The Three Tenors Christmas

Resplendent in voice and manner, José Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti deliver 21 songs of traditional sacred music and secular numbers in a remarkable 1999 live recording from the opulent Viennese concert hall (Konzerthaus), with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and a renowned choir. The Three Tenors are practically as famous as the faces of Mount Rushmore and inspire perhaps even more awe and adulation around the world than the four presidents. The performances–whether alone, in tandem, or simply as the threesome that has made them collectively famous–are generally impeccable for their passion, nuance, and sheer tour de force vocal artistry. Reaching often into the classical realm for such works as the traditional German carol "Susani," Strauss's and Brahms's "Wiegenlied," plus traditional Polish and Spanish pieces, the trio also visits Pavarotti's "Ave Maria, dolce Maria" (cowritten with Vittoriano Benvenuti), and "Un nuevo siglo," written by Domingo's son. Only John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Christmas/War Is Over" doesn't quite work in this grand setting. –Martin Keller

On this CD:

1. Cantique de Noel for voice & orchestra, "O Holy Night"
Composed by Adolphe Adam
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Three Tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

2. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste fidelis)
Composed by John Francis Wade
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

3. Ave Maria, dolce Maria
Composed by Vittoriano Benvenuti
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

4. Wiegenlied ("Guten Abend, gut Nacht"), song for voice & piano, Op. 49/4
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

5. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) (German)
Composed by Christmas Traditional
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

6. Tu scendi dalle stelle (Italian)
Composed by Christmas Traditional
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

7. Amazing Grace
Composed by Spiritual Traditional
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

8. White Christmas, song (from "Holiday Inn")
Composed by Irving Berlin
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

9. Dormi, dormi bambino (Italy)
Composed by Christmas Traditional
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

10. Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night)
Composed by Franz Xaver Gruber
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

11. Pregaria (El cant de l'anima a la Verge)
Composed by Fermin Maria Alvarez
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

12. Susani (German)
Composed by Christmas Traditional
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

13. Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
Composed by John Lennon, Yoko Ono
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

14. Wiegenlied ("Träume, träume, du mein süsses Leben"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 41/1 (TrV 195/1)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

15. The Little Drummer Boy (Carol of the Drum), carol
Composed by Katherine K. Davis
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

16. La Virgen lava pañales (Spanish)
Composed by Christmas Traditional
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas
Composed by Walter Kent
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

18. Sleigh Ride, popular song (with lyrics by Mitchell Parrish)
Composed by Leroy Anderson
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

19. Winter Wonderland
Composed by Felix Bernard
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

20. Un Nuevo Siglo
Composed by Placido Jr. [son] Domingo
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Placido Domingo
Conducted by Steven Mercurio

21. Feliz Navidad
Composed by Jose Feliciano
Performed by Vienna Symphony Orchestra
with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras
Conducted by Steven Mercurio







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