Cincinnati Pops records holiday tracks in Music Hall

The Christmas bells from this season’s Cincinnati Pops Orchestra performances will soon ring all year long.  

Following a popular tradition of Cincinnati Pops holiday albums, including Christmas with the Pops (1990) and Christmas Time is Here (2006), the Pops (CPO) just recorded “Home for the Holidays” at historic Music Hall on Monday, December 12. Many of the selections the Pops performed at its “Christmas with the Pops” concert over the December 9-11 weekend will be featured in this recording, along with the May Festival Chorus under the direction of Robert Porco, popular tenor Rodrick Dixon and the Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble under the direction of David Bell.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) launched a new recording label in 2010 and soon after released two albums, American Portraits and Baltic Portraits. The label’s name has since been changed to “Fanfare Cincinnati,” in reference to the CSO’s 1940s fanfare project that resulted in Aaron Copland’s Fanfare to the Common Man. “The renaming of the label alludes to that event and shows how the CSO champions world renowned projects and talented composers,” says Meghan Berneking of the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops orchestras. “The new name also helps to include the CPO’s recordings under one label,” and allows the CSO more flexibility to pursue projects with the Pops and other artistic partners.

“Home for the Holidays” will be released locally on the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s recording label in time for the World Choir Games in July.

Do Good:

Look : this summer for the album “Home for the Holidays” as an early Christmas gift.

Consider: Attending various CPO or CSO concerts throughout the year or treat yourself to a yearly subscription.

Support: Cincinnati’s esteemed orchestras. The CPO’s album “Home for the Holidays” was made possible by a generous donation from Anne Heldman.

By Becky Johnson

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