Two releases — a DVD and an audio CD — recorded live during last year's annual Christmas concert of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, are now available for purchase. The concert featured baritone Brian Stokes Mitchell, star of Broadway, television and film, and actor Edward K. Herrmann as narrator.
"Ring Christmas Bells," the audio recording, features 16 tracks from the performances last December, including Mr. Mitchell's performances with the choir and orchestra on "New Words," Maury Yeston's composition reflecting on his young son learning to talk; a jazz arrangement of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," and Tabernacle Choir musical director Mack Wilberg's new arrangement of "The Friendly Beasts."
Also featured are the choir's and orchestra's rendition of such holiday favorites as "Sleigh Ride," "The Christmas Song," and Handel's "Hallelujah" chorus.
The DVD, also titled "Ring Christmas Bells," features the full concert as broadcast on PBS and includes Mr. Herrmann's narration of the story behind Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." A children's picture book about the story, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, will be on sale this month.
The products, released under the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's label, are available from Deseret Book and other outlets for LDS-oriented products.
