CD: Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell and Friends | reviews, news & interviews
CD: Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell and Friends
CD: Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell and Friends
Classical violinist's seasonal crossover disc isn't without its pleasures
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/mast_image_landscape/public/mastimages/jbell2.jpeg?itok=Ui-SnU2e)
There's an impressive guest list on Joshua Bell's Christmas disc. Vocalists include Renée Fleming, Plácido Domingo, Gloria Estefan and Alison Krauss. Cellist Steven Isserlis pops up, along with Chick Corea. Sony would have us believe that this is meant to sound like a spontaneous seasonal shindig held in Bell's Manhattan apartment, though the range of recording venues suggest that many of the performances must have been phoned in.
But, against all expectations, there are some very sweet things here; the successes just about outweigh the stinkers. The instrumental tracks come off best: a lovely take on Jule Styne's Let it Snow has Bell wittily channelling the spirit of Stephane Grapelli. It works a treat, helped by solid guitar work and wheezy accordion. Chick Corea's inventive arrangement of Greensleeves is great fun, as is a smart arrangement of White Christmas played by trumpeter Chris Botti, replete with splendid walking bass. Christmas Confusion feautures violin and piano duo Igudesman & Joo, exuberantly blending the source material.
Elsewhere, things don't go quite so smoothly. O Tannenbaum begins sweetly enough until Plácido Domingo's booming vocal enters at full volume. It's terrifying. Gloria Estefan's eccentric version of Auld Lang Syne starts in alarming fashion, though it does become oddly loveable after shifting gear into latin lounge mode. Renée Fleming's voice is a gorgeous instrument, but her tremulous warbling on I Want an Old-Fashioned Christmas doesn't bear repeated listening. The better vocal numbers include Alison Krauss's sober God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen and an entertaining close-harmony medley of tunes from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. Bell's violin playing throughout can sound a little too busy, as if he's keen to remind us that this is his party. Uneven, but not unenjoyable.
Overleaf: Watch the video for Christmas Confusion
rating
Explore topics
Share this article
Add comment
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more Classical music
![Latonia Moore, Karen Cargill, Ryan Bancroft, SeokJong Baek, Soloman Howard and the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Prom%20Verdi%202.jpg?itok=YZoGmn17)
![Prosperous voyages: Ryan Bancroft and the BBC NOW](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/NOW%20RB3.jpg?itok=3jYyK3BQ)
![Bruce Brubaker plays Brian Eno](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Bruce_Brubaker_6311_Devin_Doyle_web_4f07902055.jpeg?itok=EwxJV_bg)
![Sheku Kanneh-Mason with Marin Alsop and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the 2023 Last Night of the Proms. Kanneh-Mason appears this year with brother Braimah and the Fantasia Orchestra in Proms 20 and 22](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/QkBq2pA4.jpeg?itok=LpEyuXkA)
![Paavo Järvi and players of the Estonian Festival Orchestra turn to greet the balcony audience, including members of the 100-plus Järvi Academy Youth Symphony Orchestra](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Parnu%201.jpeg?itok=nNWJ15Lo)
![Pianist Lucas Debargue plays Fauré](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/debargue-lucas.jpg?itok=DTlf-PkB)
![Cellist Zoë Martlew plays her own G-lude](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/July%2003%2C%202024_SM_NMCBirthdayConcert_Samples%20ZM.jpg?itok=jvirArQw)
![Pekka Kuusisto and members of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra in 'Concert Theatre DSCH'](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/pekka%205.jpeg?itok=QZGBpU_9)
![Fiery intensity: Katrine Sonstadt (on bass) with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Pekka%20Kuusisto%20%26%20Norwegian%20Chamber%20Orchestra-%20DSCH%20Southbank%20Centre%2029-06-24%20Credit-Pete%20Woodhead-13_0.jpg?itok=7SvcYD1F)
![Nardus Williams and Elizabeth Kenny in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, visible to a fortunate few](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/tj6WvCZ7.jpeg?itok=eZE5y4Ln)
![Martin James Bartlett watched with delight by Fantasia Orchestra leader Millie Ashton](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Fantasia%201.jpg?itok=v4fqQDvE)
Comments
I enjoyed reading this
I enjoyed reading this article, i do disagree with your opinion that some of the tracks don't work. From my perception i liked them all. I thought the tracks worked well on the album and that there are no "stinkers". The tracks are really well produced and have the sound of a big studio that has been engineered by a really good producer. i really enjoyed listening to the tracks