I wo national icons come together as America’s Choir meets Broadway’s leading man in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s new release, Ring Christmas Bells (Mormon Tabernacle Choir®, $18.98).
In this 16-track album, the talents of Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell –one of Broadway’s brightest stars –combine with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, along with a huge bell choir of more than 100 members. The CD is comprised of live recordings from the choir’s 2008 Christmas concert from Temple Square, a musical spectacle that was seen in person by more than 80,000 last year.

In this live recording, Christmas bells animate the opening processional on a theme from “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “I Saw Three Ships,” and the stunning finale, “Angels, from the Realms of Glory.” The jubilant Christmas message shines through in lively carols and holiday favorites including “Sleigh Ride,” “The Christmas Song,” and Handel’s beloved “Hallelujah” chorus.

The Choir’s annual Christmas concerts have become the preeminent U.S. Christmas musical event, bringing world-renowned guest artists together with the 360-voice choir.  Millions more see these performances when broadcast nationwide on PBS each Christmas Eve.

The full concert is also available on DVD, under the same title, which includes actor Edward Herrmann’s (Gilmore Girls) stirring narration of the dramatic story behind Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” A children’s picture book about the story, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, is available now.