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It's Christmas time, and envisioning lots of Christmas parties with music for background purposes, here's the five-tock entry. Also, for guitar aficionados, stop the Google search for the Andres Segovia Christmas Album. It doesn't exist. Here's the ticket, as Douglas Niedt has studied at the Juilliard School, as well as Segovia Master Classes, among many background studies that certainly lead to the culmination of In Heavenly Peace.

This solo guitarist's name is pronounced "neet"--or "neat"--which certainly suits perhaps the most beautiful classical guitar performances of Christmas songs assembled in one package. Entries include two versions of "In the Bleak Midwinter," "Silent Night," an upbeat version of "Sleigh Ride," "Greensleeves" ("What Child is This"), and "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring." All performances are incredibly well performed, as this project has been a labor of love for Niedt.

Almost as sweet as the recordings (it stands, performance-wise, in the same realm as Phil Keaggy, sans orchestra) in and of themselves is Niedt's extensive liner notes of "The Stories Behind the Carols" from "Silent Night" through the second rendition of "In the Bleak Midwinter." All are enjoyable. Anyone who sings in choirs or is a fan of Christmas music will drink in these notes and share Niedt's obvious heartfelt embracing of the music of Christmas.

The bottom line for Niedt's In Heavenly Peace is that this CD is a must-have for anyone who loves classical guitar. These performances are absolutely beautiful and nicely recorded. The only detraction from this recording is that Niedt didn't include enough surprising moments (loud pops and breaks, as in "Joy to the World") that keep this project, as a whole, from being subjected to December background music. Overall, In Heavenly Peace is very satisfying aand a compliment to a most beautiful season of the year.

Olin Jenkins    November 28, 2004