A Child's Celebration of Classical Music

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
A Child's Celebration of Classical Music, like its esteemed peers in the Music for Little People series, is not only of superior quality, it caters to the interest of kids without dumbing down the music. Beginning with the lively Boston Pops Orchestra rendition of "In the Hall of the Mountain King," this collection draws the listener into worlds created by orchestral majesty, powerful buildups, and exquisite narrative. Meryl Streep's buttery tones preface Ravel's magically ruminative "Sleeping Beauty" and Carol Channing is simply marvelous in her telling of the giggle-inducing yarn of "Gerald McBoing Boing," as set to strings and drums, cymbal clashes, and horn accents. David Bowie provides a distinguished narration to Prokofiev's nearly-30-minute-long "Peter and the Wolf" suite, a classic which still thrills and delights audiences half a century after the composer's death. Throughout, children will delight in distinguishing the wide array of instruments and the sounds they represent. --Paige La Grone --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From Parents' Choice®
A not-for-kids-only musical storybook delights the ear and the imagination. This deftly assembled collection of works by great composers, performed by world-class musicians and actors, includes Meryl Streep's graceful narration in an excerpt from Ravel's "Sleeping Beauty," Carol Channing's comic turn as every character in Gail Kubik's "Gerald McBoing Boing," and Bobby McFerrin as an entire orchestra in "Music Box." Other don't-miss moments: Danny Kaye's gentle rendition of "Tubby the Tuba" and... read more --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

A Child's Celebration of Classical Music

Tracks:

Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Academy And Chorus Of St Martin In The Fields
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Zadok The Priest - Ambrosian Singers
Miserere Mei, Deus - Gerald Finley
Veni Creator Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Lacrimosa - London Philharmonic Choir
For Unto Us A Child Is Born - Ambrosian Singers
The Heavens Are Telling - John Shirley-Quirk
Panis Angelicus - Halle Choir
Ave Maria - Groupe Vocal De France
Ode To Joy - The Westminster Choir
Va, Pensiero - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Chorus Of Slave Girls - Chorus Of The National Theatre Of Sophia
Coro De Romanticos - Coro Cantores De Madrid
In Paradisum - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Totus Tuus - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Song For Athene - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Celebration - London Symphony Chorus
Jerusalem - Royal Choral Society

Tracks:

Zion Hort Die Wachter - South German Madrigal Choir
Pleni Sunt Coeli Et Terra - Charles Brett
Hallelujah Chorus - Ambrosian Singers
Thou Knowest, Lord - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Veni Sancte Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Awake The Harp - City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth - New Philharmonia Chorus
L'Adieu Des Bergers - Choeurs Rene Duclos
Agnus Dei - Peter Barley
Cantique De Jean Racine - MONKS AND CHOIRBOYS OF DOWNSIDE ABBEY
Ave Verum Corpus - Schutz Consort
Begluckt Darf Nun Dich, O Heimat - Bavarian State Opera Chorus, Munich
Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Laudamus Te - Radio France Chorus
Chichester Psalms - Rachel Masters
The Lamb - Vasari Singers
Agnus Dei - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Requiem Aeternam - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Dies Irae - Philharmonia Chorus
O Fortuna - London Philharmonic Choir
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1 (Land Of Hope Glory) - Royal Choral Society

Customer Reviews:

I love it and I give it as a gift.......2006-12-11

This is the first collection of choral music that I've purchased and I love it. I own copies of operas and requiems and masses, but if you attend choral concerts, as I have been recently, you learn there is a huge colletion of choral music appart from the forms I've been listening to. I appreciate the producers selecting "Song for Athene" by Tavener and "Celebration (Standing Stone)" by McCartney. They are new to me and I love them. Disk 1 ends with "Jerusalem" and Disk 2 ends with "Land of Hope and Glory." As an American I rarely hear these and I am so glad they were included. I believe this album was intended to help popularize choral music and I believe the selections do fine job towards that end.

I know snobs rage against popularizing classical music, but everyone deserves exposure to the beauty of song. I will also mention here "The East Village Opera Company" because they work to popularize opera by setting it to a rock beat. They do a fine job but also get criticized for attempting to popularize classical music.

