Christmas with the Brass
Christmas and brass go together like peas and carrots. From playing a park squares to Salvation Army kettles, brass just goes with Christmas.
2025
Niemals war die Nacht so klar (The night had never been so clear)
Genesis Brass, Christian Sprenger
"Macht hoch die Tür" (Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates) is the opening of the new Christmas album that Christian Sprenger is releasing with his brass ensemble genesis brass on GENUIN. And with that, the door is already wide open for an hour of the finest Advent and Christmas brass music, arranged and composed by Christian Sprenger and Anne Weckeßer.
The repertoire ranges from classics such as "Tochter Zion" (Zion’s Daughter) or "Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen" (My Heart Shall Leap for Joy) to evocative soundscapes like a "Böhmisches Wintermärchen" (Bohemian Winter’s Tale). The ensemble, made up of musicians from Berlin’s leading orchestras, performs with vitality, richness of sound, and infectious joy.
Release date: 28th Nov 2025. Digital release.
Label: Genuin
2024
1 Drei Nüsse für Aschenbrödel
2 Petersburger Schlittenfahrt, Op. 57
3 Joy To The World
4 Cantique de Noel
5 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
6 O Tannenbaum
7 Deck The Halls
8 No. 52: Mariä Wiegenlied
9 Good King Wenceslas
10 Ihr Kinderlein kommet
11 Jingle Bells
12 Lullaby for Jael (after Brahms' Intermezzo and Wiegenlied)
13 Der Winter
14 Apricity
15 Amazing Grace
16 Adeste fideles
17 Ave Maria, D. 839
18 Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, H. 145
Genuin (Note 1 Musikvertrieb)
2024
2024
John Rutter goes Brass with the Black Dyke Band and Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus
Editor's Note: Description is label's description.
Following on from the critically acclaimed Anthems, Hymns and Gloria (8.574130) released in 2020, Nicholas Childs and the Black Dyke Band return to the music of John Rutter with this album of Christmas carols arranged for brass.
The Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus is also featured on O Clap Your Hands, Nativity Carol and Te Deum. Includes twelve world premiere recordings.
Berlin Classics Issues Box Set of German Brass' Christmas Albums
The legendary Brass music Ensemble German Brass is turning 50 this year. Their legendary Christmas albums are now available in one box. Get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the splendor of the festivities with these wonderful recordings.
2022
In keeping with the Advent and Christmas season, German Brass now presents an album of the most beautiful and wonderful Christmas songs. The arrangements range from Bach chorales to "St. Petersburg Sleigh Ride". German Christmas classics like "O Tannenbaum" and "Leise rieselt der Schnee" resound and resound. And the international Christmas songs and melodies also include "Let it snow" by Jule Styne and "La Califfa" by Ennio Morricone. Entertaining, with a lot of joy in playing and on the highest musical level, the exceptional musicians on their album "It's Christmas Time" offer an atmospheric musical experience in a class of its own.
Based on the idea of shaking off musical constraints and creating their own music, the German Brass Quintet was formed in 1974, which later became German Bass. This initial quintet paved the way for a new chamber music formation for brass players. in 1984, on the occasion of the celebrations for Johann Sebastian Bach, the ensemble was expanded by five musicians. This marked the transition from a manageable chamber music ensemble to a large orchestral sound. Over the years, the ensemble has continuously rejuvenated itself, further enhancing its always exceptional musical quality.
In addition to what are now countless concert appearances in Germany, German Brass repeatedly embarks on foreign tours to play for music lovers all over the world. One of the many highlights was a summit meeting of brass music in New York. Together with members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, German Brass sparked storms of enthusiasm at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in 2002.
1. Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248: Jauchzet, frohlocket (Arr. for Brass Ensemble by Matthias Höfs) (5:13)
2. Joy to the World (1:03)
3. The First Noel (1:03)
4. Deck the Halls (1:19)
5. O Little Town of Bethlehem (1:08)
6. O Come All Ye Faithful (1:04)
7. Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248: Wir singen dir in deinem Heer (Arr. for Brass Ensemble by Matthias Höfs) (1:29)
8. Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248: Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht (Arr. for Brass Ensemble by Werner Heckmann) (1:15)
9. Sleighride (1:14)
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (3:01)
11. Winterwonderland (0:55)
12. Jingle Bells (1:26)
13. Nebo yasni zirky vkryly (2:00)
14. Shchedryk (1:28)
15. Petersburger Schlittenfahrt, Op. 57 (2:31)
16. Pásli ovce valsi (1:25)
17. Já bych rád k Betlému (1:13)
18. Nesem vám noviny (1:24)
19. Zu Bethlehem geboren (1:08)
20. The Christmas Song (3:28)
21. Let It Snow (2:28)
22. Ihr Kinderlein kommet (3:38)
23. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (3:19)
24. La Califfa (3:33)
25. Aguinaldo (2:35)
26. Maria durch ein' Dornwald ging (3:25)
27. O Tannenbaum (1:08)
28. Leise rieselt der Schnee (0:59)
29. Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann / O Freude über Freude (1:40)
30. Still, still, still (0:42)
31. Judas Maccabaeus, HWV 63: Tochter Zion (Arr for Brass Ensemble by Alexander Erbrich Crawford) (1:22)
32. Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her, BWV 769 (Arr. for Brass Ensemble by Matthias Höfs) (1:54)
Berlin Classics issues Felix Klieser Christmas Album
A Golden Christmas, Felix KlieserDecorate the hall with boughs of holly.... Horn player Felix Klieser loves snow and the freezing cold, even if he doesn't get much of it at home in Hanover. Ever since he was a child, winter has been his favorite season of the year - and not just for climatic reasons: "Even today, I'm an absolute Christmas fan and can't imagine anything better than coming back from a walk in the snow to a warm house and slowly warming up again with a cup of hot chocolate.
