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Pamela Howland is one remarkably talented pianist! "December Classics: Christmas Music from Eastern and Western Europe" is an aptly named CD, presenting over 50 minutes of gorgeous holiday classics for your December pleasure. It is all piano, all the time.

"December Classics" is Howland's first of two holiday discs ("Carols for a Blue Christmas" is also reviewed on this site). She opens the CD with eight traditional carols, then moves into two series of Rumanian Christmas Carols (by Bela Bartok), and closes with eight selections from the Nutcracker Suite (Tchaikovsky).

When you visit the artist's website, you will see two words prominently featured on the home page: "emotion incarnate." That pretty much sums up Howland's playing. She is a classically trained pianist, and her playing reflects the technical mastery that her training implies; her skills, however, transcend the sterile perfection of getting the notes right--she truly does inject a warm emotion into the music. As a result, I listen much more closely to her delivery than I often do when hearing instrumental music; Howland's piano seems to be speaking to me, and I love what I hear.

"December Classics" is consistently excellent throughout. The first set of familiar carols plays like old friends floating on fresh artistry. Howland especially shines on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," which reflects a delicately layered arrangement, and on the authoritative "O Come All Ye Faithful" with its joyous lead-in and interludes. The "Nutcracker Suite" cuts are downright exciting from start to finish.

If you love classical piano treatment of beloved holiday standards, then "December Classics" may quickly become a classic at your place.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Recorded May 2, 6 and June 24, 27, 1999 on the 1898 Steinway "D" piano at the First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC.
Pianist Pamela Howland has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician in both North and South America, receiving enthusiastic critical acclaim for the "passion and joy" radiating from her performances. She has been a featured soloist on live public radio broadcasts in Minnesota, New York, and North Carolina and has been a regular guest performer at the Chautauqua Institution's Summer Music Festival (Chautauqua, NY) since 1993.

Pamela Howland has recently concluded a distinguished 15-year career in university teaching to devote her energies exclusively to performing and recording. She has served on the faculties of Monroe Community College (Rochester, NY), Winona State University (Winona, MN), the North Carolina School of the Arts, Salem College, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Wake Forest University, where she was on the piano faculty from 1988-1998.

She holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance & Literature from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Rebecca Penneys and the New Arts Trio. Performing grants have been awarded to her by the Minnesota State Arts Board and Wake Forest University.

Pamela Howland

Classics: Christmas Music from Eastern and Western Europe

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