New York, NY (Top40 Charts) From the review by Bill Parker (Author of Building A Classical Collection): "Jeffrey Reid Baker has given us another amazing experience from what the New York Times called his 'intergalactic music box.' He is a sort of impish musical chameleon, seemingly able to create just about any illusion;. These are more than tricks: they are fascinating statements of 'what might have been'. One might almost think that 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' would have been a better fit than the melody Rachmaninov actually used in his Piano Concerto No. 2! 'Revelations' such as this are what bring smiles to listeners' faces, and we hope you will be among those grinning."
In this age of mash-ups, this is beyond terrific. Clever combinations of Christmas and classical standards that delight and surprise...my favorite, O Holy Night becomes enlarged and dramatic when Wagner is woven in and through it. For something that goes well beyond standard holiday variations on a theme, this is breathtaking, wonderful, and laugh out loud fun."
This wonderful recording deserved so much more publicity and promotion than it had when it was released several years ago. "A Composer's Christmas" is an ingenious program of Christmas carols channeled in the styles of the great composers. One moment, you'll think you're hearing Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and then you realize it's actually the "'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' Concerto for Violin and Orchestra." Other standouts include the "'Deck the Halls' Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra," a clever spinoff of Beethoven's Choral Fantasy; the "'O Holy Night' Prelude" after Wagner's Tannhauser; "O Come All Ye Faithful to the Great Gate" after Mussorgsky; and "O Come Emmanuel Concerto No.2" after Rachmaninov's formidable second piano concerto. All material is intelligently and carefully realized, arranged, and performed by Mr. Baker. Absolutely one of the most unique Christmas collections out there."
This album has sold thousands of copies (retail, online & branded) and downloads. Its selections are regularly broadcast on NPR and other radio stations during the holiday seasons.
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