So I've kind of fallen in love with "In the Bleak Midwinter." One of our choir classes is singing it and it's very lovely, right? The problem: I can only find terrible schmaltzy recordings of it (Sarah Brightman and Frida from Abba and awful soft-focused choir boys.) Does anyone know of anything better? Sufjan hasn't tried it has he? :) The opposite of schmaltz.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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9 comments:
I like James Taylor's recording of it. Not sure if it counts as schmaltzy or not . . .
Lots: http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1228957043/ref=sr_f2_all?ie=UTF8&rs=&keywords=in%20the%20bleak%20midwinter&rh=i%3Adigital-music%2Ck%3Ain%20the%20bleak%20midwinter%2Ci%3Adigital-music-track
There're preview clips for all of them. The Robert Shaw recording sounds promising to me as far as choral settings go. I'm partial to the Sarah MacLachlan one, too.
Thanks for a new favorite Christmas song :)
I just came across this:
http://yourheartout.com/?p=3518
Not an answer to your question, but another one. And asking the right question is half the problem, no?
I assume you're talking the Holst setting? Depends what you're looking for, really. I could find good choral recordings, but I'm not so much help if you want something less conventional/more solo.
Oooh, I just remembered the MoTab recording with Sissel. Maybe MoTab is overdone and/or overrated, but Sissel is great. I love her. I'll send you the song.
I've been listening to Sufjan's "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" non-stop lately. It was already my favorite hymn, but when sung by Bro. Sufjan it's quickly becoming one of my favorite things period. I'll have to look up your "In the Bleak Midwinter" to compare.
Liz-- definitely toes the line.
Cathryn--I like the Sarah one too (which I found right after I posted and was exactly what I was looking for practically)
Rachel--ooooh.
Katherine: I think so. I don't mind choral, but not like self-conscious choral. I want it to feel a little organic. ?
Daine--Sufjan makes Christmas for me. I love him. (Particularly "The Worst Christmas Ever" and "Lo How a Rose Ere Bloometh.") Pedro the Lion also does a good Come Thou Fount, but the only recording I know is live and in a club and David Bazan sounds like he might be wasted. Which adds a certain something.
i have a texas boys choir one that is simple and pretty nice, if you want it.
or if you like boys choirs...
the word verification is unclog, ha.
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