"The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever" was so popular with my teen-age daughter that it was hard to get it back from her. I give the album as a gift to nephews and nieces.

MarMSED.......2005-08-27

The music selections are extraordinary. The only problem has to do with the balance of sound. There are some parts that are very loud, and some that are so very soft. You have to continually adjust the volume.

Diverse range but the songs are butchered..........2005-07-24

Well, this CD isn't horrible by any stretch, but it is irritating to someone who's more than a casual listener of choral music. I'm by no means as musically "literate" as many reviewers out there, but I have a collection of probably twenty-five or thirty choral CD's and this is one that will probably be gathering dust in the back of the CD book.

The peices are well-performed for the most part, but they are hopelessly edited. Beethoven's Ode to Joy is somewhere around twenty four minutes, but this CD only includes an arrangement of about five minutes. The beautiful Miserere is, uncut, almost eleven minutes but is cut down to five and a half minutes here.

Looking back, I should have realized the major editing that would be involved, just by the sheer number of peices on it. I'm familiar with a great many of them and I know they're too long to fit onto a seventy minute disc without some major cutting going on. I just didn't reason that out before I shelled out the money for it.

Bottom line. This CD has decent singing, but is nothing special. If you're a newcomer to this genre, you might get this as a quick overview of the different types of choral music out there, but if you're any kind of an avid listener, this CD will drive you insane with the severity of the cuts. Beginners, if you're looking for a great collection CD, you'd do better to look at "Choral Moods". It doesn't have the diversity in styles of this one, but it will introduce you to incredibly talented composers. To the old hats out there, steer clear of this one and look to CD's by your preferred individual composers themselves. It's more money, but much less frustration in the long run. The old sayings are sometimes the best: You get what you pay for.

A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle

Average customer rating:

A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle
One of the most beautiful Christmas albums
A Christmas Collection For The Ages
Kathleen Battle, My Madam Christmas
Pure Joy

A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle , traditional/various , Leonard Slatkin , and Orchestra of St. Luke's with New York Choral Artists & Harlem Boys' Choir
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Battle, Kathleen | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert
Angels' Glory
Jessye Norman - Christmastide
The Best of Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle at Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B000002ROL
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

O Come All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabelle
Fum, Fum, Fum!
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Ave Maria
Gesu Bambino
Medley: I Saw Three Ships; The First Nowell; The Holly And The Ivy
Away In A Manger
Silent Night
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Mary's Cradle Song
Zither Carol
I Wonder As I Wander
Mary Had A Baby
Rise Up, Shepherd
What Child Is This?
Ave Maria
Finale and Reprise: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; O Little Town Of Bethlehem; Silent Night; O Come All Ye Faithful

Customer Reviews:

A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle.......2007-01-19

what can i say about the best of the best? As always, Miss Battle makes me wonder how anyone else would dare to sing this music after her rendition. A beautiful CD

One of the most beautiful Christmas albums .......2005-11-22

I love Kathleen Battle's voice, and to get such a great collection of beautiful sacred music, it was like a dream come true. She sings many traditional carols like Holy Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, which is possibly my favorite here, you may think you have heard this song so many times, but Kathleen's voice really shines in it. Her English diction is so incredible, you can understand every word, which is not something many opera singers can achieve. Her singing is always so natural and lovely. Many other songs are oustanding on this album, I love the two version of Ave Maria and the Italian song Gesu Bambino. If you are looking for a really beautiful collection of Christmas music, this album is a great choice.

A Christmas Collection For The Ages.......2005-11-13

If there is one performer I miss hearing on a regular basis, it is Kathleen Battle. Anytime I knew that she'd be in a Metropolitan Opera radio broadcast, I knew it would be a performance to remember and more often than not, I was correct. She has a light voice that reaches the upper reregisters with ease and has as a gorgeous sound. She not a regular at many opera houses these days, and in likelihood, if she still did perform on the world's opera stages, we'd be hearing critics say her voice was not what it once was, but thanks to her recorded legacy, her voice will, always have that youthful, energetic sound.

