A Family Christmas is an ideal album for listeners looking for big, lush arrangements of traditional Christmas music, along with a few less familiar pop and classical pieces. Among the best-known pieces are The Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, Sleigh Ride, and The Twelve Days of Christmas, and there's a medley of carols. There are some classical pieces not specifically Christmas-themed, but that suit the holiday mood, such as March of the Toys from Babes in Toyland, "Sandman's Song" and "Evening Prayer" from Hänsel und Gretel,
Franck's Panis Angelicus, and
Waldteufel's Skaters' Waltz. Classical pieces that may be less familiar to wide audiences are a lovely arrangement of a chant, Personent Hodie, and a movement from
Britten's Ceremony of Carols, both accompanied by harp. There are several contemporary carols,
Bob Chilcott's Hey! Now,
John Williams' Somewhere in My Memory, and
Daniel Harrison's Christmas Hope. Christmas Alphabet and The Penguin Song are fun children's songs. The
Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the orchestra's
Junior Chorus deliver performances that are spirited, stylish, and polished. The
Junior Chorus sings on about half of the tracks. They are obviously a top-notch children's choir, with a bright, warm sound. The soloists are all very fine. The members of the
Royal Scottish National Orchestra throw themselves wholeheartedly into the music, offering genuinely distinguished performances.
Christopher Bell conducts with relish. The sound of Signum's CD is full, warm, and nicely ambient.