Arthur Fiedler & Boston Pops – Pops Christmas Party (1959/1994/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Arthur Fiedler & Boston Pops – Pops Christmas Party (1959/1994/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:12:40 minutes | 2,36 GB | Genre: Christmas
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RCA Records

This Boston Pops Orchestra holiday compilation, first released in 1959 then reissued in 1994, features some recordings that have become hallmarks of the holiday season, like Leroy Anderson’s arrangement of “Sleigh Ride”. Arthur Fiedler was the first conductor of Boston Pops and was famous for popularizing orchestral music.

When it originally appeared in 1959, this LP was regarded as one of the sonic gems in the RCA Victor “Living Stereo” library, a demonstration-quality stereo record that was also chock-full of supremely enjoyable music, from Leroy Anderson to Tchaikovsky. And original “Shaded Dog” label copies (referring to the early masterings/pressings, and the image of “Nipper” the dog on the label) in mint condition are still highly prized by audiophiles 50 years later. The repertory here, a mix of light orchestral holiday standards, arrangements of popular Christmas songs, and some excerpts from more ambitious classical works (especially The Nutcracker), was ideal for Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, and they ran with it — Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” is the most famous recording here, a classic that is almost as ubiquitous during the Christmas season as Bing Crosby’s recording of “White Christmas.” But there’s a lot else to love on this album, including “A Christmas Festival,” Anderson’s arrangement of familiar songs and carols (“Joy to the World” etc.) as an orchestral fantasia, plus “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland.” Some of the material may seem to go far afield, but it’s all winter-themed and holds together exceptionally well. The 1994 CD reissue was expanded to just over 72 minutes, and offers exceptionally bright, crisp sound. –AllMusic Review by Bruce Eder

Tracklist:
01. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – A Christmas Festival: Joy To The World / Deck The Halls / Good King Wenceslas / Good Rest Ye Marry, Gentlemen / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / The First Nowell / Silent Night / Jingle Bells / O Come, All Ye Faithful (08:43)
02. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Overture (03:10)
03. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – White Christmas, (from Holiday Inn) (02:51)
04. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Sleigh Ride (03:02)
05. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Winter Wonderland (03:00)
06. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Parade of the Tin Soldiers for orchestra (Parade der Zinsoldaten), Op. 123 (03:58)
07. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Chocolate (Spanish Dance) (01:11)
08. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Coffee (Arabian Dance) (03:42)
09. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Tea (Chinese Dance) (01:13)
10. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – The Toy Trumpet (02:28)
11. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Trepak (Russian Dance) (01:04)
12. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Dance of the Flutes (02:08)
13. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Hänsel und Gretel: Dream Pantomime (09:38)
14. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Mother Gigogne and the Clowns (02:40)
15. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – German Dances, K.605; Sleigh Ride, No. 3 (02:42)
16. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Waltz of the Flowers (06:26)
17. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Pas de deux (04:43)
18. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy (01:28)
19. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (02:13)
20. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Nutcracker, Op. 71: Final Waltz (03:32)
21. Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra – Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (02:37)

Personnel:
The Boston Pops Orchestra
Arthur Fiedler, conductor

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