The Beijing Angelic Choir, composed of the best voices from several local choirs in Beijing, is distinguished by their sweet, superbly trained voices and musical training. Included are 12 songs: "You-you-zha," "Clear Moon, Quiet Winds," "Hammock Hanging Between Betel Trees," "Puyama Lullaby," "Tu-jia Lullaby," "A-ni-qie-er," "Kitty, Stop Meowing," "Li Lullaby," "Lullaby of the Fisherman's Family," "Tibetan Lullaby," "My Brother, Pu-ru-lai" and "A-lai, Ba-lang-mu." These songs are lightly accompanied, with emphasis, of course, on the singing of the children. The sound is dreamlike, sweet and soaring, almost other-worldly. We'd love to learn more about the beautiful, haunting lullabies, but most of the liner notes are in Chinese and we can only use our imagination. "Lullabies" was a finalist for the 1996 NAIRD award for the Best Children's Music, and is stunningly lovely CD!

Songlist: You-you-zha (Man), Clear Moon, Quiet Winds (Northeastern China), Hammock Hanging Beween Betel Trees (Guangdong), Puyuma Lullaby (Taiwan), Tu-jia Lullaby (Hunan), A-ni-qie-er (Hani tribe, Yunnan), Kitty, Stop Meowing (Anhul), Li Lullaby (Hainan), Lullaby of the Fisherman's Family (Guangxi), Tibetan Lullaby (Western Tibet), My Brother, Pu-ru-lai (Inner Mongolian), A-lai, Ba-lang-mu (Ulger)

The Beijing Angelic Choir sings lullabies from Austria, Germany, Italy, England, America and more. The sweet voiced children's choir sings the many familiar tunes in Chinese. The children are accompanied by lightly synthesized backgrounds. It is very interesting to hear how western songs are interpreted by the Chinese. All of the translations are in Chinese.

Songlist: Lullaby (Mozart) (Austria), Lullaby (Brahms) (Germany), Lullaby (Italy), Children Are Asleep (Russia), Autumn Night (England), Sleep, Darling Baby (Mexico), Lullaby (Schubert) (Austria), Lullaby (America), Im Herbst, Lullaby (Japan), Yi-li Yi-li (Phillipines), Lullaby (France), Lullaby (India)

Cantabile is an ensemble of four male voices who came together as a group while studying at Cambridge University in the 1980s and have gone on to become one of England's premiere choral ensembles. The programme on this release is a very eclectic mix with nearly all the music excellently arranged by the group themselves. The singing itself is all first class. The four voices blend beautifully and there isn't a sour note to be heard. Diction is consistently crystal clear although texts and English translations, where appropriate, are provided. As you'd expect, the contribution of Malcolm Martineau is first rate. There's a great deal to enjoy here and I can imagine this being particularly restful and enjoyable late evening listening, perhaps with the fire burning gently and a glass of something warming at your elbow. Try this for something a bit different!

Songlist: Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), Evening Prayer, Barcarolle, Hushabye, Wiegenlied, Bilbo's Last Song, lullaby, Haere Ra, Hawaiian Lullaby, Moonshine Lullaby, Cancion De Cuna Para Dormir A Un Negrito, My Lagan Love, Schlaendes Jesuskind, Lullaby Of Birdland, Oblivion, Discendi, O Sonno Vago, Lullaby, Nacht Und Traume, Bilbo's Last Song, Stay Awake, Goin' Home, Our Revel Now Are Ended, Counting Up My Toes

This renamed and repackaged version of Chor Leoni's first Christmas recording (Magnificat) presents three substantial and endearing seasonal works. The sunny Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest by Conrad Susa derives from the folk music of Hispanic America, and sets the Holy birth in the context of a Southwestern pinata party. Italian composer Ottorino Respighi was an early twentieth-century composer who looked to the past for inspiration and musical materials, e.g., in his well-known Ancient Airs and Dances. This tendency can also be heard in the Laud to the Nativity of Our Lord, Respighi's self-described "personal Christmas card to the world." The disc also includes the premiere recording of a Chor Leoni commission, Magnificat by Vancouver composer Rupert Lang. Using the unusual combination of mezzo-soprano soloist and male chorus, Lang seeks to express Mary's personal, human response to the formal biblical text, with wonderful results. Special guests for this recording include mezzo-soprano Mariateresa Magisano (winner of the 1998 Metropolitan Opera Auditions), soprano Lambroula Maria Pappas (winner of the 1999 Metropolitan Opera Auditions), and Elektra Women's Choir (four-time consecutive First Place winners in the CBC Competition).

