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A Classic Christmas: the Ultimate Collection of Christmas Classics and Carols

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
from: EMI Classics

November 03, 2003
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

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A Brides Guide to Wedding Music for Civil Ceremonies

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
by: Various Composers

May 29, 2006
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

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Carols from King's

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
from: EMI Classics

November 17, 1997
Having just heard the CD, I am warmed by the quality of ALL the tracks, the singing is beautiful and sung so professionally.
If you are looking for a traditional Carol CD, then I would definately recommend this one,

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Bach: Christmas Oratorio

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
from: Archiv Produktion

October 05, 2000
Having just heard the CD, I am warmed by the quality of ALL the tracks, the singing is beautiful and sung so professionally.
If you are looking for a traditional Carol CD, then I would definately recommend this one,

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Nutcracker & Christmas Eve

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
from: Naxos

October 01, 1999
It's true that the narration style of Prunella Scales is cool and restrained, but that is entirely in keeping with the tone of her script. The music sparkles, and The Nutcracker is full of memorable tunes that children warm to. Can it hold up against all the competition for kids' attention at Christmas? I think it probably can.

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Bach: Christmas Oratorio

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
from: Archiv Produktion

November 04, 1987
This disc is a bit of an oddity. I can give it a perfectly sincere recommendation, but I think I had better explain myself carefully, and explain exactly what I am recommending.

The spirit of the selection is much what you would expect in a disc entitled `Christmas Treats from JSB' or `Immortal Melodies from The Christmas Oratorio' or something of that sort. Bach's Christmas Oratorio is not an oratorio in the Handelian sense. In the 1730's Bach faithfully turned out a cantata for each Sunday and major feast, but in one particular year he elected to reprocess some of his older music, most of it secular originally, and string the numbers together for the entire festive season under the overall title of `Christmas Oratorio'. Borrowing, ... Read More:

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Music for Weddings

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
from: Classic FM

February 20, 2006

Weddings often bring out the best in music, and this `Classic FM Music For Weddings' certainly reflects the type of music being played at today's happy occasions.

It has though been superseded by the 2CD Classic FM `Weddings 2008' which not only gives a little more choice but more importantly divides the music into two categories - religious weddings and church weddings, for it is easy to forget that sacred music (loosely termed as that which was written for the church or a religious occasion) is not allowed to be played at civic weddings while the registrar is present.

With that in mind, this is still a good album of lovely music, and although suitable for all church services, you should check with the registrar before ... Read More:

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A Bride's Guide to Wedding Music

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
from: Naxos

May 05, 2003
It was only after I bought "A Bride's Guide to Wedding Music" that I then discovered "A Bride's Guide to Music for Civil Ceremonies" so if you come across the former first, be warned that it's meant for church weddings (although it doesn't specify this in the title!). The inlay inside however is quite clear that the music is meant predominatly for church weddings. Some very well known classics in here that have been heard in lager adverts to children's programmes and therefore nothing too original.

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Christmas Music from Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
from: Hyperion

July 01, 1994
This is now the 11th Christmas that this music has been part of the tradition of my holiday season, and although I've acquired numerous other holiday music collections over the years, this far surpasses any other collection that I own. It is difficult to do justice to this music by describing it in mere words. The collection ranges from the 14th to the 16th Century, and is unlike any other collection of Christmas music available. It evokes the true spirit of the Christmas season, is enlightening, inspirational, and transports the listener far from the trite elements of the 'modern' holiday season. No other choral group can compare to the Harry Christophers The Sixteen (named such as the group consists of four treble/mean, four alto, four ... Read More:

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Hiawatha's Wedding Feast/Petite Suite De Concert (Sargent)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Occasions
by: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

July 11, 2005
For me the interesting thing about Coleridge-Taylor is that there is a familiarity about his work on first hearing. I suspect this is because he was such a prominent composer in his day and greatly influenced contemporary and later composers. His tragedy was dying so young and so his fame was quickly outshone. I can almost guarantee that the Petite Suite de Concert will have a comfortable familiarity about it for you even though this will almost certainly be the first time you've heard it. Charles Elford - author of Black Mahler The Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Story