James Galway's Christmas Carol

very enjoyable

The master, James Galway, shows a depth of feeling in these carols. He never outshines the choir, but his harmonies in some of the arrangements are sheer joy to hear. The choir is a little hard to understand, because this was obviously not recorded in the best of places. There is some hollowness to the sound, but otherwise it is cetain to become a holiday favorite. This is very good for people who do not really care for the flute. There is not the shrillness even in the top notes!! December 15, 2008

Album - Christmas music

Got what I ordered - good price - got it in the timeframe advertized - no problems December 23, 2007

One of the most beautiful holiday albums ever!

This has been one of my favorites for years - I've been through three copies of it already and I keep replacing it. Can't wait to get the CD version this year! November 29, 2007

A Christmas album that's beautiful in its own way

Although I'm a fan of the Christmas recordings that Sir David Willcocks abd Stephen Cleobury did with the King's College Choir, this little gem of a classical Christmas album has its own unexpected beauties. I discovered this Christmas album in the collection of a family member, and was struck by its transcendent loveliness. It's a joyful, uplifting, and exquisite celebration of Christmas, and specifically the Reason for the Season, and it's a skilful blend of the old and the new. It's a perfect blend of instrumental and vocal, lively and tender moments, and James Galway's flute wraps around you like a rich velvety fur coat.

The opening track of Silent Night sets the tone of the recording almost immediately. The choir sings it beautifully, accompanied by Galway's obligato descant. Although I would have liked them to sing the original John Freeman Young translation that we all know, it's still a lovely rendition. The choir shines on some of the other tracks, such as John Rutter's famous Shepherd's Pipe Carol and the Czech Zither Carol, but most of the time Galway accompanies them, contrasting the tenderness of What Child Is This and I Wonder as I Wander with the boisterous Past Three A Clock. Elsewhere, Galway really shines in the many solos he plays throughout the recording. His rendition of John Ireland's The Holy Boy is beautiful beyond words and reason. In more upbeat mood the Fantasia on I Saw Three Ships blends the well-known carol with other carols, and one can really hear a certain joie de vivre here. It's as if Galway really enjoyed playing this piece, and I think the listener can soak in the infectious gaiety here. By the time you reach the closing minutes of this album, you feel like you're in good Christmas cheer, after you've soaked in the distinctly old-world charm of this Christmas offering, far away from the cacophony of commercialism that has ravaged the season many times.

In short, a self-recommending Christmas album that can serve as lovely background music to a Christmas party and yet it stands up well to serious listening. I'm convinced it appeals to those who haven't yet grown to love the ethereal, plaintive yet crystal-clear timbre of the flute, and I think it has something to please everyone, in varying moods and style. November 17, 2007

My Favourite Christmas CD!

This is a great collection of Christmas songs. Although you might not be familiar with several of them, once you hear them you will love them. A perfect recording to play while decorating, or just enjoying the Christmas Tree! Wonderful!
November 21, 2006

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