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
This album brings together some of Elektra's favourite pieces of Christmas repertoire in English: thirteen short sacred works - nine outstanding and lyrical offerings by some of Canada's best living composter and a further four from Norway, England, and the US. The music may be new to you, but the words will resonate deeply, as many have been sung for decades and even centuries in other settings. Enjoy this gift of Christmas tumes - it's music mot only for the bleak midwinter but also all year long!

Tracks:

Kaddisch
Laudate Dominum
Ave Maria
Amazing Grace
Breit' Uber Mein Haupt
L'assedio Di Corinto: L' Ora Fatal S'appressa... Guisto Ciel !
Pie Jesu
Der Vierjahrige Posten: Gott! hore Meine Stimme!
Sanctus
Maria Stuarda: Preghiera Di Maria
Lacrimosa
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: Take Care Of This House - Sumi Jo/Phil Chor Koln/Susan Graham
Nun's Chor/Casanova: Laura's Song
Gigi: Say A Prayer For me Tonight
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child

Amazon.com

This program seems designed primarily to display soprano Sumi Jo's fabulous singing and famous stylistic eclecticism. However, it also exhibits an admirable religious inclusiveness, encompassing expressions of faith from the Latin liturgy to Negro spirituals; there is even a Richard Strauss song that is essentially a paean to love. An incongruous note is struck by a nun's song from an operetta by Benatzky that is a corny Viennese waltz and by a soundtracklike arrangement of a 16th-century Ave Maria. Ranging from Mozart to Broadway, this musical mix is held together by Sumi Jo's ravishingly beautiful, pure, warm voice and the way she can color and inflect it, and by her mastery of every style (though not every language; her German in particular is unintelligible). Her intonation is impeccable, her breath control incredible. Jo's top notes soar triumphantly, and she can sustain them indefinitely, with enough power left to make a crescendo at the end. Highlights include Ravel's "Kaddisch," which sends shivers down the spine; arias from operas by Rossini and Donizetti; and arias from sacred works by Gounod and Fauré. Of two spirituals, the second one is simpler and more convincing. The accompanying forces are excellent; James Conlon doubles as pianist when not conducting. Susan Graham also makes an appearance in the moving invocation "Take Care of This House" from Bernstein's 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Nice Voice.......2007-05-06

Sumi Jo has a beautiful voice but her renditions of Motherless Child and Amazing Grace were not impressive at all. The vibrato was too uncontrollable. The Ave Maria was so,so. I did not hear the richeness others have declared in their assesments. Don't get me wrong, the instrument is quite beautiful but only in some selected selections.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-17

"Music and poetry emerge from man's desire to give thanks, to praise and to pray to his gods. One of the magical powers of the human voice is that it can fly, on the wings of songs (a la Mendelssohn) to heaven and appear to be in direct communication with God." Therefore, it is no surprise that prayer is omnipresent throughout the history of music. Sumi Jo has chosen an excellent representation of songs including most styles and periods which include : Baroque (Caccini)-Classical (Mozart)-Contemporary (Preisner)-Romantic Opera (Rossini,Donizetti)-German 'Singspiel'(Schubert)-Lieder (Richard Strauss)-French church music (Gounod ,Faure)-traditional music (spiritual)-Jewish melodies (Ravel)-Viennese operetta (Johann Strauss) and the American musical (Bernstein).

Sumi Jo, born in Korea,is a much sought after coloratura soprano, having triumphed on stage, and in recitals all over the world. Not being fond of coloraturas, I make an exception for her voice, because of its depth along with the very high register. She shows a great deal of sensitivity to all of her varied selections on this disc, and each delivery is a 'gem' unto itself.

I must personally comment on those works that I particularly enjoy. Hearing her sing Mozart's 'Laudate Dominum' was a real treat; it doesn't matter how often one hears that lovely piece, just like all of his music, it 'wears' well. The 'Pie Jesu' was absolutely stunning as Sumi Jo sang it, and it is a pleasure for me to hear the selection from "GIGI" by Lerner & Loewe; not being a great broadway fan, I have always liked that specific musical. I think because it was well-done when I saw it years and years ago.

