Album DescriptionCelebrate the holidays, the winter solstice, traditional music, and all the best things about Christmas. From conservatory rehearsal rooms to all night sessions at Irish pubs, a montage of Early Music, Celtic, and traditional tunes blend and a glorious new sound is born. With crackling energy and brilliant performances Ensemble Galilei delivers a virtuosic display of lush sounds and joyous music-making for the Holiday season in a wondrous mix of timeless Christmas classics, Celtic carols from Galicia, Spain, and the Isles of Scotland and Ireland, Medieval and Renaissance dance tunes, and original compositions to celebrate the winter solstice. Recorded in the historic Great Hall of St. John?s College in Annapolis, Maryland, Ensemble Galilei captures the intimacy, warmth and joyous energy of Christmas in a small town.More Ensemble Galilei?s recordings on the Maggie?s Music label are: Music in the Great Hall: instrumental music from the Ancient Celtic Lands. It! was also recorded in the Great Hall and was a bestseller with numerous features on public radio.The CD includes Scottish fiddle Champion, Bonnie Rideout. Ancient Noels with Maggie Sansone, an INDIE finalist for "Best Seasonal Album of the Year". In 1994 Ensemble Galilei won a Wammie for "Best Chamber Ensemble" awarded by the Washington Area Music Association. They tour extensively throughout the USA.