Search - Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Christmas Traditional, Katherine K. Davis :: Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra

Christmas music done in Ormady's rich "Philadelphia Sound"

Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 12/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Joy to the World" has Eugene Ormandy with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus providing a rich selection of Christmas songs, both classical and traditional, arranged by Arthur Harris. It is the former that are most impressive, although there are fewer of them, starting with Mendelssohn's "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker," then ending with Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire," and the "Pastoral Symphony" and "Hallelujan Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah."



Eugene Ormandy (born Jenö Blau in Budapest) was one of the most famous of the popular American conductors of the 20th century, known best for his long time relationship with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Originally gaining public notice with the orchestra when he served as a last-minute replacement for an ill Arturo Toscanini in 1931, Ormandy would serve as Musical Director in Phialdelphia from 1938 until 1980. Under his baton the Philadelphia Orchestra became known for its warm tones, textured romantic "Philadelphia Sound," which is well represented on this Christmas album. I always thought Ormandy's interpretation of Rachmaninoff was particularly strong, although I do not know enough about classical music to articulate a coherent defense of that position beyond noting that when Vladimir Horowitz played Rachmaninoff's Third Concerto on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his Carnegie Hall debut, he picked Ormandy as the conductor of the orchestra that night.



There is over an hour's worth of music here for you to enjoy if you like more of the classical approach to your Christmas music. But Ormandy's work is always marked by an ability to bring out the emotions of music being played by a symphonic orchestra. That is why the standout tracks here are "The Little Drummer Boy," "I Wonder as I Wander," and "What Child Is This?" You would not normally think of these songs as working as well song by a chorus that by a single individual, but this album will get you to rethink your position. In terms of choirs at Christmas I still have a preference for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Ray Conniff Singers (I embrace the extremes), but in terms of listening to an orchestra play Christmas music, this is as good as it gets."

Joy to the World Indeed

Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 09/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At one point, the Philadelphia Orchestra switched recording labels from Columbia to RCA. Since the Columbia Christmas recording was so popular, RCA decided to have the orchestra record a new LP that is now a compact disk. The style of this recording is very different from the Columbia recording. The arrangements are new and the chorus plays a central role. The album contains popular pieces such as Sleigh Ride and classical pieces such as The Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker and the Pastoral Symphony from Messiah. The quality of the RCA recording, like the Columbia is excellent, and fans of the Philadelphia Orchestra and its conductor, Eugene Ormandy will not be disappointed."

A Timeless Christmas Classic

David A. Kemp | Plano, TX USA | 12/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a lover of traditional Christmas music and I've acquired about 20 CDs of it. There's nothing my family likes better in December than putting on some good Christmas music and getting in the mood for the season, hearing once again the old favorites you've known since childhood. Of all the Christmas music CDs I've tried, I have two desert-island favorites, the two I always reach for first. This is one of them. I think it's one of the greatest recordings of traditional Christmas music ever made. The arrangements (by Arthur Harris) are joyous, beautiful, and soul-stirring; the performances are heartfelt and magnificent. If you can listen to this CD and not feel filled by the Christmas spirit, you must be (a) named Ebeneezer Scrooge, or (b) deaf. This one is a timeless Christmas classic, not to be missed. Warmest recommendation."