This disc is abolutely totally enjoyable. There is something for all musical tastes, and the conductor/pianist James Conlon does a great job pulling it together!!!!!

Sumi Jo- coloratura supreme.......2006-04-09

One word: Lacrimosa. It haunts you and will stay with you long after you hear it. I actually forced several if my coworkers to listen to it many of which are not opera fans and even they could not argue the beauty of it. One of my coworkers was actual on the verge of tears by the end of the song.

The rest of the album is enchanting as well as breath taking. I am a harsh critic when it comes to singers so I do not give those compliments very often, nor am I easily moved by singers but Sumi Jo has certainly done that with this album.

My only complaint is that I would have liked to hear her take of "Ave Maria" by Schubert which, while recorded many times over, would complimented her voice perfectly due to it's simplicity. "Sing low sweet chariot" would have been another great one to hear but as far as spirtuals are concerned I was very happy with her acepella version of "Amazing Grace." I was never a huge fan of "Amazing Grace" since it's been done a thousand times over but she brought such seetness and emotion to it. Of course I am kind of biased becuase I offically hate the "belting" version of this song and that's how it's usually done. It's nice to hear a simple, straight forward version.

My last comment is that it's nice to hear Sumi Jo sing less operatic pieces considering most opera singers are rarely bold enough to sing anything other than classical pieces, excluding Renee Fleming of recent.

Prayerful and beautiful.......2005-11-14

It is a refreshing change to have a collection of arias on a CD with a title that actually bears some relevance to the contents. This is indeed a prayerful collection. That means, of course, that you have to be in the appropriately contemplative mood in order to appreciate it.

Another nice change is that the orchestral accompaniment enhances the singing rather than just tagging along as an afterthought, which often seems to be the case. It is fitting that James Conlon gets equal billing here. This is splendid singing to splendid music.

Sumi Jo is comfortable in any language and in a broad range of styles. I was uncertain how she would tackle songs like Amazing Grace and Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child. I need not have worried. In the latter she reveals a soulfulness that fits the lyrics perfectly.

The only track not worthy of this collection is Bernstein's Take Care of This House. I suppose, as it is a prayer, it was an obvious song to include, and Jo sings it very well, but it is just a very poor song. That still leaves 14 excellent tracks that, if you are a lover of good singing, you will want in your collection.

A spectalce of voice and vocalization.......2004-12-29

I bought this used from an Amazon.com dealer and it came with a cutout on the left side of the CD box. Can this specacular CD possibly have gone out of print by Christmas 2004? If so we have lost one of the benchmark recordings of this splendid artist.

Never is there a weak moment in this incredibly beautiful collection of classical bleeding chunks and spirituals. I don't think you'll confuse Sumi for your favorite spiritual singer in "Amazing Grace" and "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child" but she is magnificent singing the complete and incomplete tunes elsewhere on the CD by famous classical composers including Mozart, Richard Strauss, Rossini, Schubert and Donizetti, to name some of them.

She is in wonderful voice and fresh-faced for the Loewe-Lerner "Say a prayer for me tonight" and does an equally nice job with Susan Graham accompanying Leonard Bernstein's "Take care of this house" from "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue". I'm not much for this kind of music -- I bought this exclusively for her rendition of Mozart's "Laudate Dominum" -- but it adds a dimension to the concert that brings it into the realm of popular Broadway tunes.

This is a wonderful concert of familiar and not so familiar songs from a singer whose voice is eloquent, beautiful and rich, with significant range and span from PPP to FFF. Sumi Jo controls her voice well throughout the concert, giving everyone something to think about regardelss of musical preference. This might have been improved if she'd included a Beatles tune -- maybe "Elenor Rigby" or "Yesterday" -- accompanied by the orchestra and James Conlon's direction. But it stands with any similar collection by any singer as it is.

