A Very Special Christmas

• Release Date: 1994

Review

Recorded to benefit the Special Olympics, this has some of the biggest names in contemporary music, most covering seasonal favorites with mixed success. Outstanding tracks include The Pretenders "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," with Chrissie Hynde giving a touching performance. Run-D.M.C.'s topical "Christmas in Hollis" relies heavily on sampling "Back Door Santa," and may head you toward the dance floor. Alison Moyet's stately version of "The Coventry Carol" is beautifully haunting. Only the Material Girl, Madonna, embarrasses herself with an overly campy "Santa Baby." ~ Dennis MacDonald, Rovi

Performances

Composer	Title	Time
Henry Doktorski	Capriccio on "Twelve Days of Christmas"	4:50
Charles Gounod	Meditation on Prelude No. 1 of Bach, for violin or cello & piano with organ or cello ad lib. (or other instrumental arrangement)	5:50
Anonymous	Two Part Canon on We Wish You A Merry Christmas	1:48
Johann Michael Bach	In Dulci Jubilo, for organ	3:35
Franz Gruber	Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night)	4:51
Georges Bizet	L' Arlésienne, suite for orchestra No. 2, from the incidental music (arranged by Ernest Guirard) (March Of The Three Kings)	3:32
Carl Mueller	Away in a Manger, berceuse	2:46
Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovych	Carol of the Bells	2:22
Anonymous	Coventry Carol for voice & ensemble	6:17
Henry Doktorski	Minuet: Dance of the Angels	2:06
Anonymous	Suite on Four Polish Carols (Przbiezeli do Betlejem; Lulajze Juzuniu;Dzisiaj w Betlejem;Gdy Sie Chrystus Rodzi)	10:06
Christmas Traditional	What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)	2:55
Henry Doktorski	Gigue: Dance of the Shepherds	1:51
Willard A. Palmer	Sonatina on Three Christmas Carols: O Thou Joyful Day-O Sanctissima/It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Angels We Have Heard on High	7:10
Henry Doktorski	Serenade: Sleep, Baby Jesus	3:32
James Pierpont	The One Horse Open Sleigh: Chorale and Dance on Jingle Bells	3:02
Anonymous	Capriccio on "Twelve Days of Christmas"	4:53

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