5 comments about A Winter Solstice Reunion.

1. This is the best of the Winter solstice albums. I'm not one for a real new age sound. I like classic, celtic, instruments. This CD shines... contemporary with olde sounds. The second track is by far the best track to me.. it has a holiday flavor, but I don't just listen to this during the holidays. In fact, all of the Solstice albums are like this really. Its not Christmassy.. its beautiful, serene, music. My other favorites are I, II, and VI.



2. I have been a fan of the Windham Hill label for many years...almost since its beginning. I prefer some collections to others, but,the Winter's Solstice series continues as a favorite. For sentimental reasons, I've always been fond of the original realase in the set and when I saw this one I thought that perhaps through some miracle or some heavy lifting on the label's part, it would be comprised of new pieces from the artists on AWS. But after a quick look I have to ask, In what way is this a "reunion?" OK, Liz Story and label founder Will Ackerman are present, but where's the rest of the class? Granted, one would be hard pressed to hear new material from Shadowfax, whose offering for AWS came from their work while on another label(pre-WH), but certainly others beside Story and Ackerman survive to this day. Not to worry, the material that is here is enjoyable as always, but, if you were nostalgic for the artists of the first release, a reunion this is not.



3. Probably 4.5 stars; A SUPERB release, and an attempt to get back to as many of the original groundbreaking artists which made the Winter's Solstice series so endearing. Highlights: As ALWAYS, I look forward most to Ackerman and especially, Barbara Higbee's contributions to any of the Winter's Solstice CDs. Higbee in particular, always has the most surprising arrangments or original compositions, and this release is a perfect example. "Snowfall Lullaby" is one of the most touching lullaby melodies. (though it is by no means sleepy; simply comforting in a sort of "neo-celtic" way). There are Harps, violin & piano; you simply must hear it to know how fine it is, and to experience what I'm trying to describe in words. Ackermann normally tries to write something original, or which is not a traditionally well-known Christmas song, which was the overall attempt in the groundbreaking first two Winter's Solstice releases. Here he does a pensive remake of one of his classics "Impending Death Of The Virgin Spirit". Perhaps one might see it as a deep-reflection on Mary's depth of charcter and her impending suffering which will one day lead to the loss of her child. Darol Anger's "I saw Three Ships" is an quite original, if more familiar melody. It's an arrangement that is peaceful & lilting & not the usual "jig" we hear so often. There are so many others: "What are the Signs" by Winston is a perfect "10", "Year's End" by Manring, Paul McCandless's "20 Degrees Below" and Liz Story's "Babe Is Born/Enter The Stable Gently". While there are a couple uneven spots, by some less familiar artists, this is one of the essential releases of the series. My final recommendation is to buy the SECOND Winter's Solstice release first, which to me, has always been the pinnacle of originality & creative spirit, even exceeding the fine first release, and then also buy this release to see how original these collections can be, before venturing into some of the later ones, most of which are good, but which often feature traditional Christmas melodies rather than the more obscure carols & original compositions featured here. Overall, nearly a perfect release!



4. This is very much in the genre of the "Winter Solstice" series. It is still very enjoyable, however, if you long for a more meditative offering. Perfect Holiday music choice.



5. Having not heard the "Soltice"s' in years, my husband loved this CD.

5 comments about Piano Winterlude.

1. We own a library of over 1000 cds of various genres, and if I could only pick one to keep, this would be it. I've owned this CD for years, and I always come back to it, even at times other than Christmas. It is all piano, no other vocals or instrumentals. It's peaceful, soothing, uplifiting, even on a bleak February day or a blustery September night.
   
   Point of note, this album is currently listed on Amazon as "Various Artists" but from everything I can tell on my CD, it's played and produced by one artist, pianist David Huntsinger.



2. Because of this tape (I originally purchased the audio cassette), I am now addicted to piano music. I am in this site today to try to find it on CD. This is absolutely beautiful music and I'm looking for it every Christmas. I only wish it contained more music than it does. It's also very difficult to find another one that comes close to being as good as this one. I had to start buying classical music to quench my thirst for more of this kind of music!



3. There are a plethora of instrumental Christmas CDs available on the market today, but none can compare to "Piano Winterlude." This is the perfect Christmas album.
   
   Imagine yourself at home on a winter's night. It's twilight, a light snow is falling, and inside, you are cozied up to the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa or wassail, the Christmas tree is sparkling with lights and tinsel, and from somewhere comes the sound of a solo piano playing softly in the background.
   
   "Piano Winterlude" will set this scene for you perfectly. It is a compilation of traditional carols, hymns, and popular Christmas songs, played by pianist David Huntsinger.
   
   This CD will remind you of joyful Christmases past, or of happy gatherings with family and friends singing carols, or perhaps you'll reflect on the the contentment and the solemnity of the holiday season.
   
   While the CD is somewhat short (only 35 minutes), it remains one of the most important pieces in my Christmas music collection. This is one case where quality is more important than quantity. If you never purchase another CD, you'll definitely want to add this one to your collection.
   
