Christmas Tidings was first released in 1992 on the Reflection/Intersound Label, a divison of Pro Arte/Intersound, a recording company that was based in Atlanta Georgia. Additional recordings by Pro Arte/Intersound of Catherine Wilson’s Trio Vivant (also known as The Catherine Wilson Trio) include Palm Court Pleasures and Palm Court Encores, as well as Rags to Riches. In 1995, SoundWorks released Christmas Tidings under the name A Season of Lights. In 2008, Opening Day Entertainment Group (ODEG) signed Ensemble Vivant as Opening Day Recording Artists, and repackaged and re-released all of Ensemble Vivant’s back catalogue.

In the Spring of 1992 I received a telephone call from a senior executive at Reflections/Intersound who was excited about having my Piano Trio record a Christmas CD that would feature traditional carols and timeless Christmas melodies. This was indeed a wonderful opportunity! However, the terms were that the recording had to be finished by early July in order to be released fin time for the 1992 Christmas market. This was no small feat, as it was early May and all the repertoire had to be chosen and then arranged for the group, with time to rehearse before recording. I spoke with Rick Wilkins, our arranger and producer, who true to form, undertook this project with passion and intent that we would make the recording deadline. So, in the early steaming hot days of July 1992 we recorded our Christmas Tidings CD at Humbercrest United Church in Toronto.

Joyful tidings of Peace and Good Will are traditionally expressed in the universal language of music. Christmas Tidings is a timeless compilation of glorious carols and cherished Christmas melodies recreated through the ingenious, incomparable arrangements of Rick Wilkins, C. M, and brought to life through the rich, expressive musical artistry of Catherine Wilson, piano; Adele Armin, violin, and Jack Mendelsohn, cello. Some of the most beautiful, inspired arrangements of this music ever written are right here on this recording. A truly unique, beautiful Christmas recording, Christmas Tidings’ immediate popularity has stood the test of time, remaining as fresh and as appealing today as on its first release.

We hope this recording continues to fill your hearts and homes with the true Spirit of Christmas.