The Three Tenors Christmas
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Resplendent in voice and manner, José Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti deliver 21 songs of traditional sacred music and secular numbers in a remarkable 1999 live recording from the opulent Viennese concert hall (Konzerthaus), with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and a renowned choir. The Three Tenors are practically as famous as the faces of Mount Rushmore and inspire perhaps even more awe and adulation around the world than the four presidents. The performances–whether alone, in tandem, or simply as the threesome that has made them collectively famous–are generally impeccable for their passion, nuance, and sheer tour de force vocal artistry. Reaching often into the classical realm for such works as the traditional German carol “Susani,” Strauss’s and Brahms’s “Wiegenlied,” plus traditional Polish and Spanish pieces, the trio also visits Pavarotti’s “Ave Maria, dolce Maria” (cowritten with Vittoriano Benvenuti), and “Un nuevo siglo,” written by Domingo’s son. Only John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Happy Christmas/War Is Over” doesn’t quite work in this grand setting. –Martin Keller
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2 Responses
An avid fan of the the 3 Tenors format and the tenors themselves, I was a little disappointed in this long overdue production of Christmas Music. While many of the more cherished traditional numbers (Ave Maria, Silent Night, etc.) brought a warmth and gratitude for the these men and their talent, some of the other offerings were less than expected. The Jingle Bells arrangement can only be categorized as “a waste of great talent.” If you are a fan and have seen the video, then you must get the CD. The CD’s producers obviously “assisted” the recordings compared to the video’s poor presentation. Mr. Pavarotti shows some weakness in what is normally his forte — power. Mr. Carreras seems to attempt a “coloring” of his vocal talent when normally his diction and technique are beyond any dispute. Only Mr. Domingo shows his emotional warmth and strength as well as his command of the English idiom. For Christmas music “philes”, this CD is still a must have. And for those 3 Tenor fans, this could well be the last to have.
First, let me state I don’t listen to opera singers that much; thus, don’t expect a hypercritical review here. (Really, is there ANY field of music that has more hypercritics than opera?) I got this CD simply because Columbia House had it on sale for $2.99, and I wanted some new Christmas CDs.
I found the CD delightful beyond words. It has some beautiful versions of well-known Christmas songs, as well as songs I’ve never heard before. “Carol of the Drum” and “War Is Over” are my two favorites, with “Sleigh Ride” a close third.
Sure, there is some tripping over of words by these three great opera stars…but that makes it even more enhancing in my opinion. Pavarotti was particularly amusing when he was singing: “And all our friends are calling ‘HOO-HOO’!” (Watch the DVD for Carreras’ reaction to that one!) And let’s not forget Pavarotti singing: “I’ll be home for Christmas. You can PLAY on me.”
The children’s chorus is great, the Vienna Symphony is great…and, once again, buy or rent the DVD so you can get the full affect of this astounding Christmas concert…the music, the lights, the colors, and the marvelous Steven Mercurio conducting it all.