Our Review
Christmas with The Pro Arte Singers and the Pro Arte Festival Orchestra is the perfect wake up music for a lazy Saturday in August, inspiring yet soothing, engaging without being demanding. Some may prefer to use this excellent recording for wake up music on a lazy Sunday in mid-December, but to each her own, I say. I take my soothing when and where I can get it.
I like The Singers' rich, moody, and soft-edged harmonies. Billed as Fairfield, Connecticut's and Westchester, New York's "only choral group composed entirely of professional singers," these singers are exceptionally well-trained and well-coached (by famed musical director Arthur Sjögren).
On this remarkably entertaining live recording, the Singers are joined by the Pro Arte Festival Orchestra. While the sound of the Pro Arte Singers lacks for nothing, still their sound receives a boost from The Orchestra, which yields an enriched musicality to this endeavor, a live performance at the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, Connecticut. Acoustically, Christmas with is a complete coup, as the lofty sound of choir and chamber orchestra weave a seamless tapestry of old-fashioned churchiness.
I loved it.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2006)
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From the liner notes:
The Pro Arte Singers and the Pro Arte Festival Orchestra
Arthur Sjögren, Artistic Director
Pro Arte Singers:
Sopranos: Deborah Chávez, Eileen Clark, Karen Morse Evans, Joan Krause, Amanda Merrill, Ellen Taylor Sisson, Cynthia Wallace, Elena WIlliamson
Altos: Catherine G. Bihler, Sarah Bleasdale, Lori K. Blythe, Sharon D. Gordon, Diana Salesky, Daniel Scarozza, David Scarozza, Larry Zukof
Tenors: WIlliam Cruse, Andrew Gordon, Gregory Hostetler, G. Jan Jones, Erik Paul, Stephen Rosser, David Smith, Charles Tackett
Basses: Hayes Biggs, Waler DuMelle, Joel Jones, Dan Kean, Carl Mezoff, Alan Rasmussen, Kent Smith
Pro Arte Festival Orchestra
Violin: Mark Rike, Millie Piekos
Viola: Ellen Higham
Cello: Steven Thomas
Bass: Edward Allman
Oboe: Olav Van Hezewijk, Marta Boratgis
English Horn: Olav Van Hezewijk
Conductor, Arthur Sjögren
Concertmaster, Mark Rike
Accompanist, Andrew Gordon
The Pro Arte Singers and the Pro Arte Festival Orchestra
Christmas with the Pro Arte Singers and the Pro Arte Festival Orchestra
Artist link
Label: Musicians Showcase Recordings
Length: 70 minutes
Genre: Choral
Release: 2000
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue - John Joubert |
| Once In Royal David's City - H.J. Gauntlett |
| O Magnum Mysterium - Pierre Villette |
| Dessen Preis Die Hirten Sangen - J.C.F. Bach |
| Hymne A La Vierge - Pierre Villette |
| The Silver Stars - William James |
| Carol Of The Birds - W. James |
| Christmas Night - W. James |
| Sing Gloria - W. James |
| The Shepherds Had An Angel - Maurice Besley |
| Jul, Jul - Gustaf Nordquist |
| Magnificat - Jan Dismas Zelenka |
| Here Is The Little Door - Herbert Howells |
| There Is No Rose - Joel Martinson |
| Sleep Holy Babe - J. B. Dykes |
| Sleep, Sweet Babe - Edmund Rubbra |