We released Volume I of the Robert Shaw Chorale’s Christmas Hymns and Carols to rapturous response from lovers of Christmas music everywhere, so following it up with Volume II was a natural. Indeed, this second volume of Christmas carols—presented, like on its predecessor, in a series of medleys—perfectly complements the first volume by casting its eye a bit farther afield in search of repertoire suited for the brilliant arrangements of Fred Waring protégé Shaw and his longtime collaborator, Alice Parker. So, instead of the well-worn “O Come All Ye Faithful”/”The First Nowell”/”O Little Town of Bethlehem” medley that led off Volume I, here a medley of “I Saw Three Ships”/”O Tannenbaum”/”Allon, Gay Gay Bergeres”/”The Holly and the Ivy” leads off, followed by “Fum, Fum, Fum”/”Hacia Belén”/”Ya Viene La Vieja”/”La Virgen Lava Pañales,” and more relatively unfamiliar fare, all flawlessly and fervently rendered by The Chorale. Though this 1952 record was meant as a follow-up to Volume I, and, unlike that album, did not enjoy a stereo re-recording later in the decade (it was reissued in mono with new album art in 1957; the stereo version of Volume I is the version we reissued in 2016), it more than holds its own against its forebear; and, since that record is generally reckoned among the greatest Christmas albums of all time, this one would rank right up there, too. Includes the original and reissue album art, with liner notes by Sean Cogan; Maria Triana’s remastering at Battery Studios in New York lends a little holiday luster to every note. CD debut of a Christmas choral masterpiece!

  1. I Saw Three Ships/O Tannenbaum/Allon, Gay Gay Bergeres/The Holly and the Ivy