Average customer rating:

Amazing skills, yet too busy for listening enjoyment
John Bayless Christmas Rhapsody
best concert pianist in the world
My favorite of the season
Best Piano Christmas CD ever!

Christmas Rhapsody

Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0002VEQ5C
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL / ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH / HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS / "GOING HOME" NEW WORLD SYMPHONY
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN / DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY
THE CHRISTMAS SONG
RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER / LET IT SNOW
AVE MARIA
O COME O COME EMANUEL / O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM / THE FIRST NOEL
WINTER WONDERLAND / JINGLE BELLS
SILENT NIGHT / O HOLY NIGHT
SWEET LITTLE JESUS BOY / AWAY IN A MANGER / WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
JESU JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING / AMAZING GRACE
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
WHITE CHRISTMAS

Customer Reviews:

Amazing skills, yet too busy for listening enjoyment.......2006-12-13

I can't believe how well John Bayless has mastered the piano. This is very obvious from the first song that you ever hear him play. I'd really like to watch him play in concert. However, the songs on this album are too much work for me to listen to. The music is so busy that I can hardly concentrate on the melody and it hardly gives me the peace I expect from traditional Christmas music. Some of my favorites for this category are Jim Brickman, David Huntsinger, and Tim Janis.

John Bayless Christmas Rhapsody.......2006-02-13

Christmas Rhapsody has quickly become one of our all time favorite Chistmas CDs. We love it so much that it is February 10th and we are still listening to it.

best concert pianist in the world.......2005-08-18

John Bayless is the best concert pianist in the world. This album shows his genuis. Perfect music to listen to any time of the year.
This is the best Christmas album on the market.

My favorite of the season.......2004-12-31

This is the holiday music I have listened to throughout the season, and it is so beautiful I cannot bear to put it away yet. I love Bayless's work at any time, and these arrangements simply take my breath away. His blending of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with "Going Home" from the New World Symphony is particulary poignant. And his signature "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring/Amazing Grace" is seasonless and timeless. Christmas is over, but get this anyway; it's wonderful.

Best Piano Christmas CD ever!.......2004-12-15

David Lanz? Jim Brickman? John Tesh? Move over guys... John Bayless has done what no others could... Taken the xmas classics to a new level of musical enjoyment! By combining the songs together, and making them so rich and full of life, this will be my favorite Christmas CD for a looooooooooong time.

Average customer rating:

Simply Amazing!
One world
Beautiful
Breathtaking!
Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

No Boundaries

Manufacturer: Heads Up
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Voices from Heaven
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The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Blessed

ASIN: B00070EBDK
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

Jabulani-Rejoice
Homeless
Awu Wemadoda
Amazing Grace
Dona Nobis Pacem
Ngingenwe Emoyeni (Wind Of The Spirit Of God)
Umzuzu Nayi Ujesu
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Sanctus (Heilig, Heilig, Heilig)
Ave Verum Corpus
Lifikile Ivangeli
Walil' Umtwana (The Child Is Crying)

Amazon.com

Ladysmith Black Mambazo proved itself pliable enough when the a capella group was heavily featured on Paul Simon's Graceland. Other crossover collaborations have followed, but few work as seamlessly as this collection, which features old LBM songs, Zulu traditionals and European classical material done in collaboration with the English Chamber Orchestra. The rich vocal sound literally fuses with the classical musicians in much the same way as a classical choral group does. To its credit, the orchestra (and arranger Isak Roux) loosens up to fit the more oral/aural traditions of the singers--the music is less precise and reliant on virtuosity. The orchestra provides a particularly sympathetic counterpoint on the traditional "Awu Wemadoda" and is downright playful sounding on "Dona Nobis Pacem." Sounding as elegant and reverent, Ladysmith more than meets the orchestra halfway on the famous Bach choral piece "Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring." Making borders and boundaries irrelevant, this is a work of startling beauty that couldn't be improved upon. --Tad Hendrickson

More Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Graceland
Gift of the Tortoise
Raise Your Spirit Higher

Journey of Dreams
Gospel Songs
Umthombo Wamanzi

Customer Reviews:

Simply Amazing!.......2007-02-12

I have been a fan of Ladysmith for many years and have a few of their albums but this is simply amazing! Music truly has no boundaries and they have used their God given talent to touch the lives of many people. It doesn't sound like it's possible, but they have really crossed many boundaries and this album is just another example of how far one can go if only they believe!

