Dave Payn
Active Member
As it's getting, you know....sort of near to...erm... THAT time (that's right, you can tell; the Easter eggs are in stock!) I thought I'd share with you my recommended Chrimbo CDs involving brass instruments in one way or another: (OK so it's only early November. So? Most of these CDs were recorded in the middle of summer!)
In no particular order of merit.
Christmas With London Brass: (Teldec)
Still available over the Internet. Worth the purchase money for their performance of Winter from Vivaldi's Four Seasons alone, and a very clever arrangement of Silent Night a la Erik Satie.
Christmas Fanfare: Prince of Wales Brass (ASV)
Basically the CBSO brass section, who named themselves after a pub (stereotypes, huh?), excellent arrangements and playing throughout and a nice variety of festive tunes on show.
Carols From Kings (HMV)
Compilation of 1960s-1970s recordings by the Kings College Cambridge Choir under Sir David Willcocks. Choir at their peak (I still don't think they've been matched since) and the last two tracks involve the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble in resplendent form in the famous Willcocks fanfares and descants to O Come All Ye Faithful and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Christmas Music from St Pauls (Guild)
A re-release of a 1985 CD involing St Paul's Cathedral Choir and The English Brass Ensemble in a mixture of Advent and Christmas anthems and Carols. Beautifully sung and played, though getting used to the long echo of St Paul's may take some getting used to!
Christmas Fantasy (Chandos)
Black Dyke Mills (as was) and Huddersfield Choral Society team up for festive fun and frolics. To my mind, still the best brass band Christmas recording out there (however, see my request for 'White Christmas' by Grimethorpe below)
ONE TO AVOID?
Noel (Priory) with the Bach Choir and Wallace Collection. It's not a case of bad playing or singing but for the most part it seems that the brass and the organ are playing at different pitches. Painfully obvious at times.
I haven't heard White Christmas (Grimethorpe) on the Chandos label. Any good?
Then again, if this is all too cheesy for you to bear, go have a humbug! :wink: :lol:
Regards
In no particular order of merit.
Christmas With London Brass: (Teldec)
Still available over the Internet. Worth the purchase money for their performance of Winter from Vivaldi's Four Seasons alone, and a very clever arrangement of Silent Night a la Erik Satie.
Christmas Fanfare: Prince of Wales Brass (ASV)
Basically the CBSO brass section, who named themselves after a pub (stereotypes, huh?), excellent arrangements and playing throughout and a nice variety of festive tunes on show.
Carols From Kings (HMV)
Compilation of 1960s-1970s recordings by the Kings College Cambridge Choir under Sir David Willcocks. Choir at their peak (I still don't think they've been matched since) and the last two tracks involve the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble in resplendent form in the famous Willcocks fanfares and descants to O Come All Ye Faithful and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Christmas Music from St Pauls (Guild)
A re-release of a 1985 CD involing St Paul's Cathedral Choir and The English Brass Ensemble in a mixture of Advent and Christmas anthems and Carols. Beautifully sung and played, though getting used to the long echo of St Paul's may take some getting used to!
Christmas Fantasy (Chandos)
Black Dyke Mills (as was) and Huddersfield Choral Society team up for festive fun and frolics. To my mind, still the best brass band Christmas recording out there (however, see my request for 'White Christmas' by Grimethorpe below)
ONE TO AVOID?
Noel (Priory) with the Bach Choir and Wallace Collection. It's not a case of bad playing or singing but for the most part it seems that the brass and the organ are playing at different pitches. Painfully obvious at times.
I haven't heard White Christmas (Grimethorpe) on the Chandos label. Any good?
Then again, if this is all too cheesy for you to bear, go have a humbug! :wink: :lol:
Regards
