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A Grand Entertainment
Since the first organized Christmas celebration drew visitors to Colonial Williamsburg in 1936, nothing quite matches the beauty, imagination, excitement, pageantry, sights, smells, sounds, and grandeur of the Christmas season in Colonial Williamsburg. Newly released, "A Grand Entertainment" brings the magic sounds of Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg to life. From the refined notes of classic pieces played on period instruments to the rich voices raised in songs remembered from Christmases long ago, and the frivolity of a tavern balladeer, listeners are carried away to a season of Grand Entertainment in Colonial Williamsburg.
ENCORE! Music from the 18th-Century Theatre
Music from the 18th-century Theatre is performed by Colonial Williamsburg singers and by musicians on period instruments.
Music from the 18th-century Theatre is performed by Colonial Williamsburg singers and by musicians on period instruments. The selections are from operas and plays known to have been performed in the theatre in Williamsburg in the 18th century. CD extras include a documentary "Williamsburg, the Birthplace of American Theatre," an interactive floor plan of early theatres, lyrics, playbills, and period images. #1257963 CD $17.95
4th of July Concert: The Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg
Lively dance tunes and spirited medleys are heard on the "The Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg 4th of July Concert."
Lively dance tunes and spirited medleys are heard on the "The Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg 4th of July Concert." Performed live on Market Square July 4, 2005, the music also includes a salute to each of the 13 original colonies and concludes with "The Star Spangled Banner" and the sound of fireworks. $12.95
From Ear to Ear: The Passage of African Music through American Slavery
In all things African, there is music. It is the essence of life from the secular to the sacred.
Powerful and distinctive, improvisational and intricate, the music of Africa calls forth the spirits of the ancestors who greeted the birth of a child and the fruits of the harvest with the sounds of music and song. In all things African, there is music. It is the essence of life from the secular to the sacred. $17.95
Mapping Colonial America - Interactive CD
Explore maps from Colonial Williamsburg's collection in this interactive CD ROM.
Explore maps from Colonial Williamsburg's collection in this interactive CD ROM. The maps, dated from 1587 to 1782, provide an intimate look at the struggles and ambitions of America's colonists. The exhibition features a zooming tool that allows a close look at map details, a surveying video, and a side-by-side comparison to a modern map of the same area.
The World Turned Upside Down
Inspiration for selections performed on this new CD from Colonial Williamsburg came from a collection of fife and drum music played at the Battle of Yorktown - the final battle of the American Revolutionary War.
Inspiration for selections performed on this new CD from Colonial Williamsburg came from a collection of fife and drum music played at the Battle of Yorktown - the final battle of the American Revolutionary War. Today, the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg carry forward the tradition of military music heard on the battlefields of Yorktown. Legend has it that the British played a tune called "The World Turned Upside Down" the day they surrendered. Although historians find no record of the tune being played that day, they do know many pieces that were, and the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg perform selections from the battlefield on this CD. Also included is a short video clip of the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg at work.
Stories Under African Skies: Stories in the African-American Tradition
Stories of uprooted Africans and some of their music. "Roots" author Alex Haley introduces the program. Available in CD or Cassette.
Stories and music were essential to African culture, and to the African-American culture forcibly transplanted into the New World. This recording brings together the stories of these uprooted Africans, and some of their music. "Roots" author, Alex Haley, introduces the program. Available in CD or Cassette.
Listen to clips from this recording:
Mussa (3:13)
The Healing of the Blindman (3:25)
Keys of the Palace
Colonial Williamsburg's Michael Monaco performs Peter Pelham's repertoire of 18th century music on the period keyboard instruments of the Governor's Palace.
Williamsburg's chief musician for more than fifty years was Peter Pelham. He worked in theaters, churches, concert halls and in the chambers of the Colonial gentry, and he often performed for the Royal Governor's at the Governor's Palace. In this recording, Colonial Williamsburg's Michael Monaco performs Peter Pelham's repertoire of 18th century music on the period keyboard instruments of the Governor's Palace.
A Numerous and Brilliant Assembly: A Colonial Williamsburg Musical Sampler
Selected performances from nine of Colonial Williamsburg's recordings, including fife and drum marches, chamber music, slave chants, and tavern songs.
Selected performances from nine of Colonial Williamsburg's recordings provide the listener with a sampler of eighteenth-century music ranging from thrilling fife and drum marches, to the chamber music enjoyed by Thomas Jefferson, from chants used by slaves working in the field, to the music enjoyed by common folks in Williamsburg's taverns.
In Freedom We're Born: Songs from the American Revolution
New lyrics set to familiar (or some not so familiar) English melodies, recorded using eighteenth-century instrumentation to recreate the ambience of a small tavern or public meeting place.
Music is often an important chronicler of history, especially in times of war. The music of the American Revolution, however, has been largely ignored and neglected simply because the words and music were often not published together. Essentially the compositions recorded here were new lyrics set to familiar (or some not so familiar) English melodies. This recording uses eighteenth-century instrumentation, and was recorded to recreate the ambience of a small tavern or public meeting place.
Echoes of Revolution
Another fine collection of military and marching music performed by the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg.
Another fine collection of military and marching music performed by the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg. Hear tunes that inspired the courage of our patriots or comforted them around their fires at night.
Marching Out of Time
Exhilarating fife and drum music that marked the routine of military troops during the 18th century and sent the patriots marching into battle.
Music performed by the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg. Tap your toes to the exhilarating martial music that marked the routine of military troops during the 18th century and sent the patriots marching into battle.
Instrumental Music from the Colonial Williamsburg Collection
On this recording of period music, the Cross Violin, Kirckman Harpsichord, Keene Spinet, Broadwood Pianoforte and three flutes are played just as they were 200 years ago.
Imagine the scenes these instruments have seen, the people who have played them and the long-forgotten songs those people played. On this recording of period music, the Cross Violin, Kirckman Harpsichord, Keene Spinet, Broadwood Pianoforte and three flutes are played just as they were 200 years ago.
Songs for a Williamsburg Christmas
Carols, motets, hymns, songs, and madrigals reflect the enthusiastic joy and high spirits of Yuletide celebrations in Williamsburg.
Carols, motets, hymns, songs, and madrigals reflect the enthusiastic joy and high spirits of Yuletide celebrations in Williamsburg. "Away in a Manager," Sweelinck's "Hodie Christus Natus Est," "Coventry Carol," and "Good King Wenceslas" are among the varied program on this recording.
