Xmas Carols

Conceived and recorded over the past 2.5 years by Sono Luminus, Imagine Christmas is the perfect album for your holiday celebrations, evoking a very deep sense of nostalgia while remaining wonderfully modern. Includes: Frosty the Snowman - Ensemble Galilei, December: Christmas - Bruce Levingston, White Christmas - Irina Muresanu & Matei Varga, Holly Jolly Christmas - Jasper String Quartet, Walking in the Air - Ronn McFarlane, Twas The Night Before Christmas - Cory Hills, Santa Claus Is Comin to Town - Kathryn Bates, Christmas Time Is Here - Caleb Nei, Joy to the World - Cuarteto Latinoamericano & Lydia Lewis, Good King Wenceslas - Stewart Goodyear, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Skylark Vocal Ensemble and Silent Night.

From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas) is the second classical and Christmas album, and the seventh studio album released by the Finnish soprano Tarja Turunen.On the 22 September 2017, earMUSIC released a video announcing the existence of the album. A music video was released on the 6th of October, with Tarja singing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel". With the album release comes also Tarja Turunen's first ever graphic novel "From Spirits and Ghosts (Novel for a dark Christmas)". The 40-page novel will take you to the world of dark Christmas with the beautiful art of Conor Boyle. The “novel for a dark Christmas” revolves around Tarja’s two characters, the dark and light one, bringing together lonely souls during the festive season.

From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas) is the second classical and Christmas album, and the seventh studio album released by the Finnish soprano Tarja Turunen.On the 22 September 2017, earMUSIC released a video announcing the existence of the album. A music video was released on the 6th of October, with Tarja singing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel". With the album release comes also Tarja Turunen's first ever graphic novel "From Spirits and Ghosts (Novel for a dark Christmas)". The 40-page novel will take you to the world of dark Christmas with the beautiful art of Conor Boyle. The “novel for a dark Christmas” revolves around Tarja’s two characters, the dark and light one, bringing together lonely souls during the festive season.

"I have chosen classics that have a special meaning for me. For me, “Silent Night” brings back many childhood memories; after all, it – the German ver-ion, “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht” – was one of the most often sung carols at home. “River” is a reflection of my reactions as a teenager to this festive season – even though, or perhaps precisely because it is not a classic Christmas song. “Little Christmas Tree” and “The Christmas Song” are of course clearly rooted in the jazz field, which is why I have a special relationship to these songs. Together with my co-musicians Svetoslav Karparov (piano) – who also wrote all the arrangements – Thomas Brendgens-Mönkemeyer (guitar), Hannah Weber (cello), Robin Draganic (bass) and Luca Sestak – my duet partner for “Christmas Time Is Here” – I have endeavoured to imbue each song with a personal touch.

Heavy metal and the holiday season might not seem like the most obvious pairing. But there’s nothing wrong with loving both, as Rob Halford is here to prove. The legendary Judas Priest frontman and solo artist loves Christmas more than you could know. And for his second Christmas-themed album—coming a decade after his first, Winter Songs—he’s given traditional carols a metal makeover, alongside four new original songs. Chances are you already know the centuries-old melodies of “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Halls,” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” But you’ve never heard them quite like this, all speedy, chunky riffs and wild guitar solos. Still, it’s feel-good, sweetly melodic, and (mostly) family-friendly, especially during gentler moments such as the organ-driven “The First Noel” and the epic original closing hymn “Protected by the Light.” Written and recorded by a group that includes Halford’s brother and sister, Nigel and Sue, his nephew Alex (whose father is Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill), and guitarists Robert Jones and Jon Blakey, it’s truly a festive family affair.

Christmas is a time for special musical experiences, from gentle traditional carols to rousing calls for worship. This recording fully represents the Vasari Singers' renowned seasonal programmes, mixing familiar festive fun with newly inspired creations such as the world premiere recording of Helena Paish's beautiful setting of words by the youngest of the Bronte sisters. From the evocative narrative of Finzi's In Terra Pax to the joyous potpourri of A Merry Little Christmas, this, like the Vasari Singers' previous Christmas release, A Winter's Light (Naxos 8.573030), is a recording to treasure.