Mormon Tabernacle Choir, guests unwrap musical magic

Each year the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square and Bells at Temple Square offer a musical gift not only to the community but to the world.

When this year's "Wondrous Gift of Christmas" was unwrapped, it revealed a package richly endowed with hope and joy, praise and glory and the quintessential spirit of the season.

With special guests R&B, pop and jazz singer Natalie Cole and author and historian David McCullough, and with a troupe of graceful dancers and a lively combined children's choir from Salt Lake and Utah County, the program was a delightful celebration of Christmas past, present and around the world, a treasure of song and story.

Cole sparkled as she sang both pop favorites and traditional carols with what she called her "wonderful backup singers." Especially meaningful was her rendition of "The Christmas Song." It wasn't officially Christmas until they sang that song in her home, she told the audience — "of course, it was real cool, having the original singer (her father, Nat King Cole) right there."

McCullough pointed out that music is such a part of the American story "that if you take it away, you take away part of our soul." But, he added, "the music means more when you know the story behind it." He told the story of "a cherished carol and a beloved song," and their importance during a pivotal time in American history — World War II. He referred to "O, Little Town of Bethlehem" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." Their stories, he said, still remind us how important it is to bring peace into each of our hearts and homes.

Several original songs composed and/or arranged by choir director Mack Wilberg added to the special flavor of the evening, including a grand processional, "Come, O Come," a sprightly rendition of "Carols in the Air" featuring music and dance from Spain, Jamaica, Ireland, Russia and Germany, and an "O Holy Night" that beautifully captured the reverence and divinity of the Nativity.

Richard Elliot's organ solo wove together "Good King Wenceslas" and "The Nutcracker" and brought the audience to its feet. And Cole captured the sweetness and the power of the biblical account with her narration of the Christmas story.

At a press conference earlier Friday, Cole and McCullough both expressed their excitement and appreciation in being able to perform at this year's concert.

"They are great," the eight-time Grammy-winning Cole said of the choir and orchestra. "One of the things that I was really impressed to discover was that these are all volunteers. I've worked with a lot of people through the years, a lot of choirs and churches, as well. I tell you this is as professional as it can be. Their willingness to do well ran throughout the performance."