"This double CD features the truly magical 1960 recording ‘For it is Christmas’, a tapestry of sound that is a tour de force in music and spoken word celebration of the festive season. Soundtrack composer and conductor Alexander Faris (best known for the ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ theme) oversees the proceedings supported by an array of seasoned musicians and performers. ‘Christmas Past’ is delightfully brought to life across two themed suites that feature the words of Shakespeare, Dickens and Dylan Thomas and an imaginative selection of music that thoughtfully represents the season across the globe. ‘For it is Christmas’ was an ingenious production from the brilliant creative mind of Fiona Bentley who worked on many recorded works with similar inventive ‘soundscape’ concepts. If there was a Christmas piece designed to take the listener into a magical journey of adventure, it is Rimsky-Korsakov’s Christmas Eve Suite (here recorded by Ernest Ansermet). It is a movie soundtrack for the imagination that is perfect for the excitement and wonder of the evening before Christmas. Providing a meditative interlude, interspersed between the recordings are some poetry readings by Alec Guinness, these include the work of T. S. Eliot, Vaughan and Betjeman (the latter also reads his own work ‘Indoor Games near Newbury’). Christmas Eve wouldn’t be complete without hearing something from the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. In this case we have a rare recording made by the BBC, not the legendary ‘A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols’ but a selection of traditional English Carols made as an example of English culture for English language educational use overseas. These recordings are preceded by a charming reading of an extract of that carol’s words. As day turns into night, perfect for the gentle reflection that often comes as that day closes, and a prelude for the joyful celebrations of the following day is the atmospheric and undeniably warm vintage sounds of ‘Songs for Christmas Night’, traditional carols sung in their original German with a large orchestra and bells. To close the collection, King’s College return with the London Symphony Orchestra to appear on Vaughan Williams’ marvellous ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’ before a reading of the historic ‘The Cherry Tree Carol’. Other music featured is provided by the stirring and timeless sound of The International Staff Band of the Salvation Army, the Roger Wagner Chorale and Morton Gould and His Orchestra who present a distinctively unique medley of carols."

Please note that in some cases the sound quality will reflect the age and rarity of the recordings.

Playing Times: CD ONE 79:17 - CD TWO 78:53 Stereo/Mono Please see images for full track listing.

Original Historic Archive Recordings - Recorded 1949-62

I am very happy to combine postage on CDs: I can send two standard single disc CDs together for an extra 89p. Two standard double disc CDs can be sent for the same price as one (usually £2.99). £3.85 for Royal Mail Small Parcel Size (up to 2kg) will allow for 23 standard single disc CDs or around 18 standard double disc CDs (although there may be room for a few more). Please message me before buying/bidding for confirmation of how many CDs will fit in a 2kg box. On all combined postage options, please request a revised invoice by selecting ‘Request Total from Seller’ (please note that this option may not be available on the eBay mobile app). For box sets, please message me for a quote. Overseas orders are handled by eBay’s Global Shipping Scheme; the shipping cost is set by eBay and not by us.

CD

UK Post & Packing is: £2.99

(includes eBay's new 10% shipping fee)

CD will be sent out directly by the record label.

For similar CDs packed full of evocative Christmas atmosphere please check out our other listings for more Old Thundridge Christmas CD Sets.

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