Remastered 'Christmas Overture' of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Is Readily Available

[Samuel Coleridge-Taylor; Chicago Sinfonietta; Paul Freeman; Cedille 90000 055 (2000)]

On Dec. 7, 2008 AfriClassical posted: “'Christmas Overture' of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Available On Naxos & Pristine Audio CDs”. Naxos distribution is well-known and appreciated by us. We had no experience with Pristine Audio, so we placed an order on Sunday, Dec. 7 and received the CD by Priority Mail from France on Dec. 15. It was easily the most rapid trans-Atlantic CD delivery we have experienced. The Pristine Audio recording of the Christmas Overture of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is remastered from a recording by the BBC Wireless Orchestra, conducted by Percy Pitt, on UK Columbia 9137. It was recorded on February 23, 1926. The price of the standard CD, without a CD case, is 10 Euros, shipping included. Exchange rates vary daily, but as of this writing €10 equals $13.70. [Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

'Christmas Overture' of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Available On Naxos & Pristine Audio CDs

[Samuel Coleridge-Taylor; Chicago Sinfonietta; Paul Freeman; Cedille 90000 055 (2000)]

The little-known Christmas Overture of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, who is profiled at AfriClassical.com, is now available on two separate CDs, on the Naxos and Pristine Audio labels. We present a brief review of each disc.

Audiophile Audition reviews Pristine Audio PAMX005:

“The two orchestral pieces are also very finely transferred, a vigorously played overture to Hansel and Gretel, conducted by the great Albert Coates, whose reputation as a fine musician is undiminished, and a rarity, the Christmas Overture by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, whose all-too-short life makes one think what might have been had he lived longer.”

MusicWeb-International.com reviews NAXOS 8.570331 [69:30]:

“Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is best known for his Hiawatha trilogy, but his Christmas Overture appeared only in 1925 after being arranged by Sydney Baynes, composer of the ‘Destiny Waltz.’ It is a nicely put-together piece, being more than just a pot-pourri of Christmas tunes, but cleverly integrating some famous carols like Hark the herald angels sing and God rest you, merry gentlemen into a pleasantly coherent work.  Dominy Clements”