Our Review
Noel Lester's A Christmas Fantasy is a richly textured and comprehensive treatment of sacred carols and traditional Christmas melodies. At 78 minutes and 27 favorite songs, Dr. Lester has maximized the real estate that can be covered on a single CD. More to the point, however, is the variety of moods he achieves in the process. Playing Jeanine Yeager's challenging and forthright arrangements, his treatments run the gamut from reverent to merry, from pensive to jolly, from cold, starlit Christmas Eve night to bright, shiny Christmas morning.
I don't know which songs I would pick as my favorites on this record, because I more or less chose to experience it in its entirety. But I enjoyed the vocal range and the intricate harmony on God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. I also found much to like in his interpretation of Pat a Pan.
Dr. Lester, a distinguished concert pianist, has put his talent and his soul into these songs. The evidence is in his emotionally nuanced rendering of each song, as well as his obviously adroit play. His play is tasteful without being stilted, spirited without being over-articulated, and sentimental without being mawkish or moody. Heard in foreground or background, Christmas music lovers will enjoy listening to his offering.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2001)
No More
Noel Lester
A Christmas Fantasy
Artist link
Label: RWYA Recordings
Length: 78 minutes
Genre: Classical
Release: 2001
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Joy To The World |
| God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen |
| Deck The Halls |
| Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming |
| Pat-A-Pan |
| In A Manger |
| It Came Upon A Midnight Clear |
| O Come, All Ye Faithful |
| Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella |
| The First Nöel |
| Angels We Have Heard On High |
| Silent Night |
| O Come, O Come, Emmanuel |
| The Boar's Head Carol |
| I Wonder As I Wander |
| The Holly And The Ivy |
| Away In A Manger |
| Carol Of The Bells |
| Coventry Carol |
| Hark! The Herald Angels Sing |
| O Little Town Of Bethlehem |
| Lullaby, My Little Son |
| In Dulci Jubilo |
| We Three Kings |
| Good King Wenceslas |
| What Child Is This? |
| Jingle Bells |