"A Bella Christmas: Angels are Singing" is an aptly-named, live, gorgeous Christmas collection from the pride of Rochester, Minnesota. Most of the songs are accompanied by piano, a brass ensemble, organ, oboe and congas. But the highlight of the album is the high, soaring voices of the 51 singers, in perfect solos and together in glorious harmony. Some of our favorites among the 15 cuts are Z. Randall Stroope's "Magnificat" and "There Is No Rose;" Chris Dedrick's "The Angel Choir and The Trumpeter," Mozart's "Alleluia," John Rutter's lovely "Candlelight Carol" and a cappella "Deck The Hall;" Tchaikovsky's "Dans des Mirlitons" (Dance of the Reed Flutes," Pietro A. Yon's sublime "Gesu Bambino," the traditional song "Cantemos a Maria" (Let Us Sing to Mary); Egil Hovland's "Stay With Us" and the traditional carol "Silent Night." Every cut here is perfect, and guaranteed to bring joyous music to your Christmas celebrations for years to come! |