Tabernacle Choir albums have been a Christmastime staple in my listening repertoire for decades. However, I was serving a mission in Chile with my husband when “The Wonder of Christmas” was released, so it’s new to me even though it’s been out a year.
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The hour-long CD is a varied compilation of music from guest artists over the past several years as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square have presented their annual concerts in the Conference Center. (Those concerts have all been individually captured on DVD as well as broadcast to millions on PBS.)
Included on the CD are selections featuring as soloists Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, actress Angela Lansbury, Broadway singer and actress Audra McDonald, and opera diva Renee Fleming. Some listeners may find the applause before or after some numbers a little disconcerting, while others may enjoy the “live concert” feel of it.
As usual, the orchestra and choir are in top form in this collection with much secular holiday music, including a smooth rendition of “White Christmas” and exuberant arrangements of “Winter Wonderland,” “Sleigh Ride” and “We Need a Little Christmas” (in which it’s almost impossible not to picture Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts from her role in Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast).
A few traditional sacred carols are there too: The choir shines in the harmonies of the gentle “Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?” and the Ukrainian “Carol of the Bells,” with “Joy to the World” and Handel’s “Hallelujah” bookending the album. “What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger” is lovely. The “Christmas Processional,” while less familiar, is jubilant, with handbells and full organ playing along with the orchestra.
Frederica von Stade lends dignity to “The First Nowell,” and Renee Fleming hits the high notes with flair in “Angels from the Realms of Glory.” Audra McDonald adds cultural flavor with the gospel-styled “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” and “Children, Go Where I Send Thee.” Bryn Terfel’s a capella “O Come All Ye Faithjful” evolves into full chorus and orchestra. Organist Richard Elliott does a splendid rendition of “Bring a Torch” on the unlikely instrument for this French carol.
The Tabernacle Choir should be proud to add “The Wonder of Christmas” to the growing list of albums on its own label, and listeners should be happy to add it to their holiday repertoire.
