Christmas Day Elem Eley

• Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947):
• 1Hebrides Lullaby (Performed by Baritone & Choir)06:45
• Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934):
• 23 Hymns for the English Hymnal, H. 73: No. 1, In the Bleak Midwinter (Arr. T. Shelton)05:28
• Pietro Yon (1886 - 1943):
• 3Gesù bambino (Arr. for Baritone, Violin & Piano)04:34
• Tom Shelton (b. 1966):
• 4O Jesulein zart (Arr. for Baritone, Soprano, Choir & Piano)03:43
• Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976):
• 5The Birds (Arr. for Voice & Harp)01:48
• Alfred Burt (1920 - 1954):
• 6Caroling, Caroling (Arr. for Voice & Harp)01:46
• Peter Cornelius (1824 - 1874):
• 7Christmas Carols, Op. 8 (Excerpts): No. 1, The Christmas Tree02:07
• 8Christmas Carols, Op. 8 (Excerpts): No. 3. The Kings02:32
• Adolphe Adam (1803 - 1856):
• 9O Holy Night (Arr. for Voice & Organ)06:23
• Tom Shelton:
• 10Christmastide (Arr. for Baritone, Choir & Piano)04:04
• Alfred Burt:
• 11Some Children See Him (Arr. for Voice & Organ)03:30
• Johnny Marks (1909 - 1985):
• 12I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Arr. for Voice & Organ)01:50
• Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877 - 1933):
• 133 Geistliche Gesänge, Op. 66: No. 3, Ich steh an deiner Krippe hier (Version for Baritone, Violin & Piano) [Sung in English]03:30
• Eric Thiman (1900 - 1975):
• 14The Carol of the Birds (Arr. for Voice & Piano)02:50
• William Neidlinger (1863 - 1924):
• 15The Birthday of a King02:15
• Traditional:
• 16The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy (Arr. H. Evans for Voice & Piano)02:55
• Robert MacGimsey (1898 - 1979):
• 17Sweet Little Jesus Boy (Arr. for Voice & Harp)04:08
• Walter Afanasieff (b. 1958) & Richard Page (b. 1953):
• 18I Always Cry at Christmas03:38
• Gustav Holst:
• 19Christmas Day, H. 109 (Performed by Baritone, Choir & Orchestra)06:46
• Franz Xaver Gruber (1787 - 1863):
• 20Silent Night (Arr. T. Shelton for Baritone, Choir & Piano)03:25
• Total Runtime01:13:57

Info for Christmas Day

Baritone Elem Eley describes this very personal album in this way: "Some of the most magical moments of my childhood were the eager tearing-away of the plastic wrap from the annual Christmas album, just purchased from the Firestone dealer in our little hometown! It was through these “Stereophonic LP” albums (devotedly and regularly brought home by my father) that I was introduced to much of the classic holiday repertoire, both sacred and secular. Burl Ives, Robert Goulet, Leontyne Price, The Brothers Four, Mahalia Jackson, Isaac Stern, of course, the New York Philharmonic, Mitch Miller and his chorus -- these artists, plus many others, each year brought us much other-worldliness of the holiday season -- often with an entertaining this-worldliness of musical style! Christmas Day is not consciously modeled after the Great Songs of Christmas serials, but the comparison is inescapable. We hope that this album may provide a measure of nostalgia, “Christmas magic,” and inspiring reflection on the true meaning of the season. My own voice is complemented here by a host of outstanding artists -- adult and children’s choirs, orchestra, and brilliant instrumentalists. We offer you beloved carols, some composed or newly-arranged especially for this project. Join us on our journey to the cradle."

Elem Eley, baritone

Elem Eley
In addition to his appointment as Professor of Voice at Westminster Choir College, baritone Elem Eley enjoys a remarkably varied career—from opera, oratorio and recital to premières of contemporary vocal music. The new CD, Forever Sing, is to be released in May 2017 on the Affetto label, distributed by Naxos. In addition, he appears on five other recent recordings, two of them released by Albany Records—including a solo album (with pianist, JJ Penna), Drifts and Shadows: American Song for the New Millennium. A review appearing in Journal of Singing declares, “No matter what technical and expressive hurdles these songs present, Eley surmounts them with conviction and assurance...What they [Eley and Penna] achieve here is truly profound." The CD featuring Lieder of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf and Frank Martin, was released on Centaur Records, entitled Der Geist spricht/The Spirit Speaks. Critic Phil Muse (Audio Visual Club of Atlanta) praises the duo: "To put across a dire-foreboding program such as this requires the utmost in intelligence and interpretive insight. Elem Eley and JJ Penna possess both, plus the technical powers to do justice to awesome settings of awesome literary texts." Lenoriana (Affetto Recordings), is reviewed in the Journal of Singing: "This generous disk is yet another memorable collaboration between baritone Elem Eley and pianist J.J. Penna...[Eley's] essential tone remains exceptionally handsome and his artistry is as eloquent as ever. What is most impressive of all is the flawless sense of ensemble between these two musicians as they confront the plethora of challenges posed by these works."

Mr. Eley has performed in leading venues, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, as well as with regional orchestras and presenting groups throughout the country. Mr. Eley sang the title role of Don Giovanni for his debut at the Operafestival di Roma and appeared in productions with the opera companies of Cincinnati, Hawaii, Shreveport and Syracuse, Athena Grand Opera, the Sylvan Opera Festival, the Center for Contemporary Opera and Musica Europa 2001 (Spain and Portugal).

In Vienna, Mr. Eley sang Wolf’s Italienisches Liederbuch (with soprano Faith Esham and Penna) in a 2011 recital at the Schubert Geburtshaus. He has coached extensively there with Walter Moore and Norman Shetler (also with Robert Holl and Carolyn Hague), and directs the summer vocal program, Vienna: Language of Lieder.

Recent seasons featured a return to Avery Fisher Hall, in Messiah with the Peniel Concert Choir and the Pennsylvania Sinfonia, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Carmina Burana with the Springfield (MO) Symphony, plus recitals and master classes for the Art Song Preservation Society of New York, and at Indiana University, LaGrange College, Columbus State University and Berry College. Winner of the 1996 Joy in Singing Award, Elem Eley completed coursework for the D.Mus. degree at Indiana University, where he studied with Margaret Harshaw.

Booklet for Christmas Day