One world.......2007-01-12

This CD has multipal messages, but the one that strikes me most is the juxtaposition of European "classical" and African "classical". The human soul is one and at the same time unique. That message comes through clearly, and as a bonus, the powerful messages that each track provides in both content and style must not be missed.

Beautiful.......2005-04-26

I had never heard of this group before and since I like to investigate different types of music, I decided to give it a try. I have truly enjoyed this CD. The more I listen, the more I like. I would highly recommend.

Breathtaking! .......2005-02-11

When I first saw the album, I thought---what???? Traditionally, Ladysmith Black Mambazo sings acapella with the notable exceptions of the times they accompany Paul Simon. The group sings a beautiful, close harmony and uses vocalese techniques to provide the occasional percussive click or ululation. Still, the lineup was hard to resist.

"No Boundaries" is pretty amazing stuff, let me tell you. With the help of the English Chamber Orchestra directed by Ralph Gothoni, the two groups meet together on each other's common ground. Ladysmith sings traditional "Amazing Grace", Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" Schubert's "Sanctus." Then the orchestra gets into the African groove for music from South Africa.

Altogether a beautifully arranged, sung, and orchestrated work. If you are new to Ladysmith, this is a good CD to start. If you're an old fan, you'll definitely want "No Boundaries" to complete your collection.

Beautiful. Simply beautiful........2005-02-05

The collaboration between Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the English Chamber Orchestra cannot be improved. The sound that both ensembles make together truly is beautiful indeed, as the original Mambazo songs (of which includes "Jabulani (Rejoice)", "Lifikile Ivangeli (The Gospel Arrives)"), the Zulu traditional selections ("Awu Wemadoda (Hey, Man)", "Walil'Umntwana (The Child is Crying)") to the classicals "Dona Nobis Pacem", a joyous song in its own right, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Ave Verum Corpus". This album definately and distinctly proves that music has no boundaries. Mambazo founder and lead singer Joseph Shabalala and Orchestra conductor Ralf Gothoni (along with arranger Isak Roux) have brought to their many fans a selection of compelling and captivating tunes.

Average customer rating:

Sacred Songs & Spirituals

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Spirituals in Concert

ASIN: B0007XZUF0
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

Sanctus
Ave Maria, Op.52/6
Panis Angelicus
O Divine Redeemer
The Holy City
Amazon Grace
Greensleeves (What Child Is This)
Let Us Break Bread Together
I Wonder As I Wander
Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Gesu Bambino (When Blossoms Flowered)

Tracks:

I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
My Lord, What A Morning
Do Lawd, Oh Do Lawd
There's A Man Going Round - Jessye Norman
Ev'ry Time I Feel De Spirit - Dalton Baldwin
There Is A Balm In Gilead - Dalton Baldwin
Gospel Train - Dalton Baldwin
Great Day - Dalton Baldwin
Mary Had A Baby
Live A-Humble
Walk Together Children
Were You There - Jessye Norman
Hush! Somebody's Callin' My Name
Soon Ah Will Be Done
Give Me Jesus

Average customer rating:

Historic Organs of North Carolina

Manufacturer: Organ Hist. Society
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0006A9GJA
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Average customer rating:

Renaissance was better than this....
my favorite christmas cd
Great for a snowy night and a quite house

A Renaissance Christmas

Manufacturer: Ex Cathedra Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Baroque Christmas
A Medieval Christmas
English Medieval Christmas
Medieval Christmas
Christmas Music from Medieval

ASIN: B000054BDP
Release Date: 2000-10-01

Tracks:

