The Philadelphia Orchestra The Complete Columbia Christmas Albums

Eugene Ormandy s 44-year tenure as music director of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra remains the single longest affiliation of conductor and orchestra. Under the direction of Maestro Ormandy, the orchestra earned two Grammy Awards and three Gold records. Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records are thrilled to bring to CD both of Ormandy s original Columbia Records Christmas albums in one deluxe package. The Complete Columbia Christmas Albums presents The Glorious Sound of Christmas (1962) and A Christmas Festival (1964) on one CD. On The Glorious Sound of Christmas, Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra welcomed The Temple University Concert Choir under the direction of Robert Page for a stirring set of traditional carols including Joy to the World, The First Noel, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and Silent Night. Two years later, Ormandy was back in the studio with the Orchestra and Choir, adding The St. Francis de Sales Boychoir led by Peter La Manna. A Christmas Festival (CD debut!) picked up where its predecessor left off, with the same lush grandeur in celebration of the season. It featured The Little Drummer Boy and Jingle Bells alongside stirring renditions of classics such as Here We Go A-Caroling and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Both albums were produced by Thomas Frost with arrangements by Arthur Harris. This new edition has been newly remastered by Mike Piacentini at Sony s Battery Studios and features new liner notes by Joe Marchese of The Second Disc. The Complete Columbia Albums captures some of the most magnificent Christmas music ever released in new sonic splendor.