Christmas music for peace & quiet

The breakneck pace of the past few weeks is winding down. The coming days will provide us with a measure of peace and quiet before erupting into a massive explosion on New Year’s Eve. Let us all enjoy these moments and contemplate the opportunities that the heavens have once more provided to enable us to strive for all that is best.

There also remains just one more week for us to enjoy the music of Christmas, the songs that symbolize the arrival of the Light into a world rendered dark by sin and apathy. While the message of peace on earth and goodwill towards men remains the same, it is a fact that Christmas music has already undergone various incarnations and is set for many more changes in the coming years. Joyful, frivolous, prayerful, it can now be anything you want.

There is nothing though that can compare to the mold created by the carol Silent Night many years ago. Such is how we desire this world should be, a place of heavenly peace. This remains a far-off dream but there is no reason not to aspire for it and to hope that this will become reality not just during Christmastime but every day of the year.

Silent Night is one of the cuts included in The Sounds of Christmas, an album of carols and hymns by the Kabayao Family Quintet. This is the version I will be playing these next few days because it is one that truly lives up to the description of heavenly. Think four violins and a piano wielded by five fine artists playing this timeless song and you will have an idea of what I mean. It makes you want to cry. It makes you want to pray. It makes you believe in the goodness of man. Who wouldn’t when beauty like this is made possible.

The Kabayao Family Quintet is made up of the internationally-renowned violin virtuoso Gilopez Kabayao, his wife, the also famous pianist Corazon Pineda and their three talented children, NAMCYA winning daughters Sicilienne and Farida and son Gilberto. The names of Gilopez and Corazon Kabayao instantly bring to mind memorable concert performances. While the artistry remains impeccable, the album is certainly lighter stuff. Just beautiful, uplifting music for Christmas that I am glad they decided to record.

Aside from Silent Night, the album also includes Sounds of His Love, Let Us Adore Him, Glorias of Christmas, Beautiful Redeemer, Jesus, He Shall be Great, Hark, the Herald, O Holy Night and Joy to the World, all arranged expressly for the interesting and I must say unusual mix of four violins and a piano.

The Kabayao Family Quintet has also recorded Harana Filipina, a collection of well-loved native melodies. These are Sampaguita, Pahaluka Ko Day, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Pandanggo, Pakiusap, Philippine Lovers Heart Song, Hatinggabi, Habanera No. 2, Bayan Ko and Nais Ko.

I am not sure if these CDs are available in regular music outlets but those interested in these plus other recordings by the Kabayaos can go to yahoo.com corkabayao@yahoo.com for inquiries.

Top 25 albums

As the year nears its end, here is something that might give you some ideas while shopping for last-minute gifts. The Top 25 selling albums at Tower Records and Music One are Ultraelectromagnetic Jam, the music of the Eraserheads performed by Various Artists; Pasko by the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra; Chillout Project: House Sessions 3, the third volume of the popular series created by Anton Ramos and performed by Various Artists; Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson; Confessions on a Dance Floor by Madonna; Strike Whilst the Iron is Hot by Orange and Lemons; Pasko II also by the San Miguel Philharmonic; Completely by Christian Bautista; Monkey Business by The Black Eyed Peas; American Idiot by Green Day;

Dreamsounds 3 by Various Artists: Versions and Beyond by M.Y.M.P.; The Emancipation of Mimi by Mariah Carey; Ancora by Il Divo; The Great American Songbook IV Thanks for the Memories by Rod Stewart; Pinoy Ako by Various Artists; Amarantine, the latest by New Age star Enya; Greatest Hits 2006 by Rivermaya; Embrace by Urbandub; Hale by Hale; Pinoy Big Brother Soundtrack by Various Artists; Moonlight Serenade by Carly Simon; Duets by Regine Velasquez; OPM Superstar Christmas by Various Artists; and Nina Live by Nina.

Have a truly blessed Christmas.