Recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios in 1989, this partially-orchestrated recording (The City Of London Sinfonia on about half the tracks, their brass quintet on another handful), is Britain's King's Singers at their delightful best. This classically-educated male sextet is known for their lively performances - never pedantic, always entertaining. They navigate through the most challenging and thrilling of passages, as wave upon wave of countermelody ascend and crescendo from every quadrant, with apparent ease and confidence. The a cappella arrangements, such as "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Stille Nacht" (sung in German), are uncomplicated and soothing, sung with perfect majesty. "A Little Christmas Music (Medley a la Mozart)" with guest soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, is the CD's heroic odyssey, going completely over the top with reckless abandon! |