Let It Snow
Chanticleer
Composers: Adolphe Adam, Christmas Traditional, Eric Barnum, Franz Schubert, Franz Xaver Gruber, Hugh Martin / Ralph Blane, John Francis Wade, Jule Styne (Julius Kerwin Stein), Mel Tormé, Richard Storrs Willis, Various Composers
Conductors: Joseph Jennings
Orchestras: Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra
Performers: Adam Ward, Brian Hinman, Carey Bell, Chanticleer, Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra, Eric S. Brenner, Janet Ketchum, Joseph Jennings, Larry Dunlap Trio, Marc Shapiro, Matthew Oltman, Michael McNeil, Sarah Voynow, Todd Wedge, William Sauerland
Label: Warner Classics
Release Date: 10/16/2007
UPC: 081227996710
Album review: Chanticleer's collection of holiday music includes a mix of songs from about three categories: pop songs like "Let it snow!," "The Christmas Song," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"; some classical selections like Schubert's "Ave Maria," and "O Holy Night"; and a generous selection of familiar carols. Most are sung a cappella, but several have instrumental accompaniment. The arrangements are mostly new and contain some ripe, jazz-tinged harmonies. As long as the listener isn't expecting straightforward, traditional versions, the new arrangements have a lot to recommend them -- they're definitely unpredictable, but they don't lose sight of the spirit of the originals. Among the more eccentric are a rhythmically disjointed "God Rest you Merry, Gentlemen," and the medley that closes the album, with snippets of dozens of carols, including "Jingle Bells," accompanied by "Augurs of Spring: The Dance of the Adolescents," from The Rite of Spring. ("How do they do it!?!," you might ask; you'll just have to listen for yourself.) Others, like "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" and "Ave Maria," are fairly unadulterated and conventional, not that that's a bad thing. Chanticleer performs all the songs with its characteristically pure, warm tone; gorgeous blend; and high level of expressiveness. The sound is full and warm. The album should be of interest to listeners looking for traditional Christmas repertoire in a variety of genres who aren't afraid of some surprising but artful departures from the standard versions.
Track details:
1 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Composer: Jule Styne (Julius Kerwin Stein)
Length: 5:10
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra (Orchestra), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble)
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra
2 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
Composer: Mel Tormé
Length: 4:22
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble), Michael McNeil (Soprano (Vocal)), William Sauerland (Alto (Vocals))
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
3 Ding Dong! Merrily on High (French)
Composer: Christmas Traditional
Length: 1:14
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble)
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
4 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Composer: Richard Storrs Willis
Length: 4:35
Performers: Brian Hinman (Tenor (Vocal)), Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble)
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
5 Work(s) - (God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Traditional, Christmas) / Feliz Navidad (Feliciano, José))
Composer: Various Composers
Length: 4:06
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra (Orchestra), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble)
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra
6 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (from Meet Me in St. Louis, film)
Composer: Hugh Martin / Ralph Blane
Length: 6:48
Performers: Adam Ward (Alto (Vocals)), Carey Bell (Clarinet), Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Janet Ketchum (Flute), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble), Marc Shapiro (Celeste)
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
7 Ellens Gesang III ("Ave Maria"), song for voice & piano, D. 839 (Op. 52/6)
Composer: Franz Schubert
Length: 6:28
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra (Orchestra), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble), Sarah Voynow (Harp)
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra
8 Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night)
Composer: Franz Xaver Gruber
Length: 4:09
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Eric S. Brenner (Soprano (Vocal)), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble), Todd Wedge (Tenor (Vocal))
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
9 Sweeter Still, for chorus
Composer: Eric Barnum
Length: 3:27
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Joseph Jennings (Piano), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble)
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
10 Cantique de Noël for voice & orchestra "O Holy Night"
Composer: Adolphe Adam
Length: 4:43
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble), Matthew Oltman (Tenor (Vocal))
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
11 O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste fidelis)
Composer: John Francis Wade
Length: 2:37
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble)
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
12 Work(s) - (Holiday Cheer, A Suite of Seasonal Songs - Jingle Bells (Pierpont, James Lord) / Twelve Days of Chr)
Composer: Various Composers
Length: 3:50
Performers: Chanticleer (Vocal Ensemble), Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra (Orchestra), Larry Dunlap Trio (Ensemble)
Conductor: Joseph Jennings
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chanticleer Holiday Orchestra
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