A Christmas Celebration[DVD]

The choir is still there. Máiréad is still there with her magic fiddle. But Hayley Westenra has disappeared. We miss her voice and her smile.The Celtic Woman group is back to the original five girls: four vocalists (Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Lisa Kelly and Méav Ní Mhaolchatha) and a wonderful creature, fallen from heaven for our outmost felicity. I wrote in my review of their "New Journey" (Amazon, February 4, 2007) that if Paradise exists, I picture it full of angels like Máiréad Nesbitt playing harp or violin!Those who, like me, watch their second concert several times a year, will think that this third DVD is not quite as great as "A New Journey". But how better can you get after you have reached perfection?This is nevertheless a very good show focused entirely on the Christmas spirit.Not as spinning as in the two previous shows, Máiréad plays her violin with a graver posture, in accordance with the subject of this show, which is entirely staged indoors, just like the first one.As in their previous shows, and unlike André Rieu's endless (and sometimes exasperating) talking between numbers, there is no wasted time here. This is a real concert and not a family party with Uncle Archibald and his musical group! The public is still applauding that the next number is already rolling. The whole concert is thus a mere one hour and five minutes. Maybe these folks were in a hurry for the Christmas supper! This reminds me of a funny story called "Les Trois Messes Basses" written by Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) in "Lettres de mon Moulin": a gluttonous priest is in such a hurry to eat that he expedites his Christmas mass... With Rieu's DVDs you pay cheaper for the minute, since they are always longer...Now, don't get me wrong: I love André Rieu's concerts and I have already purchased eight of his DVDs from Amazon, even those taking place in Holland like "The Homecoming", "The Flying Dutchman" and "Rieu in Wonderland" (a real wonder this last one!) But it's a fact that he exasperates me with his endless talks in a language that I don't understand! However, the performance of his band and, most specially, of his three usual sopranos (Carmen, Carla and Suzan) is always outstanding. In fact, I am writing a review for his wonderful concert in New York that I expect to finish very soon.This Christmas show opens like the previous ones with the presentation of the five girls and David Downes, the director; then Máiréad steps in playing her violin, soon joined by the four other girls in a beautiful interpretation of the "Carol of the Bells", a traditional song arranged by David Downes. It is followed by Máiréad with her fiddle and Méav, who sings "Silent Night"."White Christmas" is song number three, interpreted by Chloë, Lisa and Méav as soloists before joining their beautiful voices at the end, and David Downes at the piano."Away in a Manger" ("little Lord Jesus"), song number four, is another traditional composition arranged by David Downes and sung by Órla. Since I used to scratch a guitar when I was fifteen (many, many moons ago!) and make some noise with it, I appreciated several passages enhancing Des Moore's guitar.All five girls join their talents for the fifth number: "Ding Dong Merrily on High" and Máiréad can't help some discrete jumping here.The Acontas Choral Ensemble starts the following song: "The Little Drummer Boy" in a Gregorian Chant style, followed by Órla and later by Chloë, with Nicky Baily, one of the usual percussionists, playing the drum. We also see interesting evolutions of the choir as they sing.The seventh number is interpreted by Lisa alone, with David at his piano: "The Christmas Song" that Nat King Cole used to sing so well.This is followed by "In the Bleak Midwinter", a languorous musical interpreted by Máiréad. Violin lovers will appreciate her mastery of this instrument."The First Noel", song number nine, follows immediately while Máiréad is still playing, which impedes any applauding. All four girls succeed to one another as soloists before they join their voices to the choir in a crescendo movement, then the song ends softly, as it started. A great moment, full of emotion!Méav starts the following number: "The Wexford Carol" with the choir jumping in later on."Christmas Pipes" is the eleventh number. All five girls come together again with the choir for this beautiful song, richly orchestrated, with plenty of bells and the usual percussionists: Ray Fean and Nicky Bailey. Máiréad soon arrives with her fiddle. As usual, all girls evolve on stage as same as the choir. A second, bigger choir is seen in the background at the end.All the girls stay together for "O Holy Night", that they sing as soloists at the beginning before joining their harmonious and beautiful voices with Máiréad soon stepping in. Nice passages enhancing Des Moore's guitar again. Another great moment in this concert!"Panis Angelicus" is interpreted by Chloë with a string ensemble. Beautiful segments with the cello and the guitar."Green the Whole Year Round", song number 14, is a soft melody with David at the piano and Lisa as a soloist most of the time with a discrete choir in the background from time to time.All the girls return on stage for "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" that Chloë starts alone, soon joined by the others in an "a cappella" interpretation of this traditional song most of the time, with the exception of sporadic moments when Máiréad plays a few notes on her violin.This is followed by "Don Oíche Úd I Mbeithil" with Orla playing harp, David at the piano and Máiréad with her fiddle. Méav and Chloë sing as soloists before forming a duo for this languorous melody.All five girls come together for the traditional "O Come All Ye Faithful". The choir soon arrives and the song goes crescendo to culminate with the arrival of the second choir.After a well deserved standing ovation when David Downes joins the five girls, they will close the show with a last song: "Let It Snow", enhanced by a dozen of trumpets and wind instruments while artificial snow falls down.The title role scrolls while the band plays and the choir sings "Christmas" under a well deserved standing ovation.A usfelul booklet containing the text of these songs is joined to this beautiful DVD but there are no additional goodies like in their masterpiece concert, "A New Journey", which contained some nice views of Ireland. But it's true that it's reasonably priced at under $15 for a DVD, which is the price of a simple CD.Although entirely devoted to Christmas, the message of peace and love that these Christian songs convey should make them accessible to all human beings, no matter what religion they profess.When I was a student in Paris in the 1960s, I often listened to Don McNeil's "Breakfast Club" that was broadcasted by the American Forces Network in France. I remember that every morning he interrupted his show at some point and said these words that I will never forget:"Now a moment of silent prayer, each in his own words, each in his own way; for a free world united in peace, let us bow our heads and pray""EACH IN HIS OWN WORDS, EACH IN HIS OWN WAY"!These words pronounced every morning by Don McNeil symbolize for me the perfect spirit of religious tolerance.

