Erich Kunzel, conductor
It doesn't do anything to set itself apart, but a decent enough Christmas release. On 12 of the 14 tracks, the orchestra is joined by vocalists. The performances are up to par and the recording is up to Telarc's standards, I just wince when I hear pop tunes sung by operatic voices. It works fine for Silent Night, but not I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. Also, the choruses sing a majority of unison lines instead of harmony, which seems like a waste.
Tracks: The album starts off with a tasteful medley of tunes sung by the Indiana University Singing Hoosiers. The disc then hits a rough patch as we're offered childrens' choirs and one of my least favorite carols, I Wonder As I Wander, an adapted folk tune with lyrics that concern Christ's death moreso than his birth. Things get better in the middle of the disc: the Hoosiers are back for a straight-ahead take on It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, followed by the King's Singers version of Silent Night (bonus points for the sparse, tasteful accompaniment and German lyrics), then a Bolero-inspired take on Little Drummer Boy, one of two instrumentals on the disc and the best cut on the disc. (Mark, your bias is showing.) The rest of the disc is just okay - nothing offensive, but not much to get excited about, either. A lot of it comes off as a soundtrack for a Christmas movie set in a bustling department store. (That last comment most likely a product of my wife having The Hallmark Channel on 24/7 this past month.)
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.
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