Mannheim Steamroller - Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Celebration

Prog rock lives! This fusion of rock, jazz, and classical, driven by synthesizers, excess, and dry-ice fog, was once the domain of '70s groups like Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. But Mannheim Steamroller has kept prog rock's intoxicated spirit and bright spectacle alive, mainly through 20 years of Christmas albums and concerts, and Christmas Celebration won't disappoint their many worldwide fans. With its overblown arrangements of standards and readily accessible new pieces, it combines a variety of styles with a heavy mix of instruments and voices. Noteworthy are the choirs and soloists featured on various tracks, including the Cambridge Singers and Johnny Mathis on "O Tannenbaum" as well as lesser-knowns like Germany's Bielefelder Kinderchor and the University of Michigan Glee Club. All told, it's a full, pretty-paper assault, an aural smorgasbord laid out with bold strokes and many a glittering bauble. --Martin Keller Amazon.com

Manhem Steamroller disc

Listening to this disc brought back many memories to me and my husband. He was so thrilled that I was able to find it at such a good price. February 27, 2008

Enjoyable music

Anyone who has heard Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas music knows that it is enjoyable. Buy it--enough said. February 8, 2008

Mannheim Steamroller - Christmas Celebration

I thought I had heard some collections of Christmas music that were varied, but "Christmas Celebration" by Mannheim Steamroller really takes the (fruit) cake! Not only are the arrangements radically different from track to track, so is the instrumentation. Everything in their arsenal of sounds from soft acoustic instruments (Lute, Dulcimer, Violin) to Synthesizers and boisterous percussion instruments is represented here. You get a whole range of musical emotions, from the unbridled joy of "Deck the Halls" and "Good King Wenceslas", to the quieter and more introspective "Veni Veni" and "Away in a Manager". Two tracks in this collection stand out from the others in my mind. The first, their rendition of "Carol of the Bells", for which they sampled the sounds of handbells then fed them into a synthesizer and used them in suprising new ways. The second track is the closing number "Stille Nacht (Silent Night)". The simple elegance of a violin carrying the melody, a chorus singing softly in the background and finally the sound of a child's toy piano. The track (and the CD) ends with the whoosh of synthesizer (falling snow perhaps?) and the sound of sleigh bells jingling as the sound fades out slowly. A well done collection of songs done as only Mannheim Steamroller could. You will want this CD for your collection. It's worth the money. January 30, 2008

Excellent Christmas Music !!

Both my sister and I really loved this CD. The music of Mannheim Steamroller is very masterful... The instrumentation is perfect! We both highly recommend you purchase this CD.

January 9, 2008

Mannheim-excellence

Still my favorite Holiday Music. I have purchased this item more times than I can remember. My friends here it and want a copy so it becomes a standard instant Christmas gift. Can't wait for next years' surprise. December 27, 2007

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