Hail Mary full of grace (Anonymous, 15th-century)
Nowell: Tidings true (Anonymous, 15th-century)
There is no rose (carols) (Anonymous, 15th-century)
Noel, noel (motet) (Antoine Busnois, d. 1492)
C'etait a l'heure (noel) (Anonymous)
Noe, noe (motet) (Antoine Brumel, fl.ca.1500)
Lullay: Als I lay (Anonymous, 15th-century)
Nowell: Out of your sleep (Anonymous, 15th-century)
Marvel not, Joseph (Anonymous, 15th-century)
Alleluia: A newe work (carols) (Anonymous, 15th-century)
Conditor alme siderum (hymn) (Guillaume Dufay, ca.1400-1474)
Green groweth the holly (carol) (Henry VIII, 1491-1547)
Tander naken (instrumental consort) (carol) (Henry VIII, 1491-1547)
Sweet Jesus (King Henry VIII's Book, ca. 1515)
E la don don (Anonymous, pub. 1556)
Riu, riu, chiu (villancicos) (Anonymous, pub. 1556)
Es ist ein' Ros' (arr. Micheal Praetorius, 1571-1621)
Coventry Carol (Anonymous, pub. 1591)
Joseph lieber (melody) (Anonymous)
Hodie Christus natus est (motet) (G.P. Palestrina, ca.1525-1594)
In dulci jubilo (melody) (Anonymous)
Sweet was the song (lute song) (John Attey,+ca.1640)
Greensleeves (ballad tune) (arr. Thysius Lute-Book,ca.1600)
Psallite unigenite (motet) (Michael Praetorious)
Branle de l'Official (dance tune) (Thoinot Arbeau, 1519-1595)

Album Description

Produced in association with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, "A Renaissance Christmas" celebrates the winter holiday. Selections include: 15th-century English carols, "Green grow'th the holly" and Taundernaken from the Songbook of Henry VIII; noels by Busnois, Dufay and Brumel; late Renaissance motets, lute songs, villancicos and instrumental dances by Palestrina, Attey, Arbeau and Praetorious' "Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen."

Customer Reviews:

Renaissance was better than this.... .......2007-01-11

In purchasing this CD, I was anticipating music that reflects the excitement that was the Renaissance. Instead, I felt I was listening to middle age dirges. I confess, I've not listened to the CD again.

my favorite christmas cd.......2005-10-31

Usually period music is so poorly produced and cliche, but this CD is flawless. The quality of sound is amazing; the beauty of the music transcends time and space. If you buy one Christmas CD, buy this one. It's the perfect elegant moodsetter for the season.

Great for a snowy night and a quite house.......2000-12-06

I first heard cuts off this CD on the syndicated early music program Harmonia and was enchanted by it. I ordered it the next day and wasn't disappointed after it arrived. The CD comprises various English, French, & Italian carols, dance tunes, noels, and melodies from the 16th century.

I'm not a trained musician so please forgive my lack of detailed musical critique. The tracks consist mostly of the heavenly vocals of the six members of the New York's Ensemble For Early Music, with a mixture of period instruments thrown in for good measure. Listening to it all, you can easily picture an advent service in a 16th cent. French cathedral. If you're looking for a beatiful peaceful collection of music to add to your holiday collection, this is it.

Customer Reviews:

Spend your money elsewhere.......2006-01-26

I haven't even listened through the entire CD. I don't think I can bring myself to spend my time doing so. Where to begin. From the selections I've heard, the chorus sounds incredibly thin and weak, the organ overpowering them on numerous occasions. Part of the blame in that, however, goes to the mix...the choir not getting enough mic to balance out the instruments. That happens too often in chorus/instrument recordings and it drives me batty. The music selections aren't so inspiring either. You would do much better devoting your hard-earned dollars to Eric Whitacre's acappella choral works, or any of his contemporaries.

