Search - Adolphe Adam, Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles Gounod :: Leontyne Price: Christmas Songs

Unbelievably beautiful singing

cdsullivan@massed.net | Cambridge, MA USA | 12/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is probably the best Christmas album ever. Recorded in 1961, it features the voice of Leontyne Price at its most unbelievable. Her voice has always seemed to me to be one of the most stunningly beautiful ever, and that impression was strengthened after listening to this recording. Particularly astonishing is her heavenly top range; she just flips a switch and the most gorgeous sound ever comes pouring out effortlessly. In "O Holy Night," the Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria," and the Mozart "Alleluja," she hits (repectively) a high B-flat, B-natural and high C that made my jaw hit the floor. I sat in a stupor until I reassembled my wits and hit the rewind button.Another great thing about this album is the sensibility of the arrangements. This is, mercifully, not another of those soupy, cloying Christmas CDs featuring orchestras of approximately 120 members. Several of the carols are recorded without orchestra, and those that are recorded with it feature only a small portion of the huge Vienna Philharmonic. (On the cover, it says "Mitglieder der Wiener Philharmoniker" - Members of the Vienna Philharmonic.) I much prefer to hear Christmas carols with a smaller orchestra.The only quibble I have about this is the short playing time: only 39 minutes. That is extremely short, but the recording comes at a special low price. However, it can be disappointing to sit through forty minutes of glory and then realize that that's it!This has vaulted to near the top of my list of favorite recordings. I urge anyone who does not have this to get it immediately, featuring as it does some of the most gorgeous singing imaginable (or unimaginable!)."

"La Splendissima" at Xmas: A Priceless Gem of Great PRICE!

Donizetti's Kid | NYC, NY United States | 03/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's no need to tarry too long in this 'review'. Others have already eloquently lavished praise on this recording. I simply must add my own hosanna to theirs. Without a doubt, the singing of soprano Leontyne Price -"La Splendissima" - is incomparable here. There has never been a soprano with a timbre so incredibly distinctive & beautiful that also infuses her music with a rare humanity and humility. Every Christmas is inauguarated with this recording at my home, and those fortunate enough to receive this CD as a gift from me, are infinitely grateful & astounded by Ms. Price's gifts.(especially those not inclined to Opera singers!)
Her collaboration here with Maestro Von Karajan is just as rewarding as all of the others including "Carmen", "Tosca", the Verdi "Requiem"(VHS/DVD), and a legendary "Il Trovatore". These (2) musical 'giants' seem to derive inspiration from each other that ignites a passionate response from each as well. Nowhere is this more evident than in their now 'classic' rendition of the Schubert "Ave Maria". Listen to the ethereal, voice-like intro of the orchestral strings that precedes Ms. Price's celestial vocalism. It's magical! The programme is diverse and deeply satisfying for the Season. Miss Price's singing, whether in this rep, singing Spirituals, the recital stage, or Grand Opera, is almost always an inveterately soulful experience. It is no less so here. Celebrate the Season (any Season you like) with "La Splendissima" Leontyne Price singing classical 'Soul' music at Christmas. Get this!!!!!!!!"

A True Muiscal Treasure

Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 11/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the recordings that made me fall in love with opera. My father owned a drugstore and I started working at eth store when I was in junior high. He loved Christmas and would always play holiday music once Thanksgiving arrived. He used 8-track tapes that could repeat over and over again. Most of the recordings would be light and airy music that would encourage people to shop, but every now and then he would slip in this Leontyne Price recording, much to the chagrin of the employees. I would often switch to the track that contained Ms. Price singing "Von Himmel Hoch" pretending it was a joke, but secretly I could hardly believe that anyone could create such music. I also loved her singing of Mozart's "Alleluia."



Now when I listen to Leontyne Price's Christmas album, I no longer pretend to make fun of it. I suppose I have become my father (musically at least) and simply enjoy it. As I listen to it today, I am less impressed with Ms. Price's tremendous vocal gifts, as wonderful as they are, but of her ability to bring out the richness of each work she performs. The simple title of the recording CHRISTMAS SONGS is appropriate because the recording is about the music itself, not the performer. From my point of view this makes the recording unique. I have a number of Christmas recordings in my collection from just about every opera singer imaginable, but I always find that this recording is one of the best vocally because Price obviously loves the music, brings the music to life in her signature style, but allows the recording to be about the music and not the performer. Come to think of it, she did this onstage as well, which may be why she is considered by so many to be a musician rather than a performer and why she was so beloved when she sang and her recordings are still treasured by so many to this day.

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