Songlist: Oh, mi Belen!, El Desembre Congelat, Alegria, A la Nanita Nana, Las Posadas, Campana Sobre Campana, En Belen Tocan a Fuego, El Noi de la Mare, Chiquirriquitin, El Rorro, Lauda per la Nativita del Signore, Magnificat, Recitative, Mary's Song, Magnificat, Quia Fecit, Fecit Potentiam, Suscepit Israel, Gloria

Decorah, Iowa's renowned Luther College music ensembles, the Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, Nordic Choir, Concert Band, Pike Kor, Cathedral Choir, Collegiate Chorale, Norsemen and Cantorei present a stellar collection of 15 songs, beginning with rich a cappella renderings of Kurt Bestor's "Prayer of the Children," and Morten Lauridson's lovely "O Magnum Mysterium." Other favorites include Roger Folstrom's "A La Nanita Nana," Eric Whitacre's "Sleep," Frank Ticheli's a cappella "There Will Be Rest," Eleanor Daly's "What Sweeter Music," Pete Seeger's "The Bells of Rhymney" and "The Gartan Mother's Lullaby." A powerful, touching, well-chosen collection from Luther College's, and some of the world's, finest ensembles!

Songlist: Prayer Of The Children, O Magnum Mysterium, All Is Well, The Fairy Garden From Mother Goose, A La Nanita Nana, Rocking Carol, Sleep, Nocurne From A Mid Summer's Nights Dream, There Will Be Rest, Away In A Manger, A Childhood Hymn, What Sweeter Music, Pastorale From Christmas Orotorio, The Bells Of Rhymney, The Garten Mother's Lullaby

The 61-strong Peninsula Women's Chorus was established in 1966, and has been under the direction of Dr. Patricia Hennings since 1975, and the Christmas CD "Carols" is their fourth CD. The first 10 songs are a marvelous group called "Carols and Lullabies, Christmas in the Southwest" by Conrad Susa. A friend of Susa's showed him a collection of traditional Spanish carols he had sung as a boy in Arizona, and Susa put them together to form a narrative. combining homey, artful simplicity with Renaissance music, Songs like "Alegria" and the Andalusian song "Chiquirriquitin," with their lilting, dancing marimbas, and the lovely "A La Nanita Nana," are the gems of the CD. The second half of the CD takes us more in the direction of the sacred (Karai's "Hodie Christus natus est" and Missa Brevis' "Kyrie," "Sanctus" and "Agnus Dei"). Throw in "The Carol of the Rose," "Alleluia" and others, and you have a surprising, delightful Christmas CD!

Songlist: Oh, mi Belen!, El Desembre Congelat, Alegria, A la Nanita Nan, Las Posadas, Campana sobre Campana, En Belen Tocan a Fuefgo, El Noi de la Mare, Chiquirriquitin, El Rorro, Hodie Christus natus est, Missa Brevis, -Kyrie, -Sanctus, -Agnus Dei, Two selections from The Place of the Blest, -The Carol of the Rose, -Alleliuia, O Regem coeli, Christmas Intrada

This CD is a fabulous mix of a cappella and accompanied lullabies. With songs from Bobby McFerrin, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Take 6, this is sure to be a bedtime favorite.

Songlist: Swedish Lullaby, Courtyard Lullaby, A La Nanita Nana, Be Still My Child, Sakura/ Owayare, All The Pretty Horses, Lullaby, Down By The Salley Gardens, Sleep, Little One, Sleep, Sweet Lullaby, Spirit Lullaby, Common Thread