The Promise of Ages : A Christmas Collection

Average customer rating:

Superb Choral Christmas Music
Unique and special
Beautiful Harmonies and Vocalizations
A "top ten" Christmas album
A "top ten" Christmas album

The Promise of Ages : A Christmas Collection

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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The Naxos Book of Carols
Carol Album: Seven Centuries of Christmas
Christus Natus Est: Early English Christmas
Mass for Christmas Morning
Noel: Christmas at Kings

ASIN: B00000DFNP
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Nos Galan (Deck the Halls)
Lullay, Thou Tiny Little Child
Ther Is No Rose of Swych Vertu
I Sing of a Maiden
There Is No Rose from "A Ceremony of Carols"
O Magnum Mysterium (Responsory at Matins for Christmas Day)
Song of the Nuns of Chester, Verses 1-3: "Qui Creavit Celum"
Fader of Heven (Ca. 1450 Mystery Play)
Song of the Nuns of Chester, Verses 4-6: Lactat Mater Domini
O Magnum Mysterium (Responsory at Matins for Christmas Day)
Lullay, Lullow: I Saw a Swete Semly Syght
I Wonder as I Wander
Staines Morris (Blessed Be That Maid Marie)
Hayl, Mary, Ful of Grace
Seven Joys of Mary
Illuminare, Jerusalem
Good People All
Sing We the Virgin Mary
In Bethlehem City
Christmas Eve
Hodie Christus Natus Est (Antiphon from Chester Processional)
Jesu, Thou the Virgin-Born
As Dew in Aprille from " a Ceremony of Carols"
Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

Amazon.com

No one has recorded more innovative Christmas anthologies than Andrew Parrott--and this disc is no exception. The Promise of Ages presents a collection of wonderful seasonal music arranged for women's voices (all arrangements were either made or sanctioned by the composers). The selection includes 15th-century English works such as "There is no rose of swych vertu"; traditional tunes both genuine ("Deck the Halls" in an 18th-century Welsh arrangement for harp) and fake (J. J. Niles's "I Wonder as I Wander" and "Lullay, thou little tiny child"); rollicking Irish dance tunes; and 20th-century works by such composers as Britten, Holst, and Judith Weir on traditional Christmas texts. One ingenious and effective suite combines Peter Maxwell Davies's "O magnum mysterium" and "The Fader of Heven" with the 14th-century "Song of the Nuns of Chester." All of the performances are exemplary, but Emily van Evera deserves special praise for her beautifully simple rendition of the Niles tunes. This collection can stand alongside Parrott's The Carol Album as the thinking person's Christmas albums. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Superb Choral Christmas Music.......2007-01-20

Andrew Parrott, and the Taverner Concert and Choir have done it again !

This is a superb collection of traditional music from the past, some of it familiar, some not so well known, all performed so very well.

Unique and special.......2007-01-09

Loved this album the entire thing. An English flavour.
Especially loved the Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending..
heart stirring. A great way to get into the Christmas
spirit and lift your heart.

Beautiful Harmonies and Vocalizations.......2000-12-13

Like another reviewer, I am thrilled at Lo! He Comes, as well as with the unfamiliar setting for Hark the Herald Angels Sing and the beautiful Sing We the Virgin Mary.

If you love beautiful vocalizations, especially rare soprano-alto harmonizations, this is the album for you.

A "top ten" Christmas album.......2000-11-13

If this album contained nothing but it's splendid rendition of Madan's Lo! He Comes, with Clouds Descending, the album would be worth owning. Fortunately, the entire album is a brillant mix of voices, instrumentals and performance styles; the resulting album can be played several times in successiion without becoming repetative - no small feat for a Christmas album.

The album ranges from the 13th century Nuns of Chester to contemporary composers - Judith Weir - or nearly comtemporary - Britten, Holst ... with excellent sequencing so that no piece seems out of place.

The instrumentation varies from the traditional organ with SATB choir to fiddle, flute, concertina and cello. This provides the variety that makes the album so listenable.

For traditional Christmas music this album is a must.

A "top ten" Christmas album.......2000-11-13

The instrumentation varies from the traditional organ with SATB choir to fiddle, flute, concertina and cello. This provides the variety that makes the album so listenable.

