Title : The Joy Of Christmas
Author : John Francis Wade
Release Date : 19970916
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $9.98
Amazon.com Price : $8.91
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Buyer Reviews : In this CD re-release of an old LP, all of the performers -- Leonard Bernstein, the NY Phil and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir -- seem to be putting their best foot forward even though this was not standard fare for the NY Phil or Bernstein. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has long been known for its rich, full tone, but with Bernstein, they are more precise than usual, both musically and textually -- no mush-mouth diction on this recording. Nor is there any stodgy playing from the NY Phil; Bernstein keeps everything moving at an invigorating pace.
For the most part, this is usual Christmas fare; the most adventurous carols being Patapan and La Virgen Lava Panales, though neither of these is particularly obscure. Even so, part of the comfort of Christmas is the yearly repetition of the familiar, so this recording fits the bill perfectly, both as music to listen to carefully, and as background music during Christmas festivities (Apologies to the purists, but let's be honest, some of us like background music.)
As a bonus, this CD includes cuts from other Bernstein performances with the NY Phil: The Nutcracker Suite, an orchestral version of the Prayer from Hansel and Gretel (particularly lush in this performance) and a stirring Hallelujah Chorus with the Westminster Choir.
