Judith Lynn Stillman and Friends
Christmas Remembered
North Star Records NS0024
USA Today's Tip-Off: "Get in the holiday spirit with 'Christmas Remembered', a collection of carols featuring pianist Judith Lynn Stillman." "Just in time for Christmas is this cozy disc of holiday chamber music, like a gathering of friends playing Christmas music together", hails the Seattle Times.
In what can only be described as a milestone in holiday music recordings, internationally-acclaimed pianist-arranger Judith Lynn Stillman joins with musicians from the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and the Academy of Saint-Martin in the Fields. Featuring a subtle blend of traditional Christmas carols and familiar Classical music in Stillman's ingenious arrangements, this North Star Records' best-seller is an eloquent statement of the holiday spirit.
"A delight for those who want something other than noisy, glittery choir-and-orchestra carols. Most of the arrangements are for piano and strings--piano trio or quartet. A few are for flute and guitar. When I played these on the radio I got instant positive response. Judith Stillman did most of the arrangements and holds the whole production together. She was voted outstanding pianist in her 1982 Juilliard graduating class. Flutist Mindy Kaufman is from the New York Philharmonic, violinist Martin Chalifour is with the Cleveland Orchestra, and so on- fine musicians. The recording is clear as a bell.
The Paradies Toccata combines quite smoothly with "Ding Dong Merrily on High." The Lizst Paganini Etude works amazingly well with "Deck the Halls. I rather like the Chopinesque arrangement of "O Holy Night." The "Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy" blends almost imperceptibly into the "Carol of the Bells." Handel's "Joy to the World" sounds terrific this way- and the Bach pieces- "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Sheep May Safely Graze"- thrive. Mr. Chalifour does a beautiful Schubert "Ave Maria." Good arrangements that give new life to old favorites."
American Record Guide
Some selections include:
Joy to the World |
| Oh Holy Night |
| Greensleeves |
| Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring |
| Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy |
| Carol of the Bells |
| Gesu Bambino |
| Pacelbel's Canon in D |
| Traumerai |
| Etude/Deck the Halls |
| Intermezzo/Silent Night |
| O Come O Come Emmanuel |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman |
| Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella |
Click on to
listen to a sample selection. |
|
|