Tracks:

In the Spring with Plow and Harrow - Quincy Choral Society
Come Ye Thankful People, Come - Quincy Choral Society
Heap High the Farmer's Wintry Hoard - Quincy Choral Society
For the Beauty of the Earth - Quincy Choral Society
Over the River and Through the Woods - QCS Kids and Friends
Now Thank We All Our God - Quincy Choral Society
He Gives the Grain - Jeff Cruikshank
We Gather Together - Quincy Choral Society
All Good Gifts - Laurie Macintosh
Baseball Turkeys - QCS Kids and Friends
Give Thanks - Quincy Choral Society
Amazing Grace - aka Pelican Groove
Ode to Joy - Quincy Choral Society

Album Description

The creators of the Thanksgiving CD are a group of regular people in the greater Boston area who feel Thanksgiving is a truly great American holiday that should be celebrated with MUSIC! It is a holiday for all Americans, regardless of religion or background.

This CD celebrates the thankfulness we all share, not just in November, but throughout the year.

Artists include the Quincy Choral Society, QCS Kids and Friends, a.k.a. Pelican Groove, and Jeff Cruikshank.

Fundraising The creators of the Thanksgiving CD feel that sharing with others is a good way to show our thanks for the bounty we enjoy in this country.

Therefore, the Thanksgiving CD is offered as a fundraiser for organizations.

It's a simple strategy:

Buy the CDs at a discount and resell them at a profit! A Fundraising Toolkit makes fundraising as easy as possible.

Customer Reviews:

A Pig in a Poke.......2006-11-24

This was a very disappointing CD. I was excited to get a "recommended" CD coupled along with another I had purchased. Unfortunately this is a collection of poorly produced and poorly performed music by a local church choir. Whlie there is certainly good reason to produce and offer a CD to one's own congregation, this one should never have been marketed nationally. Save your money on this one.

May We Be Truly Thankful.......2005-11-05

"Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" is the experience of a church music service without actually going to church. There are very few CDs out there that are specifically dedicated to Thanksgiving, but this one is a good outing.

The Quincy Choral Society presents a program that might be performed in your local church on Thanksgiving Eve. It is a good mix of traditional hymns, carols and popular songs. The program suggests an autumn setting complete with rustic backdrops and a plentiful harvest.

The CD sums up the program with the following message: "We in America live in an extraordinary time of bounty. Never before in history have so many people had so much: nutritious food, ample clothing, spacious housing, good health. For all this we should be thankful every day. Let us consciously reject destructive influences in our society, and instead embrace a thankful attitude for the good fortune we enjoy in our country -- not just at Thanksgiving in November, but every day throughout the year."

When listening to this CD, my mind wanders back to my early childhood and memories of church concerts at Thanksgiving: memories of friends and family gathered around the supper table; memories of the wonderful smells and aromas from the kitchen as my mother prepared Thanksgiving dinner; thoughts of the coming Christmas season; my feeble attempts, in grade school, at making a paper turkey from a drawing of my hand (!); and of all the things we have to be thankful for.

The description indicates Ludwig Van Beethoven as the author. He did write the music for "Ode to Joy" which is included in this CD, but there are many composers and authors represented in this program, both classical and contemporary.

The performers include: The Quincy Choral Society, Johanna Nichols (flute), Marilyn Whipple (piano and organ), QCS Kids & Friends, Jeff Cruikshank (guitar and vocals), Laurie Macintosh (vocals), and AKA Pelican Groove (a capella vocals). The performances were recorded at various churches and schools in Quincy and Milton, MA.

Thanksgiving is certainly a time to reflect on the bounty and richness of life, and this CD will certainly bring out those memories. If you enjoy choral music, you will count your blessings and be thankful you purchased this CD of Thanksgiving hymns and carols. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Tenor at the Movies
amazinb grace
"shades of Great Tenor's from the past to present!"

