Kathleen Battle: A Christmas Celebration
List Price:
Our Price: $8.66
You Save: $3.28 (27%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Conductor: Leonard SlatkinOrchestra: Orchestra of St. Luke's with New York Choral Artists & Harlem Boys' Choir
Performer: Kathleen Battle
Edition: Music CD
Published: 1990
CD Release Date: 1990-10-25
Music Label: EMI Angel
Soundtracks:
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- O Holy Night
- Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabelle
- Fum, Fum, Fum!
- Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
- Ave Maria
- Gesu Bambino
- Medley: I Saw Three Ships; The First Nowell; The Holly And The Ivy
- Away In A Manger
- Silent Night
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Mary's Cradle Song
- Zither Carol
- I Wonder As I Wander
- Mary Had A Baby
- Rise Up, Shepherd
- What Child Is This?
- Ave Maria
- Finale and Reprise: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; O Little Town Of Bethlehem; Silent Night; O Come All Ye Faithful
Music reviews of Kathleen Battle: A Christmas Celebration
Music Review: "...All is calm, all is bright..."
Rating: 5 Stars
I'll make my point at the very beginning, if you could only buy one CD of classical Christmas music, this would be the one to purchase. Acclaimed soprano Kathleen Battle recorded this in 1986 when she was at her vocal peak. Words are inadequate, and forgive me if I wax poetic here, but this is close to the glorious music I would expect the winged seraphs and cherubs to make around God's throne in heaven on Christmas Day. Each note is a perfect jewel soaring upward, luminous and immaculate in its artistry.
Almost all of the traditional classic European Christmas carols are represented such as" "Oh Come All Ye Faithful ", O Holy Night" "Away in the Manger", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing ", "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" and "Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem", all magnificently done. The bonus for me was the addition of the French, Spanish, German, Italian and Czech carols to which I was introduced for the first time. These were "Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle", sung in charmingly dignified French, "Fum! Fum! Fum" in swiftly rushing Spanish, the tender "Maria Wiegenlied" from Germany, "Gesu Bambino" representing Italy, and "The Zither Carol" based on Czech folk music, with the lyrics tripping lightly off Ms. Battle's tongue. A medley of well known English Christmas carols is also included "I Saw Three Ships", "The First Nowell" and "The Holly and the Ivy", all a treat to the ear.
America is not neglected however; Ms. Battle has three selections that have Appalachian, and African-American origins, and unlike some opera singers she is able to bring her voice down so the simple melodies and lyrics are not overwhelmed by the sheer power and volume of an operatic register. This trio, well chosen and executed, is " I Wonder as I Wander", "Mary Had a Baby" and "Rise Up, Shepherd", all rendered with a clarity and restraint that heightens the effectiveness.
I have two personal favorites that are conjure up specific memories whenever I hear them. The first is the quintessential religious Christmas Carol, Franz Gruber's "Silent Night". About 10 years ago, a week or so before Christmas I was driving home from work in a very stressed, agitated state that was job related, and I had this CD playing. When Ms. Battle sang "Silent Night" first in English, then in the original German, the purity and sensitivity moved me profoundly. The tension started to drain out, as a feeling of peace enveloped me, I got my sense of perspective back, and knew I could resolve my work problems, which I did. More than that, the intimacy of her singing gave me the sensation as if I were there at the stable; vivid, joyous images were in my mind's eye, and the wonder of the moment made a couple of tears spill down my cheeks. The second is a more somber recollection, Gounod's "Ave Maria", Ms. Battle's peerless rendition, so exalted and sublime was played at my beloved father-in-law's funeral. This was the one piece of music he had requested, and since we all wanted to give him the best, we all chose her version to be played in the church. Again the shimmering beauty of her voice like Baccarat crystal moved my to tears, but was also a balm to my wounded spirit. By the way, Schubert's "Ave Maria" is also represented on the CD, and is just as gorgeous.
New York Choral Artists and the Boys Choir of Harlem give splendid support to Ms. Battle, and the Orchestra of Saint Luke's with Leonard Slatkin as it's superlative conductor. The true spirit of Christmas in all its joy and wonder shines in an incandescent brilliance in this august album. For me, it wouldn't be Christmas without it; I hope it will become a Christmas tradition for you as well.
Description of Kathleen Battle: A Christmas Celebration
A Christmas Celebration by Various ArtistsThis product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.
Christian & Gospel CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Christian & Gospel CDs
![Welcome Home [VHS] Image](/images/Welcome-Home-VHS-6304326335-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ron Kenoly - Welcome Home [VHS]Sony; Release date: 1997-01-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.95
![Amy Grant's Old Fashioned Christmas [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
Amy Grant - Amy Grant's Old Fashioned Christmas [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1992-10-06; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $38.80
![Roots of Gospel 1 [VHS] Image](/images/Roots-of-Gospel-1-VHS-6301944860-X.jpg){kind=small}
Roots of Gospel - Roots of Gospel 1 [VHS]Xenon; Release date: 1994-06-07; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.90
Price in other shops:
Bed Bug Bible Gang - Dandy Dreams [VHS]Insp Music; Release date: 2002-10-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $44.98
Southern Classic Series - Southern Gospel Alive 2 [VHS]Homeland Records; Release date: 2002-09-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.98
Price in other shops:
Your Path, Buddha's PathAnahata Press; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
Bed Bug Bible Gang - God's Little Heroes [VHS]Insp Music; Release date: 2002-10-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
![What's Love Got to Do With It [VHS] Image](/images/What-Love-Got-to-Do-With-It-VHS-1578555051-X.jpg){kind=small}
T.D. Jakes - What's Love Got to Do With It [VHS]Td Jakes; Release date: 2000-05-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $15.95
Price in other shops:
![Gospel According to Al Green [VHS] Image](/images/Gospel-According-to-Al-Green-VHS-1572524049-X.jpg){kind=small}
Gospel According to Al Green [VHS]Winstar; Release date: 1998-12-22; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.62
Price in other shops:
U Kids Favorite Sing-A-LongsMadacy Entertainment Group; Published: 1998-01; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Kathleen Battle - So Many StarsRelease date: 1995-09-05; Music CD
Best price: $3.99
Price in other shops:
Kathleen Battle Sings MozartRelease date: 1990-10-25; Published: 1990; Music CD
Best price: $8.83
Price in other shops:
Angels: Christmas with the Great SopranosRelease date: 2008-10-14; Music CD
Best price: $6.64
Price in other shops:
Pleasures of Their CompanyRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
GraceRelease date: 1997-03-18; Music CD
Best price: $5.98
Price in other shops:
Jessye Norman - ChristmastideRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $7.82
Price in other shops:
Angels' Glory - Christmas Music for Voice & GuitarBATTLE/PARKENING; Release date: 1996-10-15; Music CD
Best price: $5.15
Price in other shops:
A Carnegie Hall Christmas ConcertCARNEGIE HALL CHRISTMAS CONCER; Release date: 1992-10-06; Music CD
Best price: $4.10
Price in other shops:
Spirituals in ConcertRelease date: 1991-03-08; Music CD
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert / Frederica von Stade, Kathleen Battle, Wynton MarsalisBATTLE,STADE VON; Release date: 2007-07-31; DVD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops: