| Sarah Brightman | Primary Artist, Keyboards, Choir, Chorus |
| London Symphony Orchestra | Performing Ensemble |
| Curt Cress | Drums |
| Royal Philharmonic Orchestra | Performing Ensemble |
| Ralph Salmins | Drums |
| Steve Sidwell | Conductor |
| Peter Weihe | Guitar |
| Trevor Barry | Bass |
| Frank Peterson | Choir, Chorus |
| Gunther Laudahn | Background Vocals, Choir, Chorus, Pianoharp |
| Paul Bateman | Conductor |
| Roland Peil | Percussion |
| Billy King | Choir, Chorus |
| Crouch End Festival Chorus | Choir, Chorus |
| Carsten Heusmann | Organ, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Choir, Chorus |
| Pete Murray | Piano, Conductor |
| Jan Eric Kohrs | Piano, Choir, Chorus |
| Carolin Fortenbacher | Choir, Chorus |
| Amelia Brightman | Choir, Chorus |
| Alex Grube | Bass |
| Anna Coralee | Choir, Chorus |
| Charles Gounod | Composer |
| Sergey Prokofiev | Composer |
| Neil Diamond | Composer |
| John Lennon | Composer |
| Sarah Brightman | Programming, Producer |
| Greg Lake | Composer |
| Yoko Ono | Composer |
| Roy Wood | Composer |
| Vince Gill | Composer |
| Steve Sidwell | Orchestration |
| Volker Heintzen | Engineer |
| Frank Peterson | Arranger, Director, Producer, Engineer |
| Simon Rhodes | Engineer |
| Niall Acott | Engineer |
| Jorge Avendaño | Engineer |
| Loris Ceroni | Composer |
| Paul Bateman | Orchestration |
| Jorge Avendaño Lührs | Composer |
| Alberto Salerno | Composer |
| Tom Meyer | Mastering |
| Traditional | Composer |
| Maurizio Seymandi | Composer |
| Carsten Heusmann | Arranger, Programming, Producer, Engineer |
| Pete Murray | Orchestration |
| Mario Frangoulis | Duet |
| Dennis Preiss | Engineer |
| Florian Sitzmann | Composer |
| Cae Gauntt | Composer |
| Dario Baldan Bembo | Composer |
| Fernando Lima | Duet |
| Kathrin Kiesewetter | Sample Clearance |
I've read a lot of mixed reviews on this CD, from Brightman fans and non-fans alike. But in my personal opinion, it's a superb album, and I'm thrilled she finally produced a holiday CD.<BR/><BR/>I'm giving it 4 of 5 stars because I do believe it could have been better, but that by no means implies that I hate the CD in anyway. I've just followed Sarah for the past 10 years since I was a little girl. This woman was my introduction to opera and classical cross over music! That being said, I know what the "best" and "most" could sound like from her; this isn't it.<BR/><BR/>I really wish two things would have been done with this CD: Sarah singing, "The First of May" (as she did on the Symphony tour, for pre-Christmas dates), and she also included a version of her singing "Carol of the Bells."<BR/><BR/>A few notes:<BR/><BR/>"Arrival" -- based off of the ABBA track by the same name, it opens the CD in a very unqiue and interesting fashion. I never thought the day would come when I would hear my favourite soprano covering the quartet from Sweden. The thing is, she doesn't do it in a corney fashion either. It's tasteful and I think she does ABBA justice. Her voice also lends the track an unearthly fantistical ring to the track, making you "see" the song as you "hear" it.<BR/><BR/>"Colder than Winter" -- if you ever had your heart broken by anyone for any reason, you will releate to this song. Enough said. <BR/><BR/>"Ave Maria" w/ Fernando Lima -- I seriously think this woman loves this song, because this is the THIRD (or more, who knows/remembers) arrangement she's has recorded of it. I have all of Sarah's releases and, while I welcome this addition to the CD, I seriously wish she would just CHILL on the hail Marys. I don't think Fernando Lima has a great voice, it's acceptable, but he's no Andrea Bocelli or Josh Groban, and he's completely not a Nick Garrett or Russell Watson by any stretch of the imagination. So what saves this track? The arrangement. It's beautiful and DIFFERENT. The last minute of the song, especially. Peterson is ths this verion's saving grace! Take the "Ave Maria" you think you know, to a new place. It's either really fantastic, or really brave. You be the judge.<BR/><BR/>"I Believe in Father Christmas" -- she also sings this on the "Symphony" tour before the holidays, if you are lucky enough to see her in person. It's fabulous! Oh I love love love this song. It's a unqiue addition to any Christmas CD that doesn't get played enough, and for Sarah, that's a blessing for her album!<BR/><BR/>"Happy Christmas (The War is Over)" -- Sarah Brightman, whhhhhhhyyyyy??? Okay, I am biased. I think no one SHOULD sing this besides for John Lennon and if you do sing it, like "Imagine," you better do it some justice (Eva Cassidy). So again, all I have to say, is Sarah Brightman, whhhhhhhyyyy did you do this? Wwwwhhhhhhyyyy did you taint your near perfect singing record?