Every time I think there is no way the lovely and talented ladies of CELTIC WOMAN could possibly out-do themselves, they do!! Every time I think there is no way they could top this, they do!! They just keep getting better and better. More beautiful. More lovely, to both the ears AND the eyes. More talented. Even more gifted, if that's somehow possible. I have seen CELTIC WOMAN live in concert numerous times. They are simply amazing! Simply the most gifted, talented performers you could ever hope to see and hear. And yet, they just keep getting better! (For those of you who may be unaware or, not entirely sure ... yes Meav did depart CW. She has decided to spend more time on her own solo [musical] projects as well as more time with her family. Meav is of enormous talent, beauty, grace and class. She is first-rate in every sense of the word and she will be sorely missed as part of one of the most incredibly gifted group of performers/vocalists I have ever encountered. [Meav, we wish you all the best in all you do]. Stepping in is Lynn Hilary who is herself a very beautiful and talented singer. She has worked in Riverdance and in fact her and Lisa [Kelly] have worked together previously. So Lynn is no stranger to this type of music or performance. She is also of pure Irish/Gaelic decent. We welcome Lynn aboard and will see her on the Fall 2007 Tour).This "A Christmas Celebration" DVD is easily, by far, the most beautiful Christmas Concert I have ever seen. This is MUST HAVE!! If you like Christmas Music, you will enjoy this offering. If you like Christmas Music AND are a CELTIC WOMAN fan, you will not believe your ears and your eyes!! I know (first hand) how incredibly talented and beautiful Lisa, Meav, Orla, Chloe and Mairead are and yet, I was positively STUNNED by the beauty of this performance. It is SO far beyond even what I had expected, that I still can't get over this performance. I rec'd my copy the day is was officially released (Tuesday 10/02/2007) and have watched this, twice a day, every day since receiving it. I don't usually start with Christmas Music until Thanksgiving. But I knew there was no way I could last that long, just from knowing how talented these ladies are AND from looking at the beautiful DVD package/cover. I had to play it. I did play it. And now, like so many others, I can't STOP playing it. They are beyond anything you could imagine. I have never, never heard nor seen anything so beautiful in my life! As one other reviewer here said ... "don't walk, RUN to your nearest music store and get this for yourself". The most amazing Christmas Concert you could ever hope to see, performed by five unbelievably beautiful and talented Angels. As a 'bonus', if you will, the Choir and the Orchestra are also in top form. They ALL deserve tons of credit for this performance. This was also a beautifully shot/filmed performance as well. The ladies never looked lovlier and the stage and lighting are also done to perfection.Every, single number is stunningly beautiful but ... Some of the highlights are:"Carol Of The Bells" (opening number)."Little Drummer Boy" (beautifully done by Orla and Chloe and Ray on the snare)."The Wexford Carol" (again, beautifully done by the one and only beautiful Meav)."Christmas Pipes" (is out of this world)!and closing the show is ...a Big Band rendition of "Let It Snow" (that is NOT to be missed)! Enjoy and oh what a Merry Christmas, thanks to CELTIC WOMAN!!

