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Our Review

Those fortunate enough to have attended the Madison Symphony Orchestra's (MSO) annual Christmas Spectacular concerts will relive those joyous moments through this exceptional CD, A Madison Christmas, which compiles highlights from recent live performances. For those of us who are less fortunate, this offering will transport us into a front row seat, where we will take in the glory of the magnificent symphony, the skilled soloists, the choral groups, and the handbells.

Maestro John DeMain is the captain of this particular ship, and he readily commands all he surveys. His MSO is a smoothly professional operation, and all of the soloists are absolutely first-rate. Although the album's 16 tracks are largely classical, it also includes some popular music, including the opening "Winter Wonderland" (with bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen's impressive solo) and "Jingle Bells" (sung sweetly by the Madison Youth Choirs). The Madison Area Concert Handbells (under the direction of Susan Udell) are particularly fine; the Handbells' treatment of "The Nutcracker" is outstanding. Those who favor top-quality choral versions of holiday carols will relish the Madison Symphony Chorus' four excerpts from Seven Joys of Christmas under Beverly Taylor's capable direction. Although this is a live recording, the production values are solid, and audience noise is at a minimum. My only gripe is that Robert Swensen's exquisite tenor on Ave Maria sounds somewhat distant.

The classical music lover will find much to love here. Those fortunate individuals who have enjoyed the MSO's live holiday performances will definitely consider this CD a "must have"; for the rest of us, this album may have all flights to Madison booked for the Christmas Spectacular this season (the 2004 performances fall on December 3-5!).

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Madison Symphony Orchestra with
Celena Shafer, Soprano
Raul Hernandez, Tenor
Robert Swensen, Tenor
Kyle Ketelsen, Bass-Baritone
Marc Fink, Oboe
Madison Symphony Chorus
Madison Youth Choirs
Madison Area Concert Handbells

John DeMain, Conductor

The Madison Symphony Orchestra's annual Christmas Spectacular concerts have become a beloved family tradition. As we look forward to the first Christmas Spectacular in our new home, Overture Hall, this CD revisits some of the more unforgettable holiday moments from the Oscar Mayer Theatre. The theatre was always filled to capacity in the first weekend of December for concerts that brought together an equal blend of classical repertoire and popular favorites. In the last few years, the Madison Children's Chorus and Madison Boychoir (now combined as Madison Youth Choirs under the artistic direction of Mike Ross) and the Madison Area Concert Handbells have also been part of the mix, as are soloists from the orchestra and memorable guest singers. [T]his is a compilation of highlights from live performances from the last several years, hand-picked by Maestro John DeMain. As these are live recordings, there are occasional non-musical contributions from the audience. Yet there is also that indefinable excitement that comes from performances for sold-out houses of enthusiastic listeners.

From the Website:

Take home a cast of hundreds home for the holidays! On Nov 5th, the MSO released a CD of highlights from past Christmas Spectacular celebrations under the baton of Maestro John DeMain. Selections range from the traditional to the contemporary, from the sacred to the utterly playful.

Maestro DeMain is excited about bringing the family entertainment of the annual MSO's popular Christmas Spectacular to more people than ever. "These holiday gems on CD will be there to remind you of the great time y

Madison Symphony Orchestra

A Madison Christmas

Artist link

Track List