Amazing Grace

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Tito Beltrán:Romantica

ASIN: B00005NONW
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Caruso
Funiculi, Funicula
O Sole Mio
Santa Lucia
When A Child Is Born
Guardian Angels
Ave Maria
Stabat Mater: Cujus Aminam
Requiem: Ingemisco
Panis Angelicus
Pie Jeus
Ave Maria
Adeste Fideles
Jul, Jul Stralande Jul
O Helga Natt
Silent Night
Amazing Grace

Customer Reviews:

Tenor at the Movies.......2002-07-18

Beltran is the best tenor since LANZA! Powerful voice that sends chills up and down your spine and has an eerie resemles to the late,great LANZA.

amazinb grace.......2001-12-07

i'd never hear this tenor before...! now i'm looking all over to hear more things he's done, or other cd recordings, refreshing to hear his talent. just like ramon vargas, he brings something that is not the same ole thing to what we've all heard a million times sung by the same ole tenors.. its time for new blood.... this guys are great!

"shades of Great Tenor's from the past to present!".......2001-11-25

When I first heard Tito Beltran several thoughts ran through my mind...just when you thought you've heard it all...voices from the past Caruso, Lanza, Peerce...bringing us up to the present with Carerras, Domingo, Pavarotti and Bocelli...this gifted vocalist has proven he can stand up to the best and then some.

Producer James Fitzpatrick has Beltran singing one of my all-time favorite Christmas Carols from the past "GUARDIAN ANGELS"(Harpo Marx/Gerda Bellenson), played this recording as a youth by Mario Lanza, almost wore it out, quickly became a "Christmas Classic" around my house during the Holiday Season.

Completely captivating performances by this young tenor...featuring arrangements and orchestrations by Paul Bateman and world-renoun The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra... the Crouch End Festival Chorus and Crouch End Festival Children's Choir, under the guidance of David Temple(Choir Master) on selected tracks...with some stand outs ~ "WHEN A CHILD IS BORN"(Jay/Zacar)..."PIE JESU"(Lloyd Webber)...entire CD is a "Collectors Dream", can't say enough about this future star in the heavens ~ TITO BELTRAN!

You might try other albums by Tito Beltran on Silva Screen Records ~ "A Tenor At The Movies"(SILKD-6019)..."ROMANTICA"(SILKD-6009)..."TITO"(SILKD-6005)...please check out my reviews on amazon.com/music

Total Time: 66:41 on 17 Tracks ~ Silva Screen Records SILKD-6031 ~ (2001)

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

The Mean Reds [Explicit Lyrics] [EP]

America Remembers

Ain't That a Bitch [Original recording remastered]

Songs of Courage

Pale Blond Hell [Import]

All-4-One

Always Hear The Harmony: The Gospel Sessions

Arriaga: Sämtliche Steichquartette

Acadie [Limited Edition] [Import]

Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods

Bad Brains [Explicit Lyrics]

3DVOZ [Import]

25 Rolas

Leave the Light on

Giants of Jazz: Guitar

1. Adam Lay Ybounden - Matthew larkin
2. O My Dear Heart - Elenor Daley
3. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - Malcolm V. Edwards
4. What Sweeter Music - Elanor Daley
5. Carol for the Animals - Patrick Wedd
6. I Sing of a Maiden - Eleanor Daley
7. Mary's Song - Knut Nystedt
8. I Sing of a Maiden - Patrick Hadley
9. How Far is it to Bethlehem? - trad. English / arr. David Willcocks
10. In the Bleak Midwinter - Frances McCollin
11. Proface, welcome!
12. Sir Christemas
13. The Wassail
14. Omnes gentes plaudite
15. Here comes holly
16. Ivy, chief of trees
17. Nay, ivy, nay
18. Now have good day!
19. The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy - trad. Trinidadian / arr. Stephen Hatfield
20. The Huron Carol - trad. Canadian / arr. Edward Henderson

Graceland	Gift of the Tortoise	Raise Your Spirit Higher
Journey of Dreams	Gospel Songs	Umthombo Wamanzi