Carols for Christmas (DVD)

Directors: Christopher Swann
Conductor: Sir David Willcocks
Performers:

Aled Jones
Gerald Finley
Royal College of Music Chamber Choir
Farnaby Brass Ensemble

Format: Classical, Colour, DVD-Video, NTSC
Language English
Region: Region 1 (US and Canada)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Kultur
DVD Release Date: 28 Sep 2004
Run Time: 59 minutes
ASIN: B0002S641E

See CD for tracks and more information

What the Critics say

Tim Page, New York Times, 8 December 1985

Carols for Christmas With the Royal College of Music Chamber Choir; arranged and conducted by David Willcocks; directed by Christopher Swann Thorn EMI/HBO Video 60 minutes. $39.95 This is a standard selection of carols, tastefully arranged, beautifully sung, and presented in tandem with appropriate seasonal works of art from the Metropolitan Museum’s collection.

Wisely, the producers have provided a straightforward concert without any spoken commentary to distract from the performance. Thus, one can enjoy this video cassette on any level – watching and listening intently, or as background music with some attractive visuals to go with it.

The art works – which include an intricately carved 12th-century ivory cross, 14th-century manuscripts, paintings by Raphael, Bellini, El Greco and Manet, and illustrations by the American print-makers Currier and Ives – are catalogued in an accompanying booklet.

The chorus is, at various times, heard a capella and with organ, piano and brass quintet; the excellent soloists are Gerald Finley and the Welsh boy soprano Aled Jones. Most of the best traditional carols, ranging from ”Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” to ”Silent Night,” are included; no ”Jingle Bell Rock” here! In short, this is an hour of classy, traditional holiday music and, as such, can be warmly recommended.