Our Review
Christmas is a time of strong emotions, from joy to sadness and from bubbly effervescence to moody melancholy. Jon Schmidt Christmas captures the feelings of the holiday season in all their richness. Schmidt's piano is sweet and easy on the ear. But his straight ahead simplicity can be deceptive, belying the immense depth of his work. I was impressed with the range of emotions both conveyed and evoked by his work.
I was swept away by the vibrance of I Saw Three Ships. In a kick- up-your-heels irish romp, Schmidt's fingers dance an impromptu Riverdance. Schmidt's own arrangement, Christmas Morning, is an upbeat tune that celebrates all the best of Christmas morning: the anticipation of opening brightly colored packages, waking up early to that first cup of hot coffee, and being caught in the whirlwind called cooking the Christmas dinner. And, finally, his rendering of Silent Night struck just the right chord for me--reverent jubilation. His almost silent introduction builds to a joyful crescendo. Schmidt's love of the Christmas season is evident in his play.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1999)
No More
Jon Schmidt
Jon Schmidt Christmas
Artist link
Label: Shadow Mountain
Length: 48 minutes
Genre: Classical
Release: 1997
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Were You There? |
| Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella |
| Christmas Medley |
| Stars Were Gleaming |
| I Saw Three Ships |
| Star Carol |
| It Came Upon the Midnight Clear |
| Christmas Morning |
| Susser de Glocken (Sweet Are the Bells) |
| Christmas Hymn |
| Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming |
| Behold and See |
| Gaelic Blessing |
| Silent Night |