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Only a hard-hearted Scrooge could dislike Emilie's Christmas, which features a very talented eleven-year-old harpist. What's more, three tracks present the sweet singing of a polished children's choir. Emilie Whiman is a member of Winter Harp, a wonderful ensemble that has two other holiday albums (see Winter Harp and Christmas Night on this site). Little Emilie has performed with Winter Harp since she was six years old, and her budding expertise is most impressive here.

This album exudes a sweet tenderness not often found on holiday albums. The harp is an excellent instrument to convey the delicate innocence of the season, and that effect applies double-fold in the hands of this remarkable child. Certainly, if I had not known Emilie's true age, I never would have guessed her tender years. Everything about Emilie's Christmas is first class, and any adult artist would be proud to perform as well as this young girl.

Here's a confession. Sometimes, the inclusion of a children's choir is done purely for the "cute factor"; the immature voices come across as gimmicky and can detract from the music. On Emilie's Christmas, however, this is definitely not a concern--the Vancouver-based AcademyWest Schola Cantorum is a most impressive group. They sing on three numbers ("O Little Child," "Carol of the Child," and "The Friendly Beasts"), and their music is a wonderful addition to this charming CD. The children sing with professional control and quality, and soloist Shylo Sharity is just incredible.

Every track on this disc is a treat. The opening "Joy to the World" features Emilie playing solo, and the intriguing arrangement by her mother Jill Whitman is dynamite. In fact, Jill Whitman arranged most of these familiar tunes (sometimes with her daughter's help). "Joy to the World" has a marvelous, cascading effect like light snowfall at the beginning, end, and at various interludes.

But Emilie's Christmas is not just solo harp, although Emilie does star alone on four tracks. In addition to the choral work described earlier, Emilie is joined by friends playing the flute, nyckelharpa, and percussion on several cuts, and on "What Child Is This?" by a string ensemble (violins, viola, cello, bass). Emilie even adds her own composition here "Fairies' Dance", which will have you watching Tinkerbell flying freely through your living spaces!

I hate to take this CD off my system--it's an absolute delight, especially if you are looking for some sweet serenity on a harried afternoon. Come dance with the fairies! Make it an Emilie's Christmas this year!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Emilie Whitman: harp
Kenich Ueda: flute
Joaquin Ayala: nyckelharpa
Lauri Lyster: percussion
Choir director: Fiona Blackburn
Choir: AcademyWest Schola Contorum
Soloist: Shylo Sharity
Violins: Mark Ferris and Mark Koenig
Viola: Isabelle Roland
Cello: Finn Manniche
Bass: Rick Kilburn

Engineered and mixed by Dwayne Harder
Produced by Jill Whitman and Lori Pappajohn
Mastered by Rick Kilburn at Riverside Recordings, Burnaby, B.C., Canada

Emilie Whitman is the youngest member of Winter Harp. She began performing with the ensemble when she was six years old and made this recording when she was 11.

Says Emilie: "I have always loved the harp more than any other instrument. The sound of the harp is so hauntingly beautiful."

When she's not playing the harp, Emilie enjoys riding her horse Jazzmine, reading, writing stories, dancing, singing, acting, and composing. Her composition Fairies' Dance is featured on this CD.

Emilie grew to love the harp, in part, because of her mother Jill Whitman, who also plays harp with Winter Harp. Since Emilie was born, and even when she was in the womb, her audible world was filled with the sound of harp as her mother practiced for her many concerts and engagements.

From the Web site:

Eleven-year-old harpist Emilie Whitman's debut CD features all-time favorite carols beautifully played on solo harp as well as carols arranged for harp, flute, award-winning children's choir and string ensemble. Emilie's CD makes a super Christmas gift for children -- or anyone who wants to be inspired by a kid who is going places. Emilie regularly performs with Winter Harp in major theatres across Canada. And she has been featured on national television. The 12 songs on Emilie's CD include Emilie's own composition -- Fairies' Dance. Emilie is extremely gifted -- she plays with a child's innocence, yet with an adult's precise musicianship and depth.

Emilie Whitman with members of Winter Harp

Emilie's Christmas

Artist site

Track List