Tranquillo - Christmas

Published Wednesday 15th December 2010
Tranquillo - Christmas
Tranquillo - Christmas

STYLE: MOR / Soft Pop
RATING 5 5 5 5 5
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 102153-17269
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

Tranquillo are a duo from Aberdare featuring Sarah Waycott on flute and Hannah Mitchell on piano. Rebecca Faith Mitchell, Hannah's sister, is credited with the arrangements. This album is useful as background music to creative festive atmosphere, but I'm not convinced people will want to sit and listen to it. The performers are accomplished, and the album is produced to a high standard, but the range of the instruments is too narrow for 'Christmas' to hold the listener. Next time Tranquillo might get some of their musical friends to contribute to a fuller sound. Christmas albums are tricky - you have to be faithful to tradition yet also provide something new. There's one attractive new tune here, "Seren Y Nos (Star Of The Night)", though being an instrumental it's hard to see what connects it with Christmas. I'm not really keen on the way they have played around with favourites "Silent Night" and "Away In A Manger" - the approach has an improvisational, experimental feel, but the charm of these songs is their simplicity - you mess with these at your peril!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by James in Wales @ 21:53 on Dec 16 2010

I disagree with the review. The composer has done impressive arrangements on these familiar carols with varying styles from classical to jazz. These arrangements have been purposefully written for the duo Tranquillo, meaning that its written only for flute and piano. The two musicians play with much feeling. The arrangements are musically intellectual and the cd is easy to listen to. This album is perfect for Christmas.



Posted by Paul in Midlands UK @ 13:31 on Dec 15 2010

This review goes against the grain of other reviews of this album. The British Flute Journal said "These works are played elegantly and with genuine affection". I have to agree, these two girls are fine players who have worked and crafted an album of Christmas tunes using their skill and talent.



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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