This is a fascinating
and engrossing compilation: the most
remarkable sensation I had was that
the musical evocation of Christmas mattered
to these performers in a very direct
and secure way. There is in almost every
track a deep sincerity which I cannot
find in many of the recent or current
Christmas releases - and I don't think
this is a brutally cynical comparison.
Not only are there some superb voices
displayed here, but the delivery and
use of some of the voices seems to go
way beyond the technical, and at times
reaches magically inspiring heights.
Here is the great Martinelli,
fluent phrasing with great dramatic
impact - not at all surprising this
recording became so popular. This is
top-of-the-tree singing. And the young
American tenor Richard Crooks, at 25,
with engaging narrative energy and an
instinctive acknowledgement of how and
when to point words and notes, particularly
responsive to nuances and changes of
tempo, well supported by a willing orchestra
in The Star of Bethlehem. He was already
a complete artist with knowing delivery
and awesome vocal quality, a truly great
voice. Also the 27-year-old Victoria
de los Angeles, making a haunting Catalonian
carol delectable in every bar, with
inventive colouration of voice and vowels,
ably supported by a guitar duo.
Ernestine Schumann-Heinck
gives a version of Stille Nacht which
has more changes of tempo and pulse
than an opera, yet it is utterly convincing
and full of personal conviction. The
combination of rhythmic flexibility,
dynamic shaping and nuance, plus sincerity,
is unbeatable. The Danish tenor, Aksel
Schiotz, gives two extracts from Messiah
displaying a refined line and admirable
diction, and floating a genuinely moving
interpretation on a very pleasing, light
vocal timbre.
John McCormack is instantly
a recognisable voice and artist, and
his contributions here reach varied
success. The setting of Adeste Fideles
is quite superb, and includes, in the
fine chorus, a young Crooks and others.
Gladys Swarthout, U.S. mezzo, makes
a significant impression in the Appalachian
Song I wonder as I wander, as does Dorothy
Maynor, the black U.S. soprano in Go
Tell it on the Mountain.
There is a spine-chilling
thrill in Frenchman Georges Thill's
account of Adam's Cantique de Noel,
and Lawrence Tibbett's singing of A
star was his candle is one of the greatest
pleasures on the disc, demonstrating
how to use a superb instrument to telling
expressive effect with apparently natural
instinct.
Less impressive are
the rare Richard Tauber recording of
White Christmas (overdone and inconsistent
vocally), McCormack's The Holy Child
(highly over-enunciated) and Der Tannenbaum
in duet by Hulda Lashanska and Paul
Reimers.
Real treats remain
however in Rosa Ponselle's gracefully
accomplished Gounod Ave Maria - almost
perfect - and Claudia Muzio, soprano,
delivering Ninna-Nanna della Vergine
by Reger so well that I'd almost become
a Reger convert. The soft upper register
is exquisite, and the sensitive simplicity
of the composition is adorned by the
controlled tone and dynamic of Muzio's
performance in all registers and volumes
- breathtakingly assured.
In all, a marvellously
enjoyable disc which brings unforced
smiles through great artistry and unshakeable
musical conviction - no other present
required!
Colin Touchin
see also reviews
by Rob Barnett and Bill Kenny
