One Silent Night
Pianist Kurt Bestor'sOne Silent Nightis perhaps as lovely and elegant as holiday recordings get. That's lofty praise, but this is a splendid, endearing package. Better known for more elaborate, orchestrated Christmas productions, Bestor probes straight to the emotional core of the season with his affecting solo piano treatment of 11 traditional carols. His arrangements employ subtle harmonic shifts that can evoke comparisons toLiz Storyat her finest, infusing his interpretations with a peaceful eloquence that is utterly free of schmaltz and sentimental clichés. Other than a botched fingering about two minutes into "Oh Tannenbaum," Bestor performs with grace, intelligence, and quiet power, at times making your heart skip with his phrasing on pieces such as "Ding, Dong Merrily on High" and "Sussex Carole," a small jewel that opens "Olde English Suite."One Silent Nightmerits an audience beyond Bestor's traditional Mormon fan base.--Terry Wood