Winter Symphony

This album just fills your heart with the christmas spirit. It is beautiful adn brings tears to my eyes in a good way. Thank you so much for this amazing talent!

This is an incredible album. My favorite song is Carol of the Bells but that is pretty unfair to say as all the other songs come in a close second. I gifted this album to my mom and mother in law and they love it!! Jennifer's work is amazing.

Winter Symphony needs a stage with actors to play out the parts of this engrossing musical story. I would not be surprised to see it all come to life on a stage or on the screen someday soon. If that does not happen I will surprised. There is so much going on in this music, it makes you feel alive and grateful for life and all there is to enjoy. The power of music proves once again that it can heal and change an attitude within minutes. The spirit of humanity and the holidays are alive and breathing in this music, do not miss it! Keith Hannaleck

Jennifer is able to awaken something in you that is lying dormant. She is the catalyst to opening up your heart and mind and find peace within.

Holiday albums come in a wide range of styles from heartfelt solo piano recordings to more elaborate productions. However, “Winter Symphony” by pianist, violinist, and composer Jennifer Thomas is practically off the charts in terms of the magnitude of its production. Incorporating a large number of musicians from 3 orchestras, a full choir, as well as art and production staff, the credits alone take up two full pages in the 15-page color booklet that accompanies the album. “Winter Symphony“ is Jennifer’s fourth album and encompasses 12 tracks, which are a blend of traditional Christmas songs as well as a number of her original compositions. The album lifts off in heavenly fashion with “Angels We Have Heard On High.” Eschewing any traces of subtlety or understatement this rendition can best be described as “epic.” The symphonic majesty and vocal grandeur of the choir combine to create a monumental accompaniment for Jennifer’s elegant and uplifting piano playing on this much beloved Christmas classic. From there we move to a more secular, yet no less traditional holiday song, “Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy” from “The Nutcracker Suite” by Tchaikovsky. I appreciated that the piano stands out more in this mix and captures the magic that this song evokes, as well as spotlighting Jennifer’s impressive skills as a classical pianist. Vocals take center stage on an original composition entitled “Alleluia.” Along with the Ensign Chorus, the featured soloist is Felicia Farerre, whose soaring soprano voice elevates this deeply spiritual hymn to an even loftier level. If you think you’ve heard the much beloved “Silent Night” before, you’ve never heard it quite like the interpretation of it on “Winter Symphony.” Following the delicate introduction, the piece remains instrumental until midway, when the choir swells in and raises the roof, so to speak. While I have used words like “epic” and “grand” in describing the music on “Winter Symphony,” it is difficult to adequately portray in writing the majestic quality of this recording. In addition to her formidable instrumental talents on piano and violin, I was greatly impressed with Jennifer’s skills as an arranger, which with a production of this magnitude is worthy of my utmost respect. Jennifer Thomas has brought together a dream team to breathe life into her vision for this album. “Winter Symphony” is more than a compilation of songs. It is a musical experience imbued with the true spirit of Christmas, and would make a wonderful addition to anyone’s holiday music collection.

Amazing. A joy to listen to.

Jennifer Thomas’ "Winter Symphony" is a dazzling collection of twelve holiday pieces, two of which are original compositions. This is quite possibly the biggest production I’ve ever heard on a contemporary Christmas album with choir, orchestra, live strings, grand piano, and more. All of the music was arranged by Thomas and most of the orchestration was done to perfection by Glen Gabriel (Thomas did some of the orchestration, as did Nathan Allen Pinard). The very impressive package includes a 16-page booklet with all of the production credits and a gallery of photos of Ms Thomas. Thomas’ love of cinematic music is given free reign in these arrangements, many of which have a big, sweeping sound. The selection of music is also inspired and includes traditional carols, a contemporary song, music from two Christmas-themed films, and two original pieces. With the symphonic theme, this album is probably the most classical of Thomas’ recordings, although there is plenty of evidence of this being an album created in the 21st century! "Winter Symphony" opens with a lovely arrangement of “Angels We Have Heard On High.” It begins with piano and strings, building to include the Ensign Chorus (a full choir from the Seattle area) and the Cochin Chamber Orchestra - an uplifting and dramatic way to start! “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” is a piece from "The Nutcracker" that I dearly love. Beginning with piano and strings, it again builds to a very big sound that is both playful and mysterious - probably my favorite track. “Carol of the Bells” is flowing and dramatic, giving the piano a more prominent position amid the full orchestration - a beautiful arrangement of another favorite! “Alleluia” is the first of the original pieces and features soprano Felicia Farerre and the Ensign Chorus as well as the full orchestra. Elegant and stirring, this could become a new classic. One of my own holiday traditions is to watch "Edward Scissorhands" for the umpteenth time, and Thomas’ arrangement of “Ice Dance” from that movie makes me want to do that sooner than later! Hauntingly beautiful and icy cold, it’s another favorite! “I Saw Three Ships” goes in an entirely different direction with lots of drums, piano, and Thomas playing the violin (to name only a few of the participants!). Lively and jubilant, this is a fun piece and a real toe-tapper. The “Theme From Home Alone” includes the soulful “Somewhere In My Memory” as well as some of the more playful instrumental music - another great arrangement and orchestration! “What Child Is This” is a gorgeous and somewhat smaller production that features both Taylor Davis and Thomas on violin. Piano and orchestral touches add to the poignant quality of this beautiful piece. The title track is the other original. Fully orchestrated, it’s lively and lighthearted yet powerful and very dramatic. Piano, choir, and the full orchestra pack a whallop, creating and yet another favorite. “O Holy Night” closes this excellent album with a peaceful and soothing version of this emotional carol. Jennifer Thomas has created what is likely to become a Christmas classic with "Winter Symphony." Sure to become a favorite that you can enjoy for many years to come! Very highly recommended!

A Masterpiece! Enchanting! A must have.

Jennifer Thomas has taken some very well known Christmas songs that have become redundant and obnoxious and and made them new and breathtaking! The arrangements are complex and beautiful, and so dimensional that even after listening to the album several times in a row, it still hasn't gotten old. Also, the sound quality of this album absolutely blew me away; it really is in a class all its own. So impressive, it's worth mentioning in a review...

An absolutely beautiful album. She has incredible talent and dedication!