Embark on a festive journey with Peter Breiner's "A Christmas Choral Spectacular," a delightful collection of classic Christmas carols and choral arrangements. Released in 2005 under the Naxos label, this album features the renowned Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Breiner himself, with the enchanting soprano vocals of Margaret Burdett and Cecily Atkinson.
Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 4 minutes, this album is a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary Christmas music. Breiner, known for his exceptional arranging skills, has meticulously crafted each piece to reveal the essence of the melodies in simple yet captivating piano reductions. The tracklist includes beloved carols such as "Ding Dong! Merrily on High," "O Christmas Tree," "Silent Night," and "O Come All Ye Faithful," along with lesser-known gems like "The Infant King" and "Quem Pastores Laudavere."
The album's release date is slightly ambiguous, with sources citing both November 1, 2004, and October 18, 2005. However, the 2005 release date is more widely accepted. "A Christmas Choral Spectacular" is a testament to Peter Breiner's musical prowess and his ability to breathe new life into timeless Christmas classics. Whether you're a fan of classical choral music or simply looking to enhance your holiday playlist, this album is sure to bring joy and warmth to your festive season.
2005 Naxos2005 Naxos
Tracks
Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Arr. P. Breiner for mixed choir)Traditional, Cecily Atkinson, Lynton Atkinson, Margaret Burdett, Nigel Perrin, Jonathan Prentice, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
Coventry Carol (Arr. P. Breiner for mixed choir)Anonymous, Cecily Atkinson, Lynton Atkinson, Margaret Burdett, Nigel Perrin, Jonathan Prentice, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
Deck the HallTraditional, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum) [arr. P. Breiner for mixed choir]Traditional, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
The Infant KingTraditional, Lynton Atkinson, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
Adeste fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful): O come, all ye faithful [Adeste, fideles]John Francis Wade, Cecily Atkinson, Lynton Atkinson, Margaret Burdett, Nigel Perrin, Jonathan Prentice, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
O Little Town of BethlehemRalph Vaughan Williams, Margaret Burdett, Lynton Atkinson, Jonathan Prentice, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
Puer nobis nascitur (Arr. P. Breiner for mixed choir)Traditional, Margaret Burdett, Cecily Atkinson, Lynton Atkinson, Jonathan Prentice, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
Silent Night (Arr. P. Breiner)Franz Xaver Gruber, Cecily Atkinson, Lynton Atkinson, Margaret Burdett, Nigel Perrin, Jonathan Prentice, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
Little Jesus, Sweetly SleepTraditional, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
Gloucester Wassail (Arr. P. Breiner for Mixed Choir)Traditional, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
Quem pastores laudavere (Arr. P. Breiner for mixed choir)Traditional, Margaret Burdett, Cecily Atkinson, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner
The Virgin Mary Had a Baby BoyTraditional, Jonathan Prentice, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner