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Seriously, the stunning Pamela Howland is a Christmas music machine, and I mean that in a very positive way. In past reviewing seasons, I have written about three of her seasonal releases--all excellent (Lo, How a Rose, Carols for a Blue Christmas, & December Classics). Howland's holiday legacy of lovely piano instrumentals continues with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, a loving tribute to the artist's mother, who gave birth to talented Pamela on Christmas Eve.

Howland is an outstanding pianist, both in terms of technical craftsmanship and emotional content. She plays with warmth and a light, expressive touch. All ten tracks are familiar Christmas chestnuts; Howland's timeless arrangements are relatively straightforward and comfortably traditional. The recording reflects some reverb, creating fuller depth, and the acoustics are first-rate.

Although Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is somewhat short (only 26 minutes), the time is very well spent, and the album is priced appropriately ($10). The music is nostalgic, beautifully crafted, and exquisite in its simplicity. The release overflows with fine touches. For example, Howland's cascading runs near the end of Infant Holy (Polish Carol) add complexity and drama, and her Fum, Fum, Fum/Pat a Pan medley fires brilliantly on all cylinders. My favorite track is probably I'll Be Home for Christmas; how does Howland pack so much sentiment into an instrumental?

Bravo, Pamela Howland, you have done it again! Here's wishing you--and all of you--a merry Christmas surrounded by those you love.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

All arrangements by Pamela Howland

Executive Producer: Pamela Howland
Recording Producer, Engineer, Editor: Evan Richey, Ovation Sound
Recorded: July 8, 2008 at Ovation Sound studios, Winston-Salem, NC

Dedicated in loving memory to my mom, Doris Drewitz Howland (1927-2006). She adored Christmas, especially loved to play the 1940s songs, and gave birth to me on Christmas Eve.


From the Website:

Pamela Howland is a gifted pianist who breathes life and vitality into classical music for audiences of any age or background. Vivacious, imaginative, sensitive and just a trifle unconventional, Ms. Howland is that rare classically trained performing artist who thrives as an entertainer. Using the lecture-recital format she honed while a professor at Wake Forest University, she fashions her performances to fit the listening level of her audience. She seeks programs that depart from a traditional classical format so that her audiences leave both educated and entertained, having learned something about themselves as well as the music.

Trained at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and the Eastman School of Music, where she received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance and Literature, she performs extensively as a soloist and chamber musician. Highlights include numerous recitals in the United States, featured recitals in Paris and Vienna, a tour of Colombia, South America, live solo appearances broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio and National Public Radio in New York and North Carolina, guest appearances at the Chautauqua (NY) Institution's Summer Music Festival, and appearances with the Winston-Salem Symphony, Charlotte Repertory Orchestra, and Wake Forest University Orchestra.

Pamela Howland

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Artist link

Track List