On the surface, this may seem to be an ordinary German Christmas album. If you look and listen a little deeper, you just might find some surprises. There are abundant copies of this album anywhere you look. eBay probably has a few copies listed for auction as you read this.
But... some album covers have some suspicious red writing directly under the words "Christmas on the Rhine".
These words read: "Mixed Chorus and Orchestra under direction of Werner Müller" That explains why this album is a cut above the rest.
When you heard the words "German Christmas record", visions of oompah bands and overbearing Teutonic singers straight out of a Wagner opera might have filled your head. Not this album.
This is a well-orchestrated, well-arranged, and well sung album. Many of the standards are covered ("O Tannenbaum", "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht") but there are a few gems that standout from the rest. "Leise Rieselt Der Schnee (The Snow Falls Quietly)" can be put alongside anything put out by Fred Waring.
"Am Weihnachtsbaum (By The Christmas Tree)" is lush and lovely - a perfect Christmas song. "Kling Glockchen (Ring, Little Bell)" is by far the winner. This song is bouncy, very catchy, and all the elements of the album are capsulated in this track. This is the one you'll remember!
Nehmen Sie hören sich (take a listen for yourself):
O Tannenbaum: Christmas On The Rhine
Happy listening...
Capt