Overall I believe that Ms. Battle performs better in complete opera recordings than recital albums, but most of her recital recordings are of at least good quality and this Christmas collection is outstanding. She handles all of the works with apparent similar ease, but since the recording is so varied, this is a compliment to her skill as a performer. She begins and ends with "O Come All Ye Faithful" where she does a few vocal acrobatics but it's never overdone. Each time I think of what the bets part of the collection is, my mind changes. She brings her skills from the operatic stage in her renditions of "O Holy Night," "Gesu Bambino" (only Pavarotti sings this better, but it's a very close second), and "The Zither Carol" which sounds so much like something that could come from the mouths of Oscar from UN BALLO or Zurbinetta from ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, two of her signature roles. The music from the African American Spirituals tradition and American background are well done and the accompaniment of the Harlem Boys Choir, used to great advantage here adds so much.

With so many Christmas collections from the world of opera available, choosing one can be difficult, but this is one collection that has proven to be a joy for almost fifteen years and will continue to give holiday pleasure for years to come.

Kathleen Battle, My Madam Christmas.......2004-12-28

I probably have 50 Christmas albums. I love many of them. This is my favorite. Leaves me astounded and breathless every time I enjoy it.

Pure Joy.......2003-12-07

In a world where disturbing things are all too common, Christian scripture guides us to dwell on that which is lovely. Kathleen Battle's blessed voice is most certainly one of those lovely things.

I bought this CD in the early 1990's, and I am here to buy it again because I have worn out the original with scratches, etc. I only listen to it during the Christmas season, but I enjoy it enough to hear it all year.

The 'Christmas Celebration' CD should be enough to convince you to also purchase Kathleen's 'A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert'. Ms. Battle's wonderful soprano voice is joined by that of the mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, and the blending is more than memorable. There are a couple of songs which are on both CD's, but you'll want to hear both. In fact, the video of the PBS special is also available, and I recommend buying all three. You won't regret it.

Some of my favorite selections from 'Christmas Celebration' include 'Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabelle' and 'Fum, Fum, Fum', both of which are from a culture different from my own. I found such glimpses into unfamiliar favorites to enhance my own enjoyment of the Christmas season, as long as all of my traditional American favorites were included. They were. "I Wonder As I Wander" and "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" are there among the other favorites.

Tracks:

A Suite of English Carols: The First Noel; Coventry Carol, Deck The Halls - Solid Brass
Christmas Day in da Mornin - The Baltimore Consort
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
In dulci jubilo
In dir 1st Freude
Greensleeves / What Child is This? - Ken Kolodner, Hammer Dulcimer
In the Bleak Midwinter
Concerto grosso en G minor, Op. 6, No. 8 ( Vivace - Grave) - Les Violons du Roy
Allegro
Adagio-Allegro-Adagio
Vivace
Allegro - Pastorale ad libtium
Lulle, Lullay - Ronn McFarlane, Lute
Lulle, Lullay - Custer LaRue, Soprano
Maria Through the Thornwood Goes - Ronn McFarlane, Lute; Custer LaRue, Soprano
Christen atzet diesen Tag - Bach Choir of Bethlehem
Greensleeves - Ronn McFarlane, Lute
Anklopfelweise - Manfred Schuler Zither and Fold Music Ensemble
Te Deum laudamus
Three JGerman Carols: In dulci jubilo, Silent NIght, Hark the Hearald Angles Sing - Solid Brass

Average customer rating:

Surprisingly enjoyable
Wonderful!!!

