Although I love classical music, I’m not that partial to Baroque choral works, which comprises most of this CD. However, there are a few purely instrumental interludes on here as well. Therefore, I was hesitant to buy it, but decided to take a chance. Well, I’m pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable this music is to me. If you want a very serene and mellow soundtrack for your Christmas, and of good quality music, this CD fits the bill. Tempos are on the slow to moderate side. The excellent sound quality enhances the enjoyment, since there is a very natural sound that gives one a good sense of the acoustics of the concert hall at Harvard University where it was recorded. To me it has just the right amount of echo. Also, the mellow sound of the period instruments fits in well here. The entire disc runs 77 minutes.
At first I was puzzled that this recording has just a little J.S. Bach and nothing by Handel, but the booklet explains that while those two were the “towering” composers of Baroque music, they were actually the culmination of many earlier Baroque composers from several countries. Therefore, on this CD the emphasis is on “the full range of Baroque chronology and styles.” That works well for me, since I have a good bit of Bach and Handel, but it might not work as well for someone who does not have much of their music. At any rate, this is a very enjoyable disc that I’m glad to make a permanent part of my Christmas.
Rating: 4 / 5
Although I love classical music, I’m not that partial to Baroque choral works, which comprises most of this CD. However, there are a few purely instrumental interludes on here as well. Therefore, I was hesitant to buy it, but decided to take a chance. Well, I’m pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable this music is to me. If you want a very serene and mellow soundtrack for your Christmas, and of good quality music, this CD fits the bill. Tempos are on the slow to moderate side. The excellent sound quality enhances the enjoyment, since there is a very natural sound that gives one a good sense of the acoustics of the concert hall at Harvard University where it was recorded. To me it has just the right amount of echo. Also, the mellow sound of the period instruments fits in well here. The entire disc runs 77 minutes.
At first I was puzzled that this recording has just a little J.S. Bach and nothing by Handel, but the booklet explains that while those two were the “towering” composers of Baroque music, they were actually the culmination of many earlier Baroque composers from several countries. Therefore, on this CD the emphasis is on “the full range of Baroque chronology and styles.” That works well for me, since I have a good bit of Bach and Handel, but it might not work as well for someone who does not have much of their music. At any rate, this is a very enjoyable disc that I’m glad to make a permanent part of my Christmas.
Rating: 4 / 5