2010 Top 10 Classical Music Christmas CDs (About.com - part of the New York Times) By Aaron Green
selected article reviews below
7 . Christmas Piano - Chemayne Micallef (MY FAVE .... highly recomemnnded)
" .... Nothing beats sitting back in a comfy chair across from the Christmas tree late at night while listening to classic Christmas songs played on a solo piano. Chemayne Micallef performs your holiday favorites with such ease and simplicity, there's not a song on the album you'll find unlovable...."
1. Angels We Have Heard On High - 4:20
2. Away In A Manger - 3:15
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - 3:03
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - 3:28
5. What Child Is This? - 4:48
6. The First Noel - 2:53
7. Silent Night - 4:35
8. Joy To The World - 2:41
9. Deck The Halls - 2:31
10. I Saw Three Ships - 1:52
11. O Holy Night - 6:10
12. Good King Wenceslas - 2:18
13. O Little Town Of Bethlehem - 3:35
14. O Christmas Tree - 1:30
15. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - 1:57
1 . A Christmas Festival - Arthur Fiedler & The Boston Pops
Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops create a marvelous classical music CD. It's large orchestral sound and familiar Christmas songs are sure to bring any listener delight. If you don't already own it, you need to!
2 . The Glorious Sound of Christmas - Eugene Ormandy & the Philadelphia Orchestra
Another large orchestra CD, the just as famous Philadelphia Orchestra and Eugene Ormandy released this album in 1991. With familiar classics as Handel's "Joy to the World" and Mendelssohn's "Hark! The Hareld Angels Sing," this album is about as Christmas as they come
3 . Christmas with the Westminster Choir Westminster Choir
is one of the United State's premier choirs. Performing regularly with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, the Westminster Choir found time to record a lovely Christmas album. More intimate than the previous Christmas CD's, you'll enjoy listening to the Westminster Choir next to the Christmas tree in the evening hours wrapped up in a warm blanket
4 . A Festival of Carols in Brass - the Philadelphia Brass
Ensemble
This unique Christmas album is for all the brass lovers of the world, though, anyone can easily fall in love with this CD! If you haven't guessed already, it's 100% pure brass, and unlike you may think, the sound is very smooth and lyrical - almost as intimate as the choir
5 . Christmas with the Dale Warland Singers
Another favorite choral album of mine, I find myself listening to this album periodically throughout the year. Like the Westminster Choir, the Dale Warland Singers are highly respected in the choral field. Their warm and well-rounded sound creates an atmosphere so peaceful and relaxing, you may end up celebrating Christmas all year round
6 . Winter Romance - Beegie Adair
get that "everything is right with the world" feeling while listening to this album, and I'm sure you will too! Beegie Adair's lighthearted Christmas CD features a solo piano accompanied by orchestra and drums. Its jazz-like sounds and rhythms will definitely put a spring in your step