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This was my first Christmas CD this season, and it is probably the only one I will need. Sarah's voice is amazing, as usual, and each track is clear and beautiful. The extra DVD is a nice bonus with video of songs from the Symphony release. The only bad part is that the CD ends. I would have loved to have had more songs from Sarah.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.S.BrightmanFan
Posted October 1, 2010
Sarah does it again with that amazing voice. Just buy it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is my first Christmas album I've ever brought in almost four ago. I listened to the whole when I first brought in December '08 and it was amazing, the album has beautiful songs and wonderful singing voice. I love to listen to this album every December, once a year.
I would recommend this Christmas album for everyone who love Christmas season!
Raymar
Posted October 1, 2010
This is one of Sarah's best ever CDs
I have nearly worn it out listening to it so many times!!
And I enjoy it everytime.
MS84115
Posted October 1, 2010
I have more holiday music, than any other genre, in my music library: wish I could return this one. Bleah.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.subaru08
Posted October 1, 2010
I Also Recommend:
She's done it again! Another fantastic album made by Sarah Brightman. Sarah Brightman is my favorite artist. I was so excited to hear that she had finally made a Christmas album. I bought the B&N exclusive version of A Winter Symphony and found it was well worth it. The album has songs I've never heard but I immediately loved every track after listening to the album. The extra tracks are fabulous! The second disk is a DVD that includes four tracks from her Symphony album, a photo gallery, and a couple more features. This is a good one to have in a holiday music collection. Truly Amazing!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Sarah's Christmas album is her best album yet. "Symphony", of course, is as good. The songs on both albums ring true with a bit of saddness or perhaps for Sarah, the songs ring true with reality. She is the greatest artist of our time. Her personality draws you in and won't let you go. We all have ups and downs in our lives and it seems sometimes that the downs promote a growing experience that cannot be accomplished any other way. To you Sarah, we will always love you no matter what time, what year, what circumstance. You are to us the epitome of all those things that we hold so close and dear. Be happy now Sarah, your world will recover from the darkness and will again provide all of us with your brillance. Love to you Sarah, from all of us for the Holiday season and for always.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.laurenmullins630
Posted October 1, 2010
I Also Recommend:
She never gets it wrong. This CD is amazing as usual for Sarah Brightman. I would have LOVED to hear her sing "O Holy Night", though.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Nanalinda
Posted October 1, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Sarah never fails to touch my heart.<BR/>Her concerts are fabulous.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
I am very happy with the whole CD and the extra DVD is fabolus..
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Posted October 19, 2008
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Posted December 17, 2008
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Posted November 2, 2008
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Posted October 17, 2008
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Posted October 25, 2008
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Posted January 31, 2010
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Posted December 11, 2008
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Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - Thom Jurek
Ten months after the release of her blockbuster Symphony album, vocalist Sarah Brightman and producer/musical guru collaborator Frank Peterson release the inevitable, Winter Symphony. If only it were really an extension of the overblown, wildly overproduced former album it would work on sheer camp level alone. But alas, while it's excessive, it's not so overdone that it's dramatic or exciting, despite the presence of symphony orchestras, gaggles of session players, three choirs, etc. There are a number of traditional selections from the season of Christmas: "Silent Night," "In the Bleak Midwinter," and "Child in a Manger," among them, as well as two versions of "Ave Maria" ...