Ovation. Dame Malvina Major (soprano). Sony Music 2CDs
She leaves, in her own words, ''on a high note''.
The recorded retrospective of the world-renowned singer celebrates a 50-year career with 36 items culled from greatest moments after winning the 1963 Mobil Song Quest and the Melbourne Sun Aria in 1964.
Over the next decades her career included 28 major opera roles, as well as oratorio, and concert singing, plus recordings.
The tracks include many popular songs and songs from shows (Summertime, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, I Could Have Danced All Night, etc) and old favourites (White Cliffs of Dover, Danny Boy, Amazing Grace) plus some impressive classical arias on disc 2.
Verdict: Deserved ovation for Major career.
Carols with St Paul's Cathedral Choir. Decca CD
Andrew Carwood directs one of the world's most celebrated large choirs, formed in London 900 years ago.
Accompanied by organ, 19 carols are a treat.
''Classic hits'' such as Silent Night, Hark The Herald-Angels Sing, and O Come All Ye Faithful mix with new works like Philip Stopford's setting of the 16th-century Lully Lulla Lullay, and Graham Jordan Ellis' There Is No Rose.
Great to hear the wonderful treble voice in a verse of Once in Royal David's City, and the brief Ding Dong Merrily On High and Carol of the Bells are followed later by John Rutter's new All Bells In Paradise that is another delight.
Great to hear English voices in pure beauty of tones; magic!
Verdict: The true art in carol singing.
