This disc is sure to delight those who love the sounds of Christmas and are looking for artful arrangements that enhance the familiar with innovative quality. The ensemble's performance creates a balance and conority rarel... more »y found in a combined choir and orchestra. ClassicsToday.com has written, "The choir is very good. . . singing with joy and enthusiasn and well rehearsed ensemble technique".« less
This disc is sure to delight those who love the sounds of Christmas and are looking for artful arrangements that enhance the familiar with innovative quality. The ensemble's performance creates a balance and conority rarely found in a combined choir and orchestra. ClassicsToday.com has written, "The choir is very good. . . singing with joy and enthusiasn and well rehearsed ensemble technique".
CD Reviews
Joyous Day -My Christmas Favorite!
art lover | Salt Lake City, Utah | 12/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have collected Christmas music for over 30 years. When I experienced hearing Barlow Bradford conduct the Utah Chamber Artists in his fresh and imaginative interpretations of carols I was simply blown away. The choir sings with such pure and amazing tone quality, precision and feeling that I often had tears streaming down my cheeks. Now I own the CD and play it many times a day while my other Christmas "favorites" linger on the shelf. I never tire of it. The choir is perfection itself, and Barlow Bradford is a musical genius. Anyone who enjoys good choral music will love hearing this!"
INSTANT CLASSIC
Music Critic | Belmont, MA USA | 11/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just heard this Christmas CD and it blew me away. Barlow Bradford pulled out all the stops in these arrangements. He gives all vocal parts glorious musical phrases, and all orchestral instruments chances to shine. I love the quiet pieces: they made me stop what I was doing, close my eyes and melt. When do human beings have the opportunity to hear sound this pristine, pure and sublime? Not very often. It seems nearly impossible that human voices could possibly create such beautiful sound. "Still, Still, Still" will make a grown man cry. The exciting numbers let the voices and orchestra go at full throttle. The percussion is phenomenal on "Angels We Have Heard on High". "Sussex Carol" is so full of joy it makes you smile through the whole piece. There is not a bad apple in the bunch. Every song is polished and perfected. I'm so glad I own this CD. It will be on the very top of my stack of Christmas music this year, and for years to come. They say the definition of a classic is 'something that can not be improved upon'. If that's true: THIS IS A CLASSIC."
Holy Music
A. Clawson | Tarpon Springs, FL | 03/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this CD and any other CD by the Utah Chamber Artists. Their sound is sublime and so haunting. This songs on this Christmas CD are all my new favorites. I love anything Barlow Bradford does. He is amazing. He makes music come alive. They are all so wonderful, but I love Still, Still, Still, and Suo Gan. They are so beautiful. Suo Gan is wonderful as I hold my new baby and rock her in the dark hours of the morning. Worth every penny!"
Epic. Holy.
Oryon L. Brooks | 12/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WARNING: Do not listen to this CD while driving. I nearly drove into a snowy bank because I couldn't see through my tears when I put this CD in my car stereo for the first time. Little did I know as I listened to Barlow Bradford's compositions brought to life by the Utah Chamber Artists--thinking I was going to be listening to just another "nice" Christmas CD--that what would fill my car would be a sound so absolutely majestic and powerful that I would find myself weeping and needing to pull the car over. As I sat on the snowy side of the rural road, staring at the snowy fields that twinkled in the moonslight beyond the crooked fences and at the stars and distant lights that sparkled, the music transported me to a place I had never been before. I wept over my steering wheel as I felt as though I were at the feet of the Christ child, and then him who is resurrected and redeemed. It was so unexpected and sublime. How wonderful to have felt such love at such an unexpected moment. The astounding compositions, the crystal, pristine voices, the superb orchestra and the combined sound is nothing short of epic. It is magnificent. It is sweeping in its grandeur, as though you personally are the first person to see Niagra Falls created and hear the water roar for the first time. Yet, it is hushed and sublimely tender in it's quietest and most heartfelt parts. Holy. There is only one other CD that that I can listen to over, and over, and over again. Now I have two. I would have loved to hear this performance live. Even after the fourth time through my jaw still drops. Literally. If Barlow Bradford doesn't do this performance every year as a tradition, I will personally strangle him myself. I will come to hear the Utah Chamber Artists perform these pieces no matter where I am. I will come to watch the man conduct the choir and orchestra who composed each piece himself. Barlow Bradford, you are a gift to the world."
Truly is joyous!
El Bee | SLC, UT | 12/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bought this recording in 2006. When I pulled it out to listen to for the 2007 Holiday Season, I once again realized how incredibly beautiful this music is. Yes, my ears hear the music, but the music "sings" to my spirit. I am deeply touched by its beauty."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1