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THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
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Song List:
1 Carol of The Bells (traditional) 3:29
2 O Little Town of Bethlehem (by Philips Brooks and Lewis Redner)
3:14
3 Silent Night (by Franz Gruber) 3:31
4 Angels We Have Heard On High (traditional French) 2:50
5 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (by Richard S. Willis) 3:28
6 The First Noel (traditional English) 3:06
7 Jingle Bells (traditional) 3:30
8 The Coventry Carol (traditional) 2:38
9 Lo How A Rose Eer Blooming 4:14
10 O Holy Night (by Adolphe Adam) 4:22
11 Merry Christmas (by Janice Torre & Fred Spielman) 3:23
12 In the Bleak Midwinter (traditional) 4:30
13 Wind Through The Olive Trees (traditional) 2:56
Robin's newest CD for Christmas is sure to delight lovers of traditional
songs for the season. A unique and simply transporting rendition
of Carol of the Bells opens the CD followed by Christmas
favorites Silent Night, O Holy Night, The
First Noel....all beautifully arranged and lovingly performed
on solo piano.
Her first Christmas CD in seven years and her first EVER solo piano
Christmas CD, The Christmas Collection is sure to become
a holiday favorite for conjuring up images of cherished Christmas
past, and for creating a delicate and delightful atmosphere for
Christmas seasons to come.
All pieces arranged & performed by Robin Spielberg Produced by Robin
Spielberg & Larry Kosson for playMountain
Music, Robin's new label!
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Christmas
Collection Reviews |
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"A gift of aural serenity....Every gentle
tone sparkles with care and peace".
-Sandy Marshall for NAPRA REVIEW
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ROBIN SPIELBERG
The Christmas Collection
playmountain Music
Like a warm holiday gathering, Robin Spielberg's
The Christmas Collection invites the listener to indulge at a table
set with a feast of rich holiday morsels. Ms. Spielberg presents
her delectables with an unhurried savoring of each one, giving the
listener time to enjoy each course in her holiday bouquet. Maybe
that sounds a little gushy, but I was struck by the warmheated style
in evidence on this new CD. And if you thought that was metaphor
was over the top, read on.
Ms. Spielberg's hands imbue her music with a sentimental accessibility
and informality that belie its formal underpinnings. Setting an
earnest tone with a delicate rendering of Carol of the Bells, she
continues with a series of gentle heartfelt arrangements composed
in a way to give currency to timesless values.
Of particular interest was her arrangment
of Merry Christmas, originally performed by Judy Garland in the
1949...Her inclusion of Merry Christmas represents the unearthing
of a rare find that often compels me to buy a record. I also enjoyed
the unpretentious Wind Through The Olive Trees, a song I hadn't
heard.
So by creating a warm sound and by including
a couple of lesser-known works, Robin Spielberg has pretty much
the standard set of Christmas carols and made them sound new.
-Richard Banks for ChristmasReviews.com
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ROBIN SPIELBERG
The Christmas Collection
playmountain Music
The Christmas Collection is Robin Spielberg's
first Christmas album in seven years, and her first ever solo piano
Christmas album. As a piano teacher who teaches Christmas music
from the end of October (recital preparation) through the holidays,
there is kind of a standing joke about how much I hate Christmas
music by the time the holiday actually arrives, but this collection
is so elegant and lovingly played that it might be one of the few
that I will continue to enjoy right through Christmas Day. Spielberg
keeps her arrangements simple, allowing the beauty of the melodies
to sing and gently convey their messages of hope, joy, and peace.
Spielberg opens the collection with a great arrangement of Carol
of the Bells - one of my favorites. This can be a very energetic
piece, and Spielberg slows it down a bit, emphasizing the haunting
melody and harmonies, giving it a fresh new interpretation. Spielberg's
arrangement of O Holy Night is also different, as she gives the
chorus a very gentle and quiet treatment rather than a commanding
Fall on your knees! that is usually done, making this a very understated
and thoughtful piece. Other pieces included are O Little Town of
Bethlehem, Silent Night, The Coventry Carol and a sprightly version
of Jingle Bells. There are also lovely versions of In the Bleak
Midwinter and Wind Through the Olive Trees, which aren't as well-known.
This is a wonderful collection of Christmas music that would be
a great accompaniment for your holiday festivities as well as a
soothing antidote for the stresses of the season. Very highly recommended!
- Kathy Parsons Solo Piano Publications
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