 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-07 12:37
This happens to be my favorite Christmas hymn, to the point that I'm trying to put together a CD of just various versions of it. I have versions from Pavarotti, Josh Groban and one by a female singer I can't recall at the moment (Sarah Brightman, maybe?). Does anybody have any suggestions of good recordings? I'd like to get instrumental versions as well, if there are any out there; any solo clarinet versions (to keep it on topic)? Google turns up about 186,000 hits for "Oh Holy Night" and I've checked out a couple of them, but I'd like some help with recommendations for finding the best ones (define 'best' by your own standards; I'll then sort them out for myself as I go along).
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-12-07 13:20
My favorites are by Nat King Cole and Harry Connick, Jr. I also have a cheesy piano instrumental by the Carpenters, but it sounds too Liberace for my taste.
I want a recording of Paul Shaffer from the Letterman show doing his annual impression of Cher singing it. Laffs galore!
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-12-07 13:24
Gosh, that wasn't hard to find!
Paul Shaffer's impression of Cher singing "O Holy Night":
http://www.k-statecats.com/dl_Paul_Cher_12-21-88.mp3
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2005-12-07 13:26
I'm extremely fond of Linda Eder and Mariah Carey's recordings. Linda's is straightforward and powerful, and Mariah has never been in better voice than when she recorded hers, and it has a wonderful gospel feel, with the Hammond organ and backing choir.
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Author: BG ★2017
Date: 2005-12-07 13:31
My favorite version is on the Tom Kubis Big Band CD that was originally titled "You Just Can't Have Enough Christmas," but now I see that the CD title has been changed to "Jazz Musician's Christmas." The song "O Holy Night" features Tom Kubis on a soprano sax solo, but the real thrill comes from the stratospheric trumpet solo of Wayne Bergeron. I highly recommend this CD for all who love big band jazz and are looking for some great Christmas arrangements!
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-07 13:39
> Paul Shaffer's impression of Cher singing "O Holy Night":
> http://www.k-statecats.com/dl_Paul_Cher_12-21-88.mp3
Either that doesn't exist any more, or it won't let me go to it. When I try, it just sends me to a site with a bunch of Letterman stuff, but which does not have this file.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-12-07 13:55
Can't download mp3 files at work, so I haven't actually tried it myself. But go to this page instead and do a keyword search for Cher:
http://www.ddy.com/dl28.html
Failing that, there's a simple .wav file that works on this page -- 11th item down:
http://www.wavsource.com/tv/letterman3.htm
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
Post Edited (2005-12-07 13:56)
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-07 14:03
Ralph G wrote:
> Can't download mp3 files at work, so I haven't actually tried
> it myself. But go to this page instead and do a keyword search
> for Cher:
>
> http://www.ddy.com/dl28.html
That worked. I don't think that one will be going on my list, though :-D.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-12-07 14:42
Celine Dion has a version of it that is absolutely gorgeous on her "These Are Special Times" CD.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-12-07 15:15
Mannheim Steamroller on "A Fresh Aire Christmas."
Also, search "cantique de noel" and "Minuit chrétiens" (with the quotes) to expand your hits.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-12-07 15:22
I like the Brave Combo "Oh Holy Night Cha Cha Cha" version. It's really really kewl!
Katrina
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2005-12-07 15:24
One of my favorites is on an old Joan Baez Christmas album entitled "Noel".
Off topic but related.
The best live version I've ever heard was by Melvin Hakola at Suomi Zion Lutheran Church Fairport Harbor, Ohio on Christmas Eve about 1960, or 61.
Melvin was a member of the church. He had an amazing baritone voice and had no trouble at all singing with the pipe organ. A few years later he sang with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus under Robert Shaw and played a priest in an opera at Severance Hall which had Beverly Sills as the lead.
I'm not sure of the timing, but he ended up teaching voice for many years at Baldwin Wallace college.
Post Edited (2005-12-07 17:35)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-12-07 15:32
Our Tulsa Comm. Band is playing a FINE arr. of it with a mezzo-soprano singing 1-2 verses. It may be Ed Huckaby's arr., am not sure, you could prob. could ask our webmaster who might have it. We rehearse tom. nite and I'll try to remember to write it down and report it Fri. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-12-07 18:33
And who can forget Cartman's rendition on South Park from Comedy Central?
(For those downunder...A US TV show, animated, cynical, satiric, sarcastic, and some would say satanic, but nonetheless hilarious. They skewer politicians, and most especially Barbra Streisand)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-12-07 20:38
I think they had a big following in Australia in the late '90s, going from what a colleague of mine mentioned when he visited.
I've only heard Cartman's cattle-prod prompted rendition, and I can imagine the cartoon version.
Was this (O Holy Night) written before or after Faure's 'Cantique de Jean Racine'?
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-07 20:56
Guys, let's get this back on track. I'm looking for serious renditions of this, not parodies. I'm open to all musical styles: rock, jazz, classical, operatic, etc, but not parodies. I'd even consider a country version if it was really well done.
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Author: stratford
Date: 2005-12-07 21:14
Yes,
We get the best (and some of the worst) TV from the UK and US here in Australia. South Park is very popular....
I am very fond of 'Oh Holy Night' as well...strangely enough, one of my favourite renditions is by a punk/scum/dirt/death/whatever rock band by the name of 'Chocolate Starfish'. The singer has a deep, growly, threatening sort of voice, but the version is great!
Cheers and Merry Christmas!
Chris
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-12-08 03:32
Personally I don't consider the Cha Cha version by Brave Combo to be a parody...Simply another version...They treat it well.
Katrina
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-12-08 03:40
Chris P. wrote, "Was this (O Holy Night) written before or after Faure's 'Cantique de Jean Racine'?"