   Note: This CD is out of print, so it may be difficult to obtain. However, your searching will be greatly rewarded once you have found it, for you will never tire of the sounds of the comtemplative Christmas that "Piano Winterlude" inspires.



4. I recieved this CD for Christmas a few years ago, and it immidiately became my favorite. You just can't play it enough times! I was so excited when I found the Piano Winterlude piano book. I play through it all the time, and a lot of the songs are memorized now! David captures a unique Christmas mood that keeps your spirits stirred. Enjoy!!



5. I listen to this CD to relax myself to sleep. I'm a bit embarrased to admit that originally I didn't know this was Christmas music. I thought that it was just piano music for the Winter season. I agree that this is only David Huntsinger performing. You won't regret this purchase and will find yourself searching for his other music.

No comments about Colection Estelar de Navidad Tropical.

No comments about Songs of Good Cheer.

1 comments about A Very Mulberry Christmas: Iowa Version.

1. The music inlcudes both Christmas carols and new holiday songs. For them all, Mulberry Lane is refreshing, upbeat and almost "sparkles." I wish I would have ordered it earlier--in spite of promises for a before Christmas delivery, it still arrived closer to New Year's and too late to share at the Iowa family Christmas festivities. My advice--buy the music, and buy it early.

3 comments about Jon Schmidt Christmas.

1. I enjoy a wide variety of Christmas music and appreciate hearing the old classics performed in so many varied ways. Jon Schmidt's style is tender, easy, and warm. The perfect CD when you want to relax or simply appreciate well-done piano playing and soothing orchestrations. The first song is heartwarming, one I listen to repeatedly. If you like to try new artists, I suggest that Jon Schmidt will satisfy.



2. I found Jon Schmidt by complete accident while searching for "Christmas Music". What a joy to discover! Unlike the Windom Hill music of yore, the tempo and rhythm changes that he puts the music through is the little spice necessary to hold your interest, without this turning into Elevator Music. I have this album and also Winter Serenade. They are both worthy of hours and hours of repeat listening; each song is different enough from the previous one to entice you to actually LISTEN to the music, rather than it simply being pretty background musak.



3. This by far is my favorite Jon Schmidt album, and one of my favorite Christmas albums of all time. If you like Fresh Aire Christmas albums, you will love this. Each song is so melodious and perfectly written to bring out the Christmas spirit, which is does so extremely well. These songs take on a new, refreshing life in this album, and it just plain soothes the soul and makes you feel good all over, wishing that Christmas would never end. The time and effort Jon put into this album makes this a Christmas classic for years to come, for young and old alike, and leaves me hoping that another Christmas Jon Schmidt CD follows soon.

No comments about Oldies for a Cool Christmas.

1 comments about Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters.

1. It's George Strait. The dicionary definition of the perfect voice. That's all I can say. That's all I need to say...

3 comments about Britten: A Ceremony of Carols.

1. I sang the Ceremony of Carols three years ago with the Colorado Children's Chorale. The music touched my soul in a way that very few pieces have managed to do. Anyone interested in SSAA Christmas music should invest their money into Ceremony. I would do almost anything to sing these songs again. It's a great investment for any Christmas music lover. Sincerely yours, Gia Mora Chinisci Wheat Ridge, Colorado Beatles-Rule@juno.com



2. Trinity College Chapel Choir, Cambridge under the direction of Richard Marlow not only strive for but surely achieve perfection. This CD is a celebration of Britten which includes his Missa Brevis which is simply exquisite.
   Once again, Richard Marlow and Trinity College Choir produce a result that all other choirs undoubtedly aspire to.



3. Trinity College Chapel Choir, Cambridge under the direction of Richard Marlow not only strive for but surely achieve perfection. This CD is a celebration of Britten which includes his Missa Brevis which is simply exquisite.
   Once again, Richard Marlow and Trinity College Choir produce a result that all other choirs undoubtedly aspire to.

2 comments about Midwinter Night's Dream.

1. Nothing could be better, or help more with seasonal blues, than Boys of the Lough's upbeat Celtic Christmas. Better than British pudding after Irish potato soup! I could go to the mall if they played this! You don't have to be a Celtoholic, or know any, to finish your Christmas shopping fr them all with just this.



2. The Boys of the Lough have been around for almost thirty years now, and this album must be the best thing they've done (at least as far as I've heard from them). This is simply one of the most beautiful of Christmas or seasonal albums. At times it can be extremely solemn and moving. Their arrangement of the Irish language carol "Don Oiche ud i mBeithil" is inspired and inspiring. Another highlight is the fantastic tune medley of "The Mummer's Jig" and the reel "Christmas Eve," with Cathal McConnell and Christy O'Leary in fine form on flute and uillean pipes, respectively. McConnell also does a fine job on the English language version of "The Christ Child's Lullaby" (although these ears prefer to hear it in the Scots Gaelic). Aly Bain and Dave Richardson also acquit themselves admirably on this album, with Richardson contributing more of his fine tunes. The closing track, "The Dying Year," with Bain's fiddle accompanied by a tasty, piano backup, is one of the most moving pieces on the album. I often cannot wait for the Christmas season to come around so I play the album year-round (at least the tracks not so obviously associated with Christmas).