I watched "A Christmas Celebration" several times and think it the best yet. The Girls are in perfect tone and pitch and look as lovely as I have ever seen them! The visual and audio were fantastic! The music was perfectly balanced and the girls sounded wonderful! It was great! There was no downside to the performance. Mairead sounded and looked fantastic even though more subdued than normal. Her rendering of "In the Bleak Mid Winter" was absolutely and wonderfully fantastic! I thought she was great as was the whole group! I did , however, miss Hayley. It did not detract from my opinion of the performance, I just thought she would have made another great contribution. In the song "Little Drummer Boy," I thought the effect and sight of Ray playing an over sized toy snare drum was super. I also liked the girls popping out of the choir - it surprised me very pleasantly. Even though I think Mairead did a great job, I also enthusiastically believe all the girls were great as was the rest of the cast and crew. The Choir was outstanding. The filming,editing and sound is superior. I could name each of the girls and rave about their individual performances all day and into the night.This is the best Music DVD produced by anyone all year and maybe for the next and past few years! ABSOLUTELY THE BEST IN/OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!! I believe it sets the STANDARD for any who choose to follow.If you like or want superior, fantastic, very well done, inspirational Christmas Music, this is the DVD for you!!! You may even want to buy several and give them as quality gifts to good friends and family.Art D.

Outstanding performances performed by incredibly talented, beautiful women supported by equally incredible orchestral & choir performances.Performed are classic favourites together with seasonal Celtic and contemporary numbers.Solo performances are outstanding, but together these women are incredible! My favourites from the DVD are 'Panis Angelicus' and O' Holy Night.

Pretty standard fare for Celtic Woman. I love the show and these lasses were certainly at the front of the queue when talent was handed out! Maybe a few exterior shots, such as used in the DVD 'The Greatest Journey' would have enhanced the visual experience. But other than that, it was a very pleasant experience watching it on Christmas eve, a glass of wine in hand.

I'd never heard of Celtic Woman and I bought this as a replacement for a video my mother-in-law has which was originally recorded in Australia. this girl group of musicians and singers a really magic and the performance is is beautifully produced and presented. A must for any mum or granny.

I live Celtic Woman and it is so difficult to get the DVDs at a decent price in the UK. this is a nice compilation of various concerts and has many of the old favourite songs.

Played this on the weekend for the first time this snowy Sunday while decorating the Christmas tree but unfortunately the dvd got stuck on the third song and would not play anything beyond this. Would like to return this product and get a replacement. My return window has closed. How can I return this defective product.