Before. From what I can find, Placide Clappeau wrote the lyrics in 1847. Adolphe Adam wrote the music, presumably around the same time. (Adam died in 1856.) Faure was born in 1845 and wrote "Cantique de Jean Racine" in 1865 -- nine years after Adam's death.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2005-12-08 04:51
Also one of my favorites, as a singer I've been taken by the lyrics, and especially the beginning of verse 3...
"Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease."
Though written in France of course, this was composed near the height of the abolitionist movement in the USA. Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1851-2. The American Civil war was fought in 1861-65, and the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1865.
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Author: SGTClarinet_7
Date: 2005-12-08 04:55
As this is also my favorite Christmas hymn, check out the arrangement by Christian singer Sandi Patti. I have yet to hear a better arrangement! You will fall in love with it from the first time you listen.
Matthew
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-08 11:44
Thanks for the suggestions! I can see that I've got some searching to do to find these.
Has anybody heard an instrumental version featuring clarinets? In my mind's ear, it seems like a clarinet choir could do wonderful things with this piece, maybe could add about 3 voice parts (soprano, tenor and bass?) as well.
And this reminds me: it seems like I've heard Robert Goulet doing this as well...
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Author: Kathy
Date: 2005-12-08 12:15
The Irish Tenors have done two versions of this song -- one on each of their Christmas albums (Home for Christmas and We Three Kings). Each of the tenors solos on one of the verses and do three part tenor harmony on the chorus. They are both very wonderful recordings.
Kathleen
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-08 13:25
Katrina said:
"Personally I don't consider the Cha Cha version by Brave Combo to be a parody...Simply another version...They treat it well."
I wasn't referring to that one, but rather to the South Park references as parodies.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-12-08 14:53
Archer1960 wrote: "Has anybody heard an instrumental version featuring clarinets?"
Well, one clarinet. Richard Stoltzman does a "new age" version on "Hark." He plays the melody accompanied by Bill Douglas on electric piano and perhaps Emily Mitchell on harp.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-12-08 15:08
As I mentioned earlier, our Tulsa Band arr has some beautiful Bb cl parts, and its a pleasure to play my alto/bass cl parts, well harmonized. Because of very cold temps, 0 F, and icy roads, we wont reh tonite, so I'll see if I can dig up the arranger's/publisher's name and report. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Clari9801SC
Date: 2005-12-08 16:37
Hey, Ralph G. , must be one of us, meaning the Universal Church, either that or you really love the Pope John Paul II quote. I love "O Holy Night" as well and would love to find some FREE music one day. We'll see.
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2005-12-08 21:17
My fav. is Kathleen Battle. She is singing with an English orchestra. I do not remember which one though.
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-09 11:54
I went through my collection last night and found that my memory was faulty on some of the versions I had: I found a Trans-Siberian Orchestra instrumental version which was just ok, a Robert Goulet which was good, a slightly better than good Pavarotti and another one as a free download from Amazon (the artist's name excapes me at the moment), and a truly magnificent version from The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
I also ordered the Celine Dion and Kathleen Battle CD's; I had heard the Celine Dion version on the radio before, but I don't think I've heard the Battle one. I guess I've only heard Josh Groban on the radio, even though I had thought my wife had the CD.
That's still not enough to fill up a CD, though, so keep the recommendations coming <grin>.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-12-09 13:15
Hi Archer - At last I have my Alto cl copy of O H N here. We, Tulsa Comm Band, reh'd it last night, concert tonight, went well in spite of cold and snow, its 5 BELOW [F] now ! The page shows Adolphe Charles Adam [composer] Arranged by Calvin Custer, "Adagio", 4/4 and 3/4 Intro, then 12/8 with triplet figures,," Lento" last 4 bars. Published by Belwin Mills Corp 1994, c/o CPP/BelWin,Inc, Miami, FL 33014 [CPRT of course]. It plays well for us, our "girl" singer had some difficulty adapting to the "pick-up" character of the lyrics, I'm NOT a singer tho. If a cl choir version is desired and not available, one might analyze the score, picking out the various melody/harmony insts, and transposing as needed, I'm also NOT an arranger. Caution, {MC/GBK], if this is improper by copyright rules, please delete these last 2 sentences. TKS, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-13 16:25
I got my copies of Kathleen Battle and Celine Dion today and listened to their versions. Battle sure has a beautiful voice! The only (minor) complaint I have about her version is that her vibrato is so strong in some places that I can't understand the words, but with that voice it almost doesn't matter...
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Author: MD1032
Date: 2005-12-14 01:31
Someone sent me this hilarious recording a while back. I have no idea where it came from or whether it's supposed to be serious or not (I hope it's not), but it's hilarious. So without further ado, O Holy Night:
http://s57.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2F7TXRODCPAMO1R3CHW601QJI6
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-15 01:09
MD1032 wrote:
> Someone sent me this hilarious recording a while back. I have
> no idea where it came from or whether it's supposed to be
> serious or not (I hope it's not), but it's hilarious. So
> without further ado, O Holy Night:
>
> http://s57.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2F7TXRODCPAMO1R3CHW601QJI6
Unfortunately, I think it's intended to be serious. Sounds like one of those early contestants on "American Idol" who think they can sing, but are actually awful. I'm an awful singer, but know it and don't inflict myself on others the way that guy did ;-P
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-12-15 02:13
No, I'm pretty sure that it is actually Adam Sandler singing it and being bad on purpose.
At 3"30' into the song you can hear that it's him when he goes up real high.
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-12-16 17:44
Last call -
Nobody has any good instrumental versions? I have the Trans-Siberian Orchestra version, but that's the only one.
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