Artist: King's College Choir

Author: Richard Curtis, Ben Elton
By BBC Audiobooks Ltd

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A cracking festive helping of Britain's finest comedy., 2001-01-26
Messers Elton and Curtis serve up a festive edition of the nations favourite sardonic, scheming and manipulative rogue, only this time he's an all round nice bloke. It's Christmas Eve and want is keenly felt, but unlike his self-centred ancestors, Ebeneezer Blackadder is the most benevolent man in old London town. Even the exploitation of his boundless generousity by Mrs Cratchitt (who's son 'Tiny' Tom should, the later-transformed Blackadder suggests, be scooped out and used as a houseboat), loathsome niece Millicent et al cannot dampen this paragon of altruism's good cheer. But in a twist on Dickens' classic tale, the arrival of the oversized Robbie Coltrane as the ghost of Christmas, sees the hero transformed from loveable philanthropist to loathsome misanthropist, serving up the kind of scathing character we all know and love -Great! Visions from Elizabeth's court and Prince George's home awaken him to the profit to be made from being a selfish 'git' in the mould of his forefathers, and Mr Baldrick is bound to suffer for this change. Blackadder's Christmas Carol, though not of the consistent quality of many of the episodes from the full series, does not fail to amuse. It contains several of the classic one liners and put downs that Captain Blackadder would have been proud of, and there's a hilarious paucine version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (or Mr Blackadder in this case) which stirs the transformed hero's loathsome nature into memorable disgust. This is well worth a look, or listen, whether at the festive season or not. A must for the ardent fan.

Rated: Exempt
Staring: The Northern Ballet Theatre, Jeremy Kerridge, William Walker, Lorena Vidal, Royce Neagle

disappointing, 2009-07-02
i was so looking forward to watching this as i am a big fan of nbt, however i really don't think that the filming and lighting did it any justice at all.dark costumes, dark scenery with little colour and lighting made it frustrating viewing,completely the opposite of what i was expecting. no bonus features either.

Peace in Our Time, 2002-11-24
Lincoln College Choir's Peace in Our Time is a compilation of varied and beautiful choral music. While its over-riding theme is that of Peace and War, the references are subtle, and the programme has been carefully chosen. It includes the lesser known Howells carol, Here is the Little Door, and songs by Part and Tavener, as well as more traditional chapel choir works by Stanford and Parry. The two Vaughan Williams songs are remarkable. Of particular note is Dove e Amore, by contemporary composer, Philip Wilby. This is characterised by brilliant modern harmonies with individual voices chipping in to give a wonderful texture, sometimes rich and sometimes light, to this Italian setting of the prayer by St Francis of Assissi. The organ pieces also are a revelation... instead of skipping these two tracks (as I usually do with organ music), you will find yourself shushing those around you so you can listen. Throughout, the choir achieves a beautifully blended sound, whose voice is youthful and clean, but also displays maturity of colour and interpretation. This is most poignant in Guest's They Shall Grow Not Old, which commemorates the young soldiers who lost their lives in the world wars. However, the album is rather uplifting than mournful. I highly recommend it to choral novices and old hands alike.

Artist: Compositeurs divers, Monteverdi Choir, John Eliot Gardiner (direction), John Eliot Gardiner

Between 1935 and 1981 a nativity play made up of music, readings and drama was presented at the family home of conductor John Eliot Gardiner in Fontmell Magma, Dorset. Gardiner's enterprising parents were apparently able to persuade local schoolchildren, farmers and farmhands, local actors and amateur musicians to prepare performances of 16th-century polyphony, readings of Milton, and French and German carols for the annual concert reconstructed on this disc (the readings are confined to the booklet text). Most of the material comes from the 16th century. There is little here that will be familiar to the casual listener. As one would expect from these artists, the singing is of the highest order--precise intonation, crisp articulation, wonderfully-balanced voices, deftly-shaped phrasing--but there is something missing, namely a serious lack of variety in mood (reflective and sombre dominate rather than joyous and celebratory) and texture (almost every item is an unaccompanied part-song). One wishes there were more than just four numbers underscored with cornet and sackbuts for they are enchanting, as is the plaintive solo sopranino recorder used in three items. It is, in short, a d...
This is the Christmas record I come back to again and again, 2008-12-05
for its immaculate performance, choice of pieces and spiritual quality. There is music from all over Europe, from the middle ages to the twentieth century, yet the disc holds together as an experience, taking the listener through the Christmas story and meditating upon it. Few of the pieces are well-known, but all are worthy of inclusion.

"The theme of this album is the birth of Christ, reflected in the words and music of 22 carols spanning more than six centuries." This description might also say that the programme contains some of the best and best-loved Christmas choral pieces of all time, presented in a pleasing mix of familiar carols and lesser-known original works. Among the best-known selections are Darke's "In the bleak mid-winter" and Howells's "A spotless rose." Several original pieces by John Rutter appear here for the first time--"Christmas Night", "There Is A Flower", and "Nativity Carol". Other notable highlights are Peter Cornelius's "The three kings" and the lively Willcocks arrangement of "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day." Of course, the singing is among the best on the planet--in fact, there may even be a few heavenly angels in the soprano section. --David Vernier
A must-have for any Christmas junkie and/or Rutter fan, 2001-11-24
This CD got the spirit of Christmas here in an instant. Rutter's own compositions are my favorites, but all the tracks are excellent. The singing is incredible, the orchestration superb, everything done with great feeling.

Author: Ben Elton, Richard Curtis
By BBC Audiobooks Ltd

A cracking festive helping of Britain's finest comedy., 2001-01-26
Messers Elton and Curtis serve up a festive edition of the nations favourite sardonic, scheming and manipulative rogue, only this time he's an all round nice bloke. It's Christmas Eve and want is keenly felt, but unlike his self-centred ancestors, Ebeneezer Blackadder is the most benevolent man in old London town. Even the exploitation of his boundless generousity by Mrs Cratchitt (who's son 'Tiny' Tom should, the later-transformed Blackadder suggests, be scooped out and used as a houseboat), loathsome niece Millicent et al cannot dampen this paragon of altruism's good cheer. But in a twist on Dickens' classic tale, the arrival of the oversized Robbie Coltrane as the ghost of Christmas, sees the hero transformed from loveable philanthropist to loathsome misanthropist, serving up the kind of scathing character we all know and love -Great! Visions from Elizabeth's court and Prince George's home awaken him to the profit to be made from being a selfish 'git' in the mould of his forefathers, and Mr Baldrick is bound to suffer for this change. Blackadder's Christmas Carol, though not of the consistent quality of many of the episodes from the full series, does not fail to amuse. It contains several of the classic one liners and put downs that Captain Blackadder would have been proud of, and there's a hilarious paucine version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (or Mr Blackadder in this case) which stirs the transformed hero's loathsome nature into memorable disgust. This is well worth a look, or listen, whether at the festive season or not. A must for the ardent fan.

Artist: Monastic Choir of Solesmes, Claire

Uncommon voice, 2006-10-27
The programe of the CD is interesting (very good choices).The treble's voice of the soloist is beautiful and uncommon.The singing is expressive.There is good piano and organ playing with it.