Little lights, trays full of cookies, a visit to the Christmas market - this time is definitely my highlight of the year!" says the horn player enthusiastically.
1. Deck the hall
2. Schließe, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder
3. Cantique de Noël
4. Carol of the bells
5. Veni, vani Emmanuel
6. He shall feed his flock
7. Großer Herr und starker König
8. Abendsegen
9. Pastorale sur la naissance
10. Das neugeborne Kindelein
11. Jesu komm' in meine Seele
12. Tochter Zion
13. Maria durch ein' Dornwald ging
14. Es kommt ein Schiff, geladen
15. Adeste fideles
16. Stille Nacht
Berlin Classics
2016
For many, Christmas time and music are inseparable. There have been countless songs, carols and musical compositions written on the theme of Christmas. Whether sacred or secular, music is an integral part of this festive holiday. When choosing which pieces to include on this Christmas album, we wanted to create one large opus that would serenade not only horn aficionados, but listeners all over the world, bringing them into the Christmas season. Following a previous successful collaboration on a large horn ensemble project, it was clear that the American Horn Quartet and horns of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra were destined to combine forces once more.
This Christmas album is the result, and will be the last from the AHQ before their retirement. Thanks to the great artistry and support of all those involved, this magical program came into being, serving not only as a farewell to the horn world from the American Horn Quartet, but as a musical gift to the world at large. Merry Christmas!
In its 30th and final season, the American Horn Quartet is unique in the field of brass chamber music. The AHQ’s exuberant performances have brought audiences all over the world to their feet. In 1982, four American horn players who were working and residing in Europe met for the first time to explore the potential of the horn quartet, a chamber music formation with a much longer tradition than most people realize.
In its 30th and final season, the American Horn Quartet is unique in the field of brass chamber music. The AHQ’s exuberant performances have brought audiences all over the world to their feet. In 1982, four American horn players who were working and residing in Europe met for the first time to explore the potential of the horn quartet, a chamber music formation with a much longer tradition than most people realize.
Mastering the already existing repertoire, they subsequently went on to compose, arrange and commission new works for the horn quartet. The individual members of the AHQ are successful soloists in their own right, having won top international competitions in New York, Geneva, Prague, Passau, Markneukirchen and Munich.
]As a quartet, they took top honors at numerous chamber music competitions, including the Philip Jones International Brass Chamber Music Competition in Barcs, Hungary; the Notamus Competiton in Brussels, Belgium; and the Tokyo International Chamber Music Competition in Japan.. Over the past 20 years, besides being featured at horn and brass festivals around the globe, the American Horn Quartet has established itself at regular chamber music concert series on the international circuit.
They have also appeared as soloists with numerous symphony orchestras, among them the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Brabants Orchestra of Eindhoven, Sinfonia Varsovia, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio and Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Some of the highlights of the AHQ’s performing career include their appearance at the Barbican Centre in London, with the Tonhalle-Orchester in Zürich, a recording collaboration with the horn section of the New York Philharmonic, a recital in Melbourne, Australia, with horn soloist legend Barry Tuckwell, performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl, and a five-minute standing ovation at the 20th International Horn Society Workshop in Tallahassee, Florida.
In total, the AHQ has presented more than 500 concerts and master classes worldwide, and produced ten critically acclaimed CDs. For individual biographies of the AHQ members, visit www.hornquartet.com.
For brass players, Christmastime is one of the best times of the year. For us, bringing out the stacks of carol arrangements each December is just like breaking out the boxes of Christmas tree ornaments and lights and decorating for the season.
Mainstreet Brass is pleased to present “Christmas Spirit,” which contains 11 new Christmas arrangements for brass — alone and with percussion — as well as some old favorites and a few surprises.
We hope you enjoy this recording and make it part of your holiday tradition for years to come. From Scrooge’s ghostly visitors to a sip of wassail, “Christmas Spirit” brings together a selection of carols and songs that will rekindle memories of Christmases past and bring anticipation of those yet to come.
