Search - Christopher Rouse, Witold Lutoslawski, Joaquin Rodrigo :: Karolju: Christmas Music from Rouse, Lutoslawski & Rodrigo

Sparklingly original traditional music

Alan Hodge | Cincinnati, USA | 12/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was privileged to hear the world premier of Karolju in 1991 and for years replayed it from a tape I recorded from a radio rebroadcast. I am delighted that Karolju has been recorded and is now commercially available; it deserves a wide audience.

Karolju is a series of carol-like pieces composed by Christopher Rouse. Because the music is very much in the style of traditional carols, it might sound familiar to you, but these are all original "carols" composed as a suite. Ranging from brilliant color to sublime meditativeness, the half-hour suite captures both the celebratory and the solemn aspects of the season. Every December brings forth a new crop of Christmas music, most of it the same stuff that has been recorded already scores of times. In 2007's crop Karolju stands out as truly distinctive: outstanding music that is both perfectly suited to the season and genuinely original. A large part of its originality lies in its texts, which involve something of a surprise that I will not divulge here. Suffice it to say that Karolju could be the perfect musical marriage of singing and orchestration.

This recording is conducted by David Zinman, who conducted the premier and must surely know this music better than anyone other than Christopher Rouse himself.

The companion pieces, Polish Christmas Carols by Witold Lutoslawski and Retablo de Navidad by Joaquin Rodrigo, while lacking Karolju's color and brilliance, complement it nicely and give the entire CD a unity of style and tone.

I'm not a musician, so I can't pass judgment on this CD academically or technically. But I know what I like when I hear it. I have to believe that anyone who enjoys traditional Christmas music would thoroughly enjoy this recording. I can't recommend it too highly."

Christmas Carmina

Jeff Dunn | Alameda, California United States | 12/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Karolju is a tribute to the simplicity, rhythmic viability, and tune-catchiness of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" by one of America's top five composers, Christopher Rouse. Its movements are generally in major keys. Some are quiet, several are ho-ho Santa-ish, all are a joy to hear. Don't just buy them for Christmas--they're good any time of the year to get you out of your doldrums.



The Lutoslawski piece makes a fine contrast, being a bit more austere and reflective. The Rodrigo is yet another (short) contrast, with a definite Spanish character. The whole set is rounded nicely, beautifully recorded, lustily performed, and should belong on any tune-lover's shelf."

Karolju is a lot of fun

Doris A. Henderson | Fort Washington, MD | 01/24/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I really like Karolju. I was not impressed with some of the other music that filled out the CD, hence I awarded 4 stars instead of 5."