Product Description
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Each year, the Christmas concert presented by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square is seen by more than 85,000 people live and by millions more via television broadcast. It is a full-scale production featuring world-class musicians, soloists, dancers, narrators, and music that leaves viewers in awe of the Choir’s unmatched magnitude and musicality.
Following the success of last year’s CD Rejoice and Be Merry, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir presents Ring Christmas Bells, the next musical masterpiece in a series of highly acclaimed and commercially successful holiday albums. Ring Christmas Bells features Tony award-winning solosit Brian Stokes Mitchell, “Broadway's last leading man,” so dubbed the The New York Times, and narrator Edward K. Herrmann (Gilmore Girls, Eleanor and Franklin). conducted by Mack Wilber, this live concert is a holiday extravaganza every family will want to experience again and again.
CD Track List:
- Processional on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
- Once in Royal David's City
- The Christmas Song/A Crazy Christmas List
- The Friendly Beasts
- Through Heaven's Eyes (from "The Prince of Egypt")
- I Saw Three Ships
- Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?
- Sleigh Ride
- New Words
- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
- Grateful
- Go, Tell It on the Mountain
- And the Glory of the Lord (from "Messiah")
- Hallelujah (from "Messiah")
- Suo Gan
- Angels, from the Realms of Glory
Reviews
I was not familiar with Brian Stokes Mitchell prior to this show, although I had seen him on the "Frasier" tv show. My wife and I saw this performance in person and were amazed. His rendition of "The Friendly Beasts" was quite moving. I agree with one of the earlier reviewers who said they wished there had been a little more sacred music and less secular, however. Mitchell and Hermann were wonderful, but I must say the choir has had better days, although they are still tremendous.
By Michael, Submitted on 2015-02-25
Sent this recently to my son serving a mission in Argentina. In his email he said he loves this CD. It's a good one!
By Steven, Submitted on 2015-02-25
I enjoyed especially Brian Stokes Mitchell's Friendly Animals. It was great for the children to hear and see. Thank you. Very sensitive with the reading by Hermann.
By Eric, Submitted on 2015-02-25
For the most part I loved this DVD. Several parts of it did get me teary eyed. Edward Hermann's telling of Henry Longfellow was one such moment, as was the choir singing "Once in Royal David's City." This is definitely a DVD worth owning, but I think I would like it even better if it had less of the secular and more of the sacred. The only thing that I really disliked was the imitating of the animal sounds in "The Friendly Beasts." This song has the potential of being beautiful and sublime. Imitating the animal sounds really kind of wrecked it for me. Overall though this is a great production and one worth
My thoughts after listening
Within the last five years I have become a huge fan of the choir, and I am continually impressed by their work. I love them so much that I was willing to by and listen to a Christmas CD in mid-September. I just couldn't wait. Ring Christmas Bells is a great listen. I have to admit first off that I was not as impressed this year as I was last. Brina Stokes Mitchell and the choir perform wonderfully, and the individual tracks are fantastic, but as a whole, the CD lacks flow. I would like to repeat though, the tracks are fantastic. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" took some getting used to, but I have warmed up to the new arrangement. Through Heaven's Eyes" has always been a powerful song, but the choir was able to take it to a whole new level. Richard Elliot (who has become my favorite organist) did not disappoint with "Go Tell it on the Mountain". "Angels from the Realms of Glory" has been performed better in previous CD's. Mitchell is a little overpowering at the beginning. "Grateful", although not particularly Christmasy, is beautifully performed. The song that most eloquently bears the spirit of Christmas is "Once in Royal David's City". It is sung simply yet powerfully. I could go on about each track, but I just have to say they each are inspiring, and I recommend strongly this CD to get you in the Christmas mood.
By Gary, Submitted on 2015-02-25
Remember when you were a kid, and you really, really wanted a certain gift for Christmas, and how when you got up Christmas morning that you actually gotten it? Well, that's how it felt for me being at this concert last Christmas! Absolutely incredible program and the performances and musicality were beyond reproach. Just amazing. This DVD will definitely not disappoint.
By Dave, Submitted on 2015-02-25
My son and I came from Panama City, FL and were fortunate to have been able to see this performance live. It was a beautiful show, and my son and I were touched deeply. The Choir, Mack Wilberg, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Edward K. Hermann, all brilliant! When I came home, I shared the experience with everyone, and now they can finally see for themselves what I was trying to convey!