Windham Hill Christmas

The music of Windham Hill has always been a favorite of the Christmas season, from George Winston’s December, released originally in 1982, as well as the popular and best-selling series A Winter’s Solstice and Celtic Christmas.

A WINDHAM HILL CHRISTMAS brings together the original Windham Hill roster of artists, including guitarists Will Ackerman and Alex de Grassi; pianists Liz Story and George Winston; Montreux members Barbara Higbie and Michael Manring; and the Celtic band Nightnoise. (Sadly, Chuck Greenberg of Shadowfax and Michael Hedges have passed away.) Current artists on the label are also represented by pianist Jim Brickman, guitarist W.G. Snuffy Walden, and keyboardist Paul Schwartz. These artists, along with Tim Story, Steve Erquiaga, Tracy Silverman and Thea Suits, Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning and John Fitzpatrickall of whom have recorded for Windham Hill – together have created a beautiful and memorable A WINDHAM HILL CHRISTMAS.

Three solo piano pieces appear on the album. George Winston pays homage to the late jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi with his solo interpretation of the song, “Christmas is Coming,” from the first Peanuts animation, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Usually known for his electronic/ambient recordings (Earthbound, Aria, State of Grace), keyboardist Paul Schwartz chose a very different musical path -- a haunting solo piano arrangement of the lovely “Lo How a Rose,” and pianist Liz Story has magically transformed the popular carol “Deck the Halls” from its original 4/4 meter into a lilting waltz.

Another transformation of meter is heard in “Silent Night” with violinist Tracy Silverman (formerly with Turtle Island String Quartet) creating a 6/8 background feel under the floating flute melody of Thea Suits. Together with Tracy’s counter-melody on the violin, they have enhanced the simple song into a musical tapestry.

Creating an entire wind section by himself, Oregon member Paul McCandless plays oboe and English horn along with Robert Ward on French horn to bring a classical chamber ensemble sound to the medieval carol, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel."

Celtic music has always been a part of the Windham Hill sound as well. On “The Holly and the Ivy,” Celtic band Nightnoise blends together Celtic flute, guitar, piano and violin. Multi-talented Barbara Higbie also performs on the piano, Celtic harp, violin and synthesizer to create her Celtic folk-based arrangement of “In Dulci Jubilo."

The Windham Hill collection could be complete without its original instrument, the guitar. Windham Hill founder Will Ackerman joined together with his friend and colleague, guitarist and arranger David Cullen to perform a lesser-known but beautiful carol “What Strangers Are These.” Emmy-award winner W.G. Snuffy Walden (composer for “West Wing,” “thirtysomething,” “The Wonder Years,” etc.) has combined his signature bluesy steel-string guitar sound with classical cellist Andrew Shulman (Los Angeles Philharmonic) guitarist George Doering, and a lush underscore by Bennett Salvay and Snuffy on “The First Noel.” Nylon-string guitarist Steve Erquiaga created his signature-layered guitar sound on the jazzy and spirited “Angels We Have Heard on High.” And one of the world’s top fingerstyle, steel-string acoustic guitarists, Alex de Grassi, brings his trademark technique on his arrangement of a medley of “Christ the Apple Tree” and “Once in Royal David’s City."

Windham Hill has strove to offer an alternative to the typical commercialism of Christmas music. And, with the inclusion of these popular carols, this collection continues to embrace the original acoustic sound and simple spirit of Christmas.