(09 Decenber 2000) The third album from Grammy Award winning vocalistDarlene Koldenhoven is entitled Heavenly Peace (TimeArt Recordings (USA)D10993, 2000). Ten well arranged tracks feature the artist's five octavevocal range and inspired by Christian classics and original numbers suitthe holiday season and beyond.Darlene's earlier releases include the stunning spiritual pop crossover entitled Keys To The World (TimeArt Recordings (USA) D10901, 1993) andFree To Serve (TimeArt Recordings (USA) D10902, 1996) featuring theCRC Choirs and Friends. She is also well known as the soloist that performed"Aria" on Yanni's Live at the Acropolis video and finally appeared onone of his best-of albums after popular demand dictated some time later.

Heavenly Peace is not just another Christmas music album.The full range of the artist's experience and classical training is evident inthe dynamic and creative arrangements of timeless holiday pieces. Vocalexcursions soar spanning Darlene's entire range and fully illustrate the rangeand virtuosity of her performing talents. Keen listeners will hear operatic,pop and theatrical styles within the album's arrangements. Notable for a holiday music album, many of the selections are original compositions.

An operatic performance of the traditional "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" opens the album with a lovely orchestral arrangement featuring Karen Briggs on violin with Darlene's voice immediately soaring to join the melody. The variation in styles on the album becomes evident instantlywith the Middle Eastern flavour of Darlene's "Gabriel to Mary, Weaping,"and thinking of Scheherazade (the musical) it is illustrative of her theatrical singing style. And while performed primarily in a theatrical style, "Joseph's Question" also has soaring operatic elements. Harmony vocals are subdued but provide an excellent supporting texture to the track.

Performed largely as a duet with herself, the old Englishballad "The Star to The Stable" is an evocatively sung piece finely arranged with lovely instrumental parts supporting the vocal passages.We most enjoyed "Angels Pastorale," a lovely instrumental featuring awhistle melody textured with Darlene's vocalise. The stunning five part a capella "Angels We Have Heard on High" is a heartfelt gospel tune blending traditional elements in a unique arrangement. The crystalline purity of Darlene's voice rings in her performance of the Howells/Luther "Balulalow" (O My Deir Hert). Our readers will be instantly reminded of Charlotte Church's voice in this performance.

While Darlene's debut album was most reminscent of MiriamStockley's work in a number of the tracks, this stylistic similarityvanished from her work with the exception of her modern interpretationand heavily layered version of "Silent Night" which is clearly a standouttrack on Heavenly Peace. Soaring excursions further illustrate the extent of Darlene's range in her vocalise performance of "Emmanuel."The album closes with a most stunning and standout performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu" arranged by Alex Wurman far surpassingthose by Sarah Brightman and Charlotte Church who have both released itpreviously. The contemporary arrangement breathes refreshing new life into the modern day classic and Darlene's voice rings with crystallineclarity. Simply stunning.

Heavenly Peace is a lovely blend of traditionaland modern holiday music, with wonderful instrumental arrangementssupporting the artist's stellar vocal performances. Unique arrangementsof "Silent Night" and "Emmanuel" as well as "Pie Jesu" make this albumone for all seasons. Soundbites are available at the artist's website(click on album cover to visit).You can read further reviews and order the album from amazon.comhere.As with the artist's earlier albums, DarleneKoldenhoven's Heavenly Peace is worthy of much furtherinvestigation and is a must listen!