A double disc of music recorded between 1952 and 1970,
The Christmas Album aims to evoke an old-fashioned, German-style celebration of the holiday. This collection provides a cozy feeling with its medleys of charming carols and festive splendor in its grand choruses and jubilant organ music. Beyond the points of holiday mood or national flavor, the listener may be even more intrigued by the historical aspects of these recordings, which have languished in Deutsche Grammophon's vault for many decades. While the tracks are either AAD or ADD, the sound quality is amazingly good for the period, even on the oldest selections. The original masters are clean, and though the mono recordings sound a little compressed, they are free of defects. The stereo tracks are even better, with warm tone and realistic depth. The arrangements are tasteful and sweet without being saccharine, a refreshing change from the overblown production values of many later Christmas collections. Finally, the performances -- from artists such as
Fritz Wunderlich,
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and the wonderful
Maria Stader, among many others -- are first-rate and often delightful and endearing. This fascinating and generously filled set is highly recommended, especially as an alternative to the usual seasonal fare. ~ Blair Sanderson