Search - Julie Andrews, Andre Previn :: Christmas Treasure

The Julie Andrews-André Previn 1968 Christmas Album

Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 12/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""A Christmas Treasure" was originally released in 1968, and was Julie Andrews' first album after she did "The Song of Music." Actually, it was the first non-soundtrack she had recorded in quiet some team. Composer André Previn does the orchestrations, which includes some rather unconventional arrangements, such as "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," which are quite reminiscient of the movie soundtracks for which he was well-known. Previn also he plays harpsichord on instrumental versions of "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Greensleeves (What Child Is This?)." As for the songs, some of them might be a bit unfamiliar to an American audience, but certainly this would not be the case for English listeners, especially if raised in the Church of England, such as "The Lamb of God" and "Sunny Bank (I Saw Three Ships)." Then again, you may well recognize the tune for "Angels From the Realm of Glory," but not the words. That is not to say there are not some familiar Christmas songs here, because there certainly are: "Joy to the World," "Deck the Halls," "Away in the Manger," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," and "Jingle Bells." Actually, ending the album with "Jingle Bells" seems a bit odd, because overall this album provides a fairly formal setting for the glorious voice of Julie Andrews. Listening to "A Christmas Treasure" is like listening to a Christmas concert in church. Final Note: Be aware that this album is also available as a 2000 release entitled "Greatest Christmas Songs," which fails to give Previn equally billing and tacks on a trio of Broadway show tunes from Andrews' 1958 "Julie Andrews Sings" album. An odd set of bonus tracks that provide a rare instance where more is less."

They don't get any better than this...

Neal C. Reynolds | Indianapolis, Indiana | 12/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm generally critical of reviews that state that one particular CD is the best of its genre, but I am not going to argue with anyone who says this is the best ever Christmas record, although there are a very few others I consider just as good, but no better.It's fantastic to realize that this album was recorded in May and June, 1966, during typical California late Spring and early Summer weather. Both Julie Andrews and the orchestra under the direction of Andre Previn express the Christmas feeling perfectly just as if it were being recorded in the heart of Winter.Julie Andrews unique talent was the way that she expressed exactly the meaning of the lyrics she sang. Thus, you have a heart felt joyfulness in "Joy To The World" and "Deck The Halls", sincere reverence in "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem", etc.As splendid as her voice and her performance are here, Andre Previn must be given equal credit for his arrangements which combine a modern sound with the traditional. I'd find it impossible to be able to choose only one Christmas album, but allow me 10, and this would definitely be one."

Superb Andrews/Previn collaboration of Christmas carols

J. Krohn | Minneapolis, MN United States | 11/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent Christmas holiday recording (from 1968); withstands test of time by Andrew's impeccable singing and Previn's delicious musical arrangements. Particular favorite is "I Saw Three Ships" in which Previn utilizes Copland-style rhythm and dynamics throughout. I was so elated to find it on CD, my LP is long worn out !!"