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I had heard this album many years ago and fell in love with it but wasn't able to find it again until just recently. This music is a welcome relief for those who have heard "Jingle Bells","Silent Night" etc. just one too many times. My favorite piece is the third noel, entitled "Hoboekentanz/Schafertanz"; it's absolutely magical and, as you listen to it, you feel yourself being drawn far back in time to when this music was first created and played.
I've had this CD since I first saw it in a Signals catalogue. Loved it years ago, still do. Now that I teach music, I play it for my music history class during December. Catch Maggie sometime at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
As a musician, I greatly enjoyed this CD. The use of only acoustic instruments lends atmosphere to the tunes. All tunes are centered around the hammered dulcimer. Because I have grown tired of the synthesized instrumentation on many Christmas albums, this was a welcome change.
imagine a banquet hall in a medieval castle, tapestries on the walls and damsels in the halls, a bowl of wassail and a pig roasting in the huge stone fireplace. What a delightful change from the wonderful but typical Christmas tunes we hear over and over again. This beautiful music takes one back, way back. Well, that's where the music takes my vivid imagination anyway. I love it, beautifully done.
Pure poetry. This album is a must-have for anyone interested in ancient music. This alternative Christmas album offers a fresh feel to the familiar genre with gems like 'The Truth sent from above' and 'In the bleak of midwinter'.
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