Once in Royal David’s City (Henry John Gauntlett, arr. Richard Price)
Joy to the World (attrib. G.F. Handel, arr. Alan Danson)
In the Bleak Midwinter (G. Holst, arr. A. Danson)
Ding Dong! Merrily on High (16th century French carol, arr. A. Danson)
Linus and Lucy / Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi, arr. Kevin Long & Zachary Smith)
A Little Christmas Medley (arr. for MSB by Jonathan Smith)
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel / Rejoice and Be Merry (Gallery Carol) /
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Gloucestershire Wassail (English traditional, arr. Lawrence Eden)
Wexford Carol (12th century Irish carol, arr. R. Price)
A Christmas Carol - A Dickens of a Tale (A. Danson / text: Owen Surridge)
Deck the Halls (Welsh traditional carol, arr. A. Danson)
Frosty the Snowman (Steve Nelson, arr. Lewis J. Buckley)
We Three Kings of Orient Are (John H. Hopkins, arr. A. Danson)
Go Tell It on the Mountain (American traditional, arr. L.J. Buckley)
Joseph lieber, Joseph mein (Johann Walter, arr. Shari Gleason-Mayrhofer)
Rudolph and Santa (arr. for MSB by J. Smith)
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Johnny Marks) /
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (J. Fred Coots)
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Martin & Blane, arr. Tim Jameson)
We Wish You a Merry Christmas (16th century English carol, arr. Thomas G. Parriott)
https://www.msrcd.com/cd/christmas-spirit/
1986
| 1 Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly 2 Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming 3 Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella 4 The First Noel 5 Angels We Have Heard on High 6 We Three Kings of Orient Are 7 O Come, All Ye Faithful 8 O Sanctissima 9 O Tannenbaum 10 O Come, O Come, Emanuel 11 Good King Wenceslas 12 Silent Night, Holy Night 13 Joy To The World 14 The Twelve Days of Christmas 15 Coventry Carol 16 God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 17 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 18 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 19 Good Christian Men, Rejoice 20 O Holy Night 21 What Child Is This? 22 Wassail Song 23 O Little Town of Bethlehem 24 Away In A Manger 25 We Wish You a Merry Christmas |
2012
Nothing heralds the majesty of Christmastime quite like the brilliance and radiant beauty of music for brass instruments. On this remastered reissue of a classic holiday favorite, the Gabriel V Brass Ensemble presents a special collection of music for Christmas written by a variety of masters of the genre including Rolf Smedvig, Anthony DiLorenzo, Morten Lauridsen and William Berry. From the overflow of joy in J.S. Bach's Wie will ich mich freuen to the cinematic soundscape of DiLorenzo's Baltazar (A King's Journey) to the rosy-cheeked romp of Leroy Andersen's Sleigh Ride, each piece adds new luster to your celebration of this glorious season.
Gloriae Dei Cantores
2010
1 Septimi Toni No. 2
2 Carol of the Bells
3 My Little Drum
4 March Emmanuel
5 The First Noel
6 Shepard's Cradle Song
7 Petites Litanies de Jesus
8 A Christmas Medley
9 In the Bleak Midwinter
10 Joy to the World
11 Salut a la Compagnie
12 Duodecimi Toni
1994
1 God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen - The Canadian Brass Jazz All-Stars
2 The Holly and the Ivy
3 Let Merry Bells Ring Round
4 Short Fantasy on a Catalan Carol
5 The Angel Choir and the Trumpeter
6 The Toy Trumpet
7 Angels We Have Heard on High - The Canadian Brass Jazz All-Stars
8 Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Richard Stoltzman
9 O Holy Night - The Canadian Brass Jazz All-Stars
10 Tuba Lullaby
11 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
12 Sleigh Ride
13 Parade of Thewooden Soldiers
14 The Little Drummer Boy
15 Sheep May Safely Graze
16 Ave Maria
17 Sweet Songs of Christmas
18 Happy Christmas - The King's Singers
19 God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen - The Canadian Brass Jazz All-Stars
1990
| 1 A Visit From St. Nicholas 2 Carol Of The Bells 3 Away In A Manger 4 Jingle Bells 5 The First Nowell 6 Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy 7 We Three Kings 8 Angels From The Realms Of Glory 9 Coventry Carol 10 D'ou Viens-Tu, Bergere 11 The Twelve Days Of Christmas 12 Oh Come, Immanuel 13 I Wonder As I Wonder 14 What Child Is This? 15 La Clouche De Noel 16 We Wish You A Merry Christmas 17 Noel Nouvelet 18 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing 19 Silent Night 20 Good King Wenceslas 21 Hallelujah Chorus 22 Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming 23 Oh Come, All Ye Faithful |
Note: The above are not reviews but descriptions from the record label or artists. Edits to descriptions may have been made to condense the description or make grammatical corrections. Many descriptions are cut and pasted, so our apologies for formatting that we could not correct and make congruent with the rest of the post.
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