Child's Celebration of Classical Music
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Music Little People
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Compilations | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Music for Little People | Children's Music | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

A Child's Celebration of Rock 'n' Roll
A Child's Celebration of Song
A Child's Celebration of Broadway
A Child's Celebration of Showtunes
A Child's Celebration of Dance Music

ASIN: B00000JFUK
Release Date: 1999-07-06

Tracks:

In The Hall Of The Mountain King - Boston Pops
Sleeping Beauty - Meryl Streep And The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Gerald Mcboing Boing - Carol Channing & The Little Orchestra Society Of New York
Music Box - Bobby McFerrin
Tubby The Tuba - Danny Kaye
Water Music - Symfunny Orchestra
Peter And The Wolf - David Bowie & The Philadelphia Orchestra

Amazon.com

A Child's Celebration of Classical Music, like its esteemed peers in the Music for Little People series, is not only of superior quality, it caters to the interest of kids without dumbing down the music. Beginning with the lively Boston Pops Orchestra rendition of "In the Hall of the Mountain King," this collection draws the listener into worlds created by orchestral majesty, powerful buildups, and exquisite narrative. Meryl Streep's buttery tones preface Ravel's magically ruminative "Sleeping Beauty" and Carol Channing is simply marvelous in her telling of the giggle-inducing yarn of "Gerald McBoing Boing," as set to strings and drums, cymbal clashes, and horn accents. David Bowie provides a distinguished narration to Prokofiev's nearly-30-minute-long "Peter and the Wolf" suite, a classic which still thrills and delights audiences half a century after the composer's death. Throughout, children will delight in distinguishing the wide array of instruments and the sounds they represent. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Surprisingly enjoyable.......2005-05-28

This is definitely not what I expected in a classical music tape, but still a surprisingly enjoyable to listen to. I bought it for my 4 year old who loves to listen to what he calls "kid's songs" and hoped that it wouldn't totally annoy my older children. This one is a winner, though, ALL the kids (ages 2 to 11) really like it. Bobby McFerrin's Music Box is really quite amazing and you appreciate his talent the more you listen to it (although I would never have guessed this was classical music.) The water music rendition is equally fun. My only complaint is that Gerald McBoing is waaaay too long, but still it fascinated the kids so I guess it's worth it! The variety of music contained on the tape keeps it fresh.

Wonderful!!!.......2001-08-15

Kids will eat this up! The selection of readers and singers are brilliant. Not only will the stories entertain children but they will learn from a young age that classical dosn't mean boring! Danny Kaye is one of my favorite people. His voice has always captured me somehow. I have seen my siblings listen in amazement to Boby McFerrin's amazing "voice". His portrayel of a music box is highly impressive. The way this CD combines the old with the new, the humorous with the soothing, and the music with the story telling, leaves me feeling up-lifted and calm. A complete must-have for children and adults alike!

Garlands For The Queen - Music for the Celebration of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II - The Bristol Bach Choir

Average customer rating:

Garlands For The Queen - Music for the Celebration of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II - The Bristol Bach Choir

Manufacturer: Priory Records UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003WJT
Release Date: 1993-10-11

Average customer rating:

Songs of Celebration

Manufacturer: Afka
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000777I10
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Average customer rating:

Eclectic McCormack

A Christian Celebration

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B000000WYK
Release Date: 1993-11-23

Tracks:

Jerusalem
The Battle Hymn Of The American Republic
God Bless America
Holy God We Praise Thy Name
Onward! Christian Soldiers
Jacob's Dream - Genesis 28, vv, 11-19: Nearer My God To Thee
Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere (Heaven)
Holy Night D. 827 Op. 43, No. 2 (Nacht And Traume)
The Lady Of The Lake - Canto. 3, No. 29 The Song of Ellen Douglas - III: Ave Maria, Maiden Mild D.839 Op. 52, No. 6
Op. 26, No. 7: To The Children (K detyam)
Skylark and swallow: A Prayer To Our Lady
Messe Solenelle in A Op. 12: Panis Angelicus (Bread Angels)
All Through The Night
Silent Night, Holy Night
See Amid The Winter's Snow
Christ In His Garden Op. 54-5
The Palms
Recitative And Aria Of Jesus Christ: Christ On The Mount Of Olives - Jehova! Hear Oh Hear Me...Oh My Heart Is Sore Within Me
Calvary: There Is A Green Hill Far Away
Christ Lag in Todes Banden - Cantata No. 4, passus 3: Jesus Christ, The Son Of God
Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben - canatta No. 147, passus 10: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
God Keep You Is My Prayer
Just For Today