Gary Schnitzer,
A Classic Christmas

Label: Violin Romance
Year: 1998

(4 out of 5)

Are your nerves frazzled by the hectic holiday season? Dallas violinist Gary Schnitzer has just the tonic you need to unwind and de-stress.

A Classic Christmas lives up to the title's promise. Thirteen holiday-themed arrangements for violin, guitar, and other strings feature a mellow, leisurely pace ideal for quiet evenings at home or as background music for holiday parties.

It's hard to single out favorites among instrumental recordings. That said, "Ave Maria" seems imbued with extra passion. Similarly, the ensemble approach to "Silent Night" comprises an original, reverential rendition of this traditional carol.

A Classic Christmas presents secular favorites as well—"I'll Be Home for Christmas," "The Christmas Song," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"—yet the bulk is focused on the sacred instead.

Mr. Schnitzer, formerly of the Fort Worth Symphony and other regional orchestras, specializes in a self-described "synthesis of classical, swing, jazz, and simply romantic pop music."

With a roaring fire and a glass of wine, on a quiet evening or among friends and family, A Classic Christmas provides the perfect holiday mood music.

Buy: Amazon

December 7, 2004