Music Review: Christmas with Placido Domingo, Vienna Symphony Orchestra

Christmas with Placido Domingo, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, arranged and directed Lee Holdridge, CBS, Tokyo, 1981. 

Placido Domingo is the best singer for some songs, and then some songs just don't fit the opera style voice.  Cantique de Noel, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day and Silent Night are examples of songs perfectly suited for Domingo's style of singing.  These three conclude this album and are beautifully done.  On the other hand I'll Be Home for Christmas just doesn't work.  He also starts off with a medley of traditional Christmas songs that are really nice, Joy to the World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Good King Wencelas, Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem and The First Noel all really pop.  I also like Mary's Boy Child.  This was C.D. has some beautiful singing.

  

Christmas Music Review: Michael Bolton: This Is the Time: The Christmas Album

 This is a 10-song album of Michael Bolton released by Columbia Records, 1996.

I was very impressed with the song opening the CD, Silent Night.  Even though this is a very old song, Boltong did it with such flare and energy.  I did not realize Bolton had such a high tenor voice.  The album contains two duets: Ave Maria with Placido Domingo a new song, This is the Time with Wynonna Judd.  The second verse, "Sometimes life leads you blind, To the one you've been waiting to find, Sometime life lets you see, Just how great the gift of love can be, Now the light that fires the brightest stars, Is waiting to shine on this moment of ours."  I think that is pretty cool.  The CD includes other favorites: Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Joy to the World, The Christmas Song, O Holy Night, and White Christmas.  This is a fun album.

Christmas Music Review: The Three Tenors Christmas

The three Tenors are well known, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.  They each have advanced opera in a big way.  However, there type of singing is not necessarily best for Christmas music.  It all seems to sound the same after a time.  Pavarotti of course is no longer with us.  This CD was recorded with the Vienna Orchestra in 2000.
Songs of note include "Silent Night.  In this song they sing in the original German.  Pavarotti takes the lead on "Adeste Fideles" (O come All Ye faithful), and "Cantique Noel" (O Holy Night)  They conclude with "Feliz Navidad." "White Christmas" is also nice.

Musical Review: Christmas in Vienna (1993)

This concert presents two of the three tenors, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, with Diana Ross.  There are many beautiful songs here.  Domingo sings "Ave Maria," Ross sings "Amazing Grace."  Diana Ross also sings one of her singles, "If We Hold On Together."  It is quite enjoyable:

Don't lose your way
With each passing day
You've come so far
Don't throw it away
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith, hope and glory
Hold to the truth in your heart

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

This is from "Land Before Time."

The highlight of this concert is a medley of songs sung by the trio, with solos throughout.  There is also a boys choir which sings with the  trio which really adds to the performance.  Stille Nacht then tops of this lovely musical presentation.