Christmas Special: Peter Breiner - Christmas Goes Baroque (1) (1991)

This is an old favorite of mine. Don't expect so much, and you'll be very happy. Not that it isn't good, and rather better than the other critics think (I'm not quite sure what they're thinking). But it is what it is, clever arrangements in faux baroque style. I especially like "Jingle Bells". European radio orchestras playing in "baroque" style sometimes have intonation problems. They don't really play the style that much, so it's a little unfamiliar, and the tessitura for brass players can be a killer. .This recording is no exception (that is why I don't give it five stars), but I think that adds to its charm. Shell out a few bucks, and enjoy yourself. (by Presbyteros)
This album attempts in a very clever manner to answer the questions of what if Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi were to compose their versions of some well known and much loved Christmas carols this has been done with the help of Peter Breiner and the CSSRO. Most of the carols respond well to Mr. Breiners arraingements. This is a good disc to put on during a holiday gathering or for tree trimming. There is also a second album with more carols. (by a customer)
 
Peter Breiner is one of the world's most recorded musicians, with over 180 CDs released and record numbers sold (1.5 million reached by 2008) both as albums or online streams. Known as a conductor, pianist, arranger and composer he has conducted, often doubling as a pianist,  the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Mozart Orchestra, the Hungarian State Radio Orchestra, the Nicolaus Esterhazy Orchestra Budapest, the Polish Radio and TV Symphony Orchestra, the Ukrainian State Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Capella Istropolitana, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra National de Lille, France, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, to mention just a few.

Some of his most acclaimed recordings include Beatles Go Baroque (over quarter of million CDs sold worldwide) and Elvis Goes Baroque representing the collections of his commercially most successful Baroque arrangements together with Christmas Goes Baroque 1 and 2.




Personnel:
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Kosice
conducted and arranged by Peter Breiner



Tracklist:
01. The Little Drummer Boy "Carol of the Drum" (Davis) 1.13
02. Silent Night (Gruber) 3.38
03. We Wish You A Merry Christmas (Traditional) 3.28
04. Jingle Bells (Traditional) 4.36
05. Kommet, ihr Hirten (Traditional) 3.58
06. Alle Jahre wieder (Traditional) 3.02
07. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Traditional) 7.00
08. Kling Glöckchen, klingeling (Traditional) 4.39
09. The First Noel (Traditional) 3.11
10. O du fröhliche Play (Traditional) 4.38
11. Jolly Old Saint Nicolas (Traditional) 2.57
12. Adeste fideles (Traditional) 3.02
13. O Tannenbaum (Traditional) 4.24
14. Good King Wenceslas (Traditional) 3.35
15. Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (Traditional) 2.51
16. Get Up, Shepherds (Traditional) 6.06
17. The Little Drummer Boy "Carol of the Drum" (Davis)
1.12


ARMU 2222
ARMU 2222 (zippyshare)