The Curse of Cutesy Holiday Cover Art

 

Sometimes a detriment to these Naxos Classical Christmas recordings.

I said the same about Naxos' Night Before Christmas series covers as well. They don't bother me, but I imagine serious listeners would avoid covers such as these, although they may also avoid light Christmas music in general.

It is too bad, for this recording offers very intelligent carol orchestrations from Roderick Elms. Sure, he leans on the cinematic side, with a very strong bass and soaring horns, yet the large role for pipe organ sets this program apart from others.

The organ concertante work Wassail Down the Wind is his most original creation here, almost sounding gnarly in portions, with the carols often obscured for large swathes of time over Elms' original material. On the other side, Elms orchestrates two Bach favorites for orchestra and organ, but instead of chorus, horns interestingly take their place.

Best of all, Elms chooses carols which are not at the peak of familiarity, at least in the US, offering a bit of variety from other choral/orchestral recordings of the season, with a few original yuletide works from the composer.

Of course, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a lush sounding group, perfect for this mix of serious, precious, and populous fare. The Joyful Company of Singers are delightful, especially in the titular Festive Frolic, a work which finds the vocal ensemble ululating wordlessly. Tenor Mark Wilde is effective in his pair of contributions too.

Look past the cartoonish cover and enjoy something a little different for the holiday season. Roderick Elms should please both a general audience and some serious collectors who don't poo-pooh Christmas caroling on record.

 

Listen on YouTube

 

 

Soloists
Mark Wilde, tenor
Stuart Nicholson, organ

Performers
Joyful Company of Singers
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Stephen Bell, conductor

Label: Naxos
Year: 2007
Total Timing: 62.20

 

 

 

I like this recording quite a bit. Roderick Elms provides orchestrations which are both entertaining and satiating.

Festive Frolic should be a no-brainer for those who enjoy this light orchestral holiday fare.