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12/16/2012
“Noël - 25 Hymns of Christmas”
Joy to the World, One in Royal David’s City, O come, All Ye Faithful, Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light, Angels from the Realms of Glory, Gentle Mary Laid her Child, Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, It Came Upon a Mignight Clear, Angels We Have Heard on High, See Amd the Winter’s Snow, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel, Go, Tell It on the Mountain, We Three Kings, Still, Still, Still, Good Christian Men, Rejoice, O Morning Star, Away in a Manger, What Child is This, On this Day Earth Shall Ring, In the Bleak Midwinter, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night
William Neil (organ)
Recorded on the John Jay Hopkins Memorial Organ at the National Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC (2006) – 63’55
MSR Classics, MS 1153 – Booklet in English
 
The John Jay Hopkins Memorial Organ in the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC is one of the finest and most powerful organs in the United States. This majestic Aeolian Skinner instrument was built in 1969 and is their opus 1456. Five keyboards, over 7000 pipes, a vast array of stops and, last but not least, the National Presbyterian Church's magnificent acoustics, are any organists dream come true. William Neil, organist of the National Presbyterian Church in Washington DC and of the National Symphony Orchestra chose "his" organ for his CD recording "Noël - 25 Christmas Hymns".
Although first released in 2006, this magnificent recording of 25 of the most beloved Christmas Hymns is still worth listening to, especially at this time of the year. Yuletide is upon us again and it’s hard to escape from arrangements of Christmas carols served up at almost every turn. Listening to Neil’s selection of 25 Christmas hymns is, however, tantamount to doing oneself a good Christmas deed.
William Neil’s masterly command of the magnificent forces at his disposal, his sense of timing, choice of tempi and sound colors are a joy to listen to.
The organ connoisseur is well served in the CD booklet with a detailed listing of the John Jay Hopkins Memorial Organ op. 1456’s instrumental organ stops.
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Wiebke Kuester
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