This delicate and angelic Christmas collection is as magical as Christmas itself. The Dale Warland Singers, a choral ensemble from Minnesota, performs sixteen classic carols as arranged by Steven Paulus. The collaboration between Warland and Paulus (the latter associated with both Robert Shaw and Neville Marriner), is a serendipitous one indeed. The tasteful accompaniment on 11 of the tracks, such as the lachrymose oboe of 'We Three Kings' or the lilting harp that offsets the tension of the melody of 'The Ship Carol,' are the perfect accessory. 'Angels We Have Heard On High' is joyous, the high harmony ascending to an exultant and inspired climax.