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Three years ago, it was my pleasure to review Awaken Our Souls, O God of Hope, the 2-CD showcase of the 2003 St. Olaf Christmas Festival, and it was glorious. So I naturally jumped at the chance this fall to review two more Christmas Festival releases, the 2006 edition (reviewed here) and last year's festival, the subject of this review. Minnesotans know well the St. Olaf Christmas Festival as a bona fide holiday institution; the substantial (105-minutes) affair has entertained audiences for nearly a century with largely classical Christmas fare. And so it is with Where Peace and Love and Hope Abide, a stirring presentation of well-executed choral delights, admirably supported by excellent orchestration.

Imagine yourself in the front seat of one of these events. The classical choral music is majestic, moving, and celebratory. Five excellent choirs participate: the St. Olaf Choir, the St. Olaf Cantorei, the Manitou Singers, the Viking Chorus, and Chapel Choir. The St. Olaf Orchestra is also exemplary. Given my predilection for a cappella music, I found myself especially drawn to the segments that showcased voices alone, including the Gloria (St. Olaf Cantorei)/Noel! (Viking Chorus)/Gloria (Chapel Choir) trio on the first (of two) CDs. I similarly embraced the five vocal groups singing together on Carols for the Choirs on the second disc; this medley does end with the St. Olaf Orchestra jumping into the mix with a beautiful Joy to the World fanfare. Everything on this set is first-rate.

Likely to be most treasured by those who have had the unforgettable opportunity to experience the St. Olaf Christmas Festival firsthand, this dandy recording envelops the listener in the full grandeur of St. Olaf's annual ritual. As a live recording, you do have the distant murmur of audience noise (mostly in the faded volume as one track ends and another begins); the acoustics are generally outstanding. The numbers flow together almost seamlessly, carrying the listener along in a river of classical music executed with professionalism and exuberant heart. There are brief narrative bits tying together the Christmas story.

If you have never been to St. Olaf, and you have not experienced one of the Christmas Festivals for yourself, one of the festival releases would be your ticket to Minnesota for the holidays. Where Peace and Love and Hope Abide is more than just a mouthful; it is top-quality entertainment for the afficionade of classical choral fare. Enjoy!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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The 96th Annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival
St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota

For many people over the years, the celebration of the Advent Christmas Epiphany season has begun with the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a cherished tradition of the college for nearly a centure. The first festival, in 1912, was a musical program for the college community, planned and directed by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf Music Department. The festival continues as an outgrowth of Christian conviction and an expression of the rich musical heritage at St. Olaf, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble are: the St. Olaf Choir directed by Anton Armstrong, the St. Olaf Orchestra directed by Steven Amundson, the St. Olaf Cantorei directed by John Ferguson, the Manitou Singers directed by Sigrid Johnson, and the Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir directed by Christopher Aspaas.


From the Website:

St. Olaf Records is the producer and distributor of recordings by the vocal and instrumental ensembles of St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN including the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival. It has long been a mission of the college to share, with an ever expanding audience, the high level of music that is studied and performed "on the hill."

St. Olaf College Christmas Festival

Where Peace and Love and Hope Abide

Artist link

Track List