Artistic Excellence

The Nativity, the enchanting and enduring story that tells of the birth of Jesus Christ, is perhaps the best-known tale in the history of the world. Here is an album that tells that story in song, with a track list specially designed to reenact the blessed event — from the wandering of Joseph and Mary into Bethlehem, the visitation of the angel and the message of the newborn King to the blessed birth of baby Jesus and finally the visitation of the three kings from the East, using a star as their guide. It is story that is timeless and a story that has inspired devotion, goodwill and peace on Earth.

The album opens up with the choral group Musica Sacra singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and then "I Wonder as I Wander." Other songs follow including "Do You Hear What I Hear," sung by boy treble Anthony Way, and "O Holy Night" with Luciano Pavarotti. The track list continues with "Gesù Bambino," "What Child is This?" and "Child in a Manger," a song arranged by John Rutter and based on the familiar tune "Morning Has Broken."

The Trapp Family Singers, of The Sound of Music fame, completes the scene the French carol "Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant." The Magi enter with "I Saw Three Ships," "We Three Kings of Orient Are" and a rousing version of "Little Drummer Boy," sung by Kiri Te Kanawa, marking their arrival. Another Rutter work, the contemporary "Shepherds Pipe Carol," Bryn Terfel singing "Mary's Boy Child" and "The First Nöel" announce the event. Finally the celebratory "For Unto Us a Child is Born" and "Joy To The World," with Joan Sutherland, bring the album to a close.

This is a wonderful and unique Christmas concept album like...more details