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I always thought A Charlie Brown Christmas did a better job than most at capturing the angst, the longing, the nostalgia, and the bittersweetness of Christmas. I am reminded of that program when I hear the Ars Nova Singers' rendition of Christmastime Is Here, which also seems to capture some of this wistfulness and angst.

I plan for this--the Ars Nova Singers' Yuletide--to be the last Christmas music I hear this season. It has been a season of hard work and loss, and I am anxious to put it behind me. The traditional choral sound of Ars Nova, with their peaceful harmonies and pleasing arrangements, will help me to do just that.

Yuletide is as accessible as formal choral singing can be, and it is a pleasure to list it and recommend it to all listeners.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2009)

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From the liner notes:

The Ars Nova Singers are Evanne Browne, Tana Cochran, Kim Coupounas, Juliane Dowell, Meghan Goodner, Katie Hallor, Jessica Harbeson, Emilyn Inglis, Kim Lancaster, Stephanie Moore, Shannon Pennell, Julie Poelchau, Karen Ramirez, Gunilla Svensson, Lorienne Schwenk, Jan Botwinick, Leah Creek, Kathryn Donaldson, Amy French, Amanda Lucarini, Kathe Lujan, Tara Mianulli U'Ren, Anna Robinson, Myra Redford, Robert Sussuma, Rhonda Wallen, John Davies, Bruce Doenecke, Steve Kientz, David Nesbitt, Jack Rook, Bruce Smith, Louis Warshawsky, Rick Wheeler, Brian du Fresne, Brant Foote, Steven Mitchell Michael Mock, Paul Munsch, Mark Persiko, Geoff Quelch, Jordan Simkins, Don Wilson, Steve Winograd.

James Brady, oboe (Track 1)
Evanne Browne, soprano (Tracks, 2, 5)
Tara Mianulli U'Ren, mezzo (Tracks 4, 6)
Tana, Jan, Jack, Brian, quartet (Track 7)
Tana Cochran, soprano (Tracks 4, 9, 10)
Stephanie Moore, soprano (Track 14)
Shannon Pennell, soprano (Track 15)

Ars Nova Singers

Yuletide

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