Robin’s newest CD for Christmas is sure to delight lovers of traditional songs for the season. A unique and simply transporting rendition of “Carol of the Bells” opens the CD followed by Christmas favorites “Silent Night”, “O Holy Night”, “The First Noel”….all beautifully arranged and lovingly performed on solo piano.
Her first Christmas CD in seven years and her first EVER solo piano Christmas CD, “The Christmas Collection” is sure to become a holiday favorite for conjuring up images of cherished Christmas’ past, and for creating a delicate and delightful atmosphere for Christmas seasons to come.
All pieces arranged & performed by Robin Spielberg Produced by Robin Spielberg & Larry Kosson for playMountain Music, Robin’s new label!
The Songs LISTEN
1 Carol of The Bells (traditional) 3:29
2 O Little Town of Bethlehem (by Philips Brooks and Lewis Redner) 3:14
3 Silent Night (by Franz Gruber) 3:31
4 Angels We Have Heard On High (traditional French) 2:50
5 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (by Richard S. Willis) 3:28
6 The First Noel (traditional English) 3:06
7 Jingle Bells (traditional) VIDEO of Robin playing the song
8 The Coventry Carol (traditional) 2:38
9 Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming 4:14
10 O Holy Night (by Adolphe Adam) 4:22
11 Merry Christmas (by Janice Torre & Fred Spielman) 3:23
12 In the Bleak Midwinter (traditional) 4:30
13 Wind Through The Olive Trees (traditional) 2:56
Reviews
A gift of aural serenity….Every gentle tone sparkles with care and peace.
-Sandy Marshall for Napra Review
Like a warm holiday gathering, Robin Spielberg’s The Christmas Collection invites the listener to indulge at a table set with a feast of rich holiday morsels. Ms. Spielberg presents her delectables with an unhurried savoring of each one, giving the listener time to enjoy each course in her holiday bouquet. Maybe that sounds a little gushy, but I was struck by the warmheated style in evidence on this new CD. And if you thought that metaphor was over the top, read on.
Ms. Spielberg’s hands imbue her music with a sentimental accessibility and informality that belie its formal underpinnings. Setting an earnest tone with a delicate rendering of Carol of the Bells, she continues with a series of gentle heartfelt arrangements composed in a way to give currency to timesless values.
Of particular interest was her arrangment of Merry Christmas, originally performed by Judy Garland in the 1949…Her inclusion of Merry Christmas represents the unearthing of a rare find that often compels me to buy a record. I also enjoyed the unpretentious Wind Through The Olive Trees, a song I hadn’t heard.
So by creating a warm sound and by including a couple of lesser-known works, Robin Spielberg has pretty much the standard set of Christmas carols and made them sound new.
-Richard Banks, ChristmasReviews.com
The Christmas Collection is Robin Spielberg’s first Christmas album in seven years, and her first ever solo piano Christmas album. As a piano teacher who teaches Christmas music from the end of October (recital preparation) through the holidays, there is kind of a standing joke about how much I hate Christmas music by the time the holiday actually arrives, but this collection is so elegant and lovingly played that it might be one of the few that I will continue to enjoy right through Christmas Day. Spielberg keeps her arrangements simple, allowing the beauty of the melodies to sing and gently convey their messages of hope, joy, and peace. Spielberg opens the collection with a great arrangement of Carol of the Bells – one of my favorites. This can be a very energetic piece, and Spielberg slows it down a bit, emphasizing the haunting melody and harmonies, giving it a fresh new interpretation. Spielberg’s arrangement of O Holy Night is also different, as she gives the chorus a very gentle and quiet treatment rather than a commanding Fall on your knees! that is usually done, making this a very understated and thoughtful piece. Other pieces included are O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, The Coventry Carol and a sprightly version of Jingle Bells. There are also lovely versions of In the Bleak Midwinter and Wind Through the Olive Trees, which aren’t as well-known. This is a wonderful collection of Christmas music that would be a great accompaniment for your holiday festivities as well as a soothing antidote for the stresses of the season. Very highly recommended!
– Kathy Parsons Solo Piano Publications