Luke Francis

I had not heard this album until this year (2008) when my local NPR station played about half of it at one go while I was driving down the highway. Like all the previous reviewers (but one), I think it's absolutely lovely. My only complaint was that my eyes kept tearing up while I needed to see the road. I simply can't imagine a more beautiful voice, or more beautiful delivery of these songs. (A little later I heard the great Jessye Norman singing some of the same material, and my feeling was that her versions are very impressive to the ears -- but Kathleen's strike right to the heart.)

Sometimes lovely but marred by an overall sense of caution. Kathleen Battle, who sang with such warmth on "Pleasures of Their Company"(her "Ave Maria" on that recording is miraculous)reins her voice in on every song. Incredibly, she shies away from the vowel 'e', turning Maria into Mariah. As pretty and brittle as a glass ball.

This is a glorious Christmas CD that everyone who loves the season should have. What a joyful noise spills from the throat of this lady! If you have this album along with Maureen Mcgovern's Christmas CD...believe me you will be set for Christmas with Kathleen providing the Classical and Maureen providing a Pop/Jazzy feel. You won't be able to help playing these albums year round!

Kathleen Battle has a crisp,clear voice that is un-equaled. This cd is a joy to listen too all year round not just during the Christmas season.

(Review by Minionette)
I rarely buy Christmas music, but I came across this CD at a garage sale & went for it because of the performer. For pennies, it was worth trying out. Oh my. This album dropped down from heaven. Battle's voice is soaring yet sweet, & great care is evident in her impeccable styling & phrasing of even the foreign language carols. You may feel, as I have, that one is finally hearing each song as it was meant to sound.

Teriffic album for playing on Christmas morning. Wonderful classical songs with great arrangements.

This has become one of my favorite holiday CDs, with Ms. Norman providing a lovely mix of traditional and non-traditional music. Of particular note is the almost haunting "Balm in Gilead
" that proves once again that Jessye Norman is one of the best American singers today.

I first purchased "Classics for All Seasons: Winter" as a personal Christmas gift. If a CD could be worn out, I would have done so. Not only are these excellent performances of favorites, the variety of the selections saves the listener from a monotony of only choral/instumental pieces. I was delighted to find the complete BOX SET to add Spring, Summer, and Autumn to my CD carousel. The musical selections effortlessly follow the progression of mood through the year: the sparkling sunny disposition of Spring; the color and sultry warmth of Summer; the melancholy of Autumn; and finally, a refreshing mixture of the secular and religious themes of Winter. This is a great gift for everyone on your list, especially you!

The very popular and much recorded Fauré 'Requiem' is most often presented either in the concert hall or in church and cathedral settings as a work for mixed chorus, soloists, and orchestra. In this fine recording made in St Thomas Church the work is performed by the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys and there is an ethereal lyricism and innocence to this interpretation. 'Pie Jesu' is sung by boy sopranos and the sound is haunting. The impeccable soloists are Christopher Trueblood and Brian P. Harlow. Gerre Hancock conducts the Orchestra of St' Luke's and this choir, favoring slower tempi that allow the reverberation of the church to work its magic.

Included on this recording is Poulenc's 'Concerto in G minor for Organ, Strings and Tympani' with Judith Hancock as the soloist. She plays with style and grace very much in the manner in which Poulenc conceived this work. She is ably supported by the Orchestra of St. Luke's and the overall effect, while not as dramatic as in other recordings, is one more spiritually centered. This is a fine recording and a nice alternative to the usual Fauré Requiem sound. Grady Harp, October 05