The Christmas Album

 
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Various Composers
The Christmas Album
Benjamin Appl (baritone), Regensburger Domspatzen, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Florian Helgath

[ Alpha Classics / CD ]

Release Date: Friday 1 November 2024

This item is currently out of stock. It may take 6 or more weeks to obtain from when you place your order as this is a specialist product.

German baritone Benjamin Appl celebrates Christmas through the enduring tradition of Bach chorales and popular carols, from as far afield as Germany, Austria, America, Britain, Sweden, France and the Netherlands. For this truly universal Christmas celebration he is accompanied by Germany's most famous children's choir, of which he was a member in his youth, the Munich Radio Orchestra and instrumentalists (including his own mother on guitar): "Christmas evokes intense memories and emotions in all of us. It takes us back to our childhood: that sense of magic and excitement, so often reawakened by the sight of a traditional Nativity scene, or the lights on a Christmas tree, or by hearing Christmas carols...It was with all these images in mind that I returned to my home town to record this album with 'my' boys' choir. When, after more than twenty years, I found myself back among the choristers and heard the familiar sound, the emotion was very intense."

It turns out that Appl's contribution to the season of goodwill is as thoughtfully assembled as one of his Lieder programmes, and performed with the same level of care. The Regensburg boys are far more than a supporting act on the album, and Appl himself contributes a thoughtful mixture of oratorio arias and Christmas songs in four different languages. One of the loveliest Christmas albums in some years.
- Katherine Cooper

Tracks:

King John IV of Portugal: Adeste Fideles (Arr. for Orchestra, Ensemble and Soloist by David Willocks)

Mendelssohn: Elias, Op. 70, Pt. 2: Ja, Es Sollen Wohl Berge Weichen (Elias)

Hammerschmidt: Machet die Tore weit

Reger: Schlichte Weisen, Op. 76: No. 52, Mariä Wiegenlied

Head, M: The Three Mummers

Praetorius, M: Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen

Bach, J S: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. I: Grosser Herr, O Starker König

Bach, J S: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. VI: Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier

Reger: 5 Neue Kinderlieder, Op. 142: No. 1, Schlaf mein Kindelein

Christoph Israel: O du fröhliche

Hermann Delacher: Geh, Hansl, pack dei Binggerl zaam

Rutter: Christmas lullaby

Chaminade: Le Noel des oiseaux

Nordqvist: Jul, jul, strålande jul

Rutter: Joseph's Carol

Josef Schnabel: Transeamus Usque Bethlehem

anon.: Es werd scho glei dumpa

Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel, Act II Scene 2: Abendsegen

Cornelius: Weihnachtslieder (6), Op. 8: Drei Kön'ge wandern aus Morgenland

Scheidt: O Jesulein Zart (Arr. for Choir and Soloist by Chris Hazell)

Thiel: In dulci jubilo

Martin, Hugh: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Arr. for Orchestra and Soloist by John Rutter)

Hans Berger: Sehet den Stern

Gruber, F: Silent Night