Ave Maria - The Ultimate Sacred Christmas Album - Decca - DEC 2894659322 - 0289

Billed as "the ultimate sacred Christmas album," AVE MARIA has reason to claim the title: performances of some of the world's most beloved seasonal music by top international performers make this CD a yuletide tradition in the making. These vocal and orchestral performances feature such legendary performers as Joan Sutherland, Sophie von Otter, and Luciano Pavarotti. The selections without a single featured vocalist are by renowned ensembles such as Sir Neville Marriner's Academy and Chorus of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Each takes advantage of the supreme lyrical nature of this seasonal music, with patient, tempered performances.

Two versions of the title track, "Ave Maria," are the only duplications. Soprano Leontyne Price's soaring and melodic interpretation opens the album with a heavenly beauty, while the power of José Carreras' tenor presents a human passion. Overall, the music presented is a delicate delight, the vocalists' tender performances spreading the joy of the season to a new audience.

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Schubert, Franz : Ave Maria

Performers: Leontyne Price (Soprano); Ave Maria (Soprano)
Conductor: Herbert Karajan
Running Time: 5 min. 32 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Written: 1825

Adam, Adolphe : Cantique de Noël for voice & orchestra ("Minuit, Chrétiens," "O Holy Night")

Performers: Ave Maria (Tenor); Luciano Pavarotti (Tenor)
Conductor: Kurt Adler
Running Time: 4 min. 19 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Vocal
Written: 1851

César Franck (1822 - 1890) : Panis angelicus

Performers: Cecilia Bartoli (Mezzo Soprano); Ave Maria (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor: Myung-Whun Chung
Running Time: 4 min. 22 sec.
Period Time: Post Romantic
Form: Vocal
Written: 1872

Handel, George Frideric : MEDLEY :: Ombra mai fu

Performers: Ave Maria (Countertenor); Andreas Scholl (Countertenor)
Conductor: Roger Norrington
Running Time: 3 min. 3 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Written: 1738

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus : Exsultate jubilate, K 165 (158a) :: Alleluia

Performers: Sylvia McNair (Soprano); Ave Maria (Soprano)
Conductor: John Gardiner
Ensemble: English Baroque Soloists
Running Time: 2 min. 35 sec.
Period Time: Classical
Form: Choral
Written: 1773

Bach, Johann Sebastian : Cantata no 147, "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben," BWV 147 (BC A174) :: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Performer: Ave Maria
Conductor: Barry Rose
Running Time: 3 min. 19 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Written: 07/02/1723

Gounod, Charles : Ave Maria

Performers: José Carreras (Tenor); Michael Gormley (Organ); Ave Maria (Tenor)
Conductor: Uwe Harrer
Running Time: 2 min. 50 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Written: circa 1852

Handel, George Frideric : Judas Maccabaeus, HWV 63 :: See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes

Performers: Ave Maria (Organ); John Scott (Organ)
Conductor: Christopher Dearnley
Notes: Composition written: 1746.
Running Time: 3 min. 55 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 1746

Reger, Max : Mariä Wiegenlied :: "Maria sitzt am Rosenhag"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra),

Performers: Ave Maria (Mezzo Soprano); Knut Sönstevold (Bassoon); Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
Running Time: 2 min. 7 sec.
Period Time: Post Romantic
Form: Vocal
Written: 1912

Bach, Johann Sebastian : Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 :: Jauchzet, Frohlocket!

Performer: Ave Maria
Conductor: Karl Munchinger
Running Time: 3 min. 28 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Christmas
Written: 1734

Handel, George Frideric : Der Messias :: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

Performers: Ave Maria (Mezzo Soprano); Marilyn Horne
Conductor: Henry Lewis
Running Time: 5 min. 1 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 1741

Handel, George Frideric : Der Messias :: For Unto us a Child is Born

Performer: Ave Maria
Conductor: Sir Solti
Running Time: 4 min. 26 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 1741

Handel, George Frideric : Der Messias :: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion

Performers: Joan Sutherland (Soprano); Ave Maria (Soprano)
Conductor: Adrian Boult
Running Time: 4 min. 48 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 1741

Handel, George Frideric : Der Messias :: Hallelujah!

Performer: Ave Maria
Conductor: Sir Marriner
Running Time: 3 min. 48 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 1741

Handel, George Frideric : Der Messias :: I Know That my Redeemer Liveth

Performers: Ave Maria (Soprano); Kiri Te Kanawa (Soprano)
Conductor: Sir Solti
Running Time: 5 min. 56 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 1741

Handel, George Frideric : Der Messias :: The Trumpet Shall Sound

Performers: Bryn Terfel (Bass Baritone); Ave Maria (Bass Baritone)
Conductor: Charles Mackerras
Running Time: 8 min. 51 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 1741

Handel, George Frideric : Der Messias :: Amen

Performer: Ave Maria
Conductor: Trevor Pinnock
Running Time: 3 min. 41 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 1741

Ave Maria - The Ultimate Sacred Christmas Album

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