Imagine Christmas

Bates, Kathryn; American Contemporary Music Ensemble; McFarlane, Ronn; Nei, Caleb; Levingston, Bruce; Varga, Matei; Goodyear, Stewart; Muresanu, Irina; Hills, Cory; Lewis, Lydia; Jasper String Quartet; Ensemble Galilei; Skylark Vocal Ensemble; Cuarteto Latinoamericano

Note the three striking elements on this album, from the minute you press play. The first is the quality of the performances. These are top-level musicians bringing their same superlative artistry to Christmas favorites that they do to a Schubert quartet or Taverner score. The second is the sterling quality of the recording. If there is a sonic equivalent to sipping a hot toddy while curled up before a roaring fire, it is Sono Luminus’s peerless mixes and captures. Third–and in every way as essential as the previous two–this is a kaleidoscopic collection of styles and interpretations of beloved songs and carols that keeps one eager for the next number. With such a fetching variety of artists and approaches, you will find yourself going top-to-tail on this one. Simplicity is an underrated avenue when it comes to holiday releases, so the entries by Irina Muresanu & Matei Varga, Bruce Levingston, Kathryn Bates, and Skylark Vocal Ensemble are a breath of proverbial fresh air. Muresanu’s seductive playing is a glimpse into the golden age of violin technique–lush vibrato and delicious sentimentality, which infuses “White Christmas” with every bit of nostalgia one could hope for.

Price: $19.98

In stock
ships in 3 to 5 days