THE KNIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS | YOUR CLASSICAL

NEW CLASSICAL TRACKS

-JULIE AMACHER

The Knights celebrate the holiday season with a Christmas album

“This album took as much time as building the perfect dessert or pastry over the course of years,” said Eric Jacobson, conductor of the Knights. “Yet at the same time, it's meant to make people happy and be that taste you love so much.”

Over the past 20 years, Jacobson has created a sense of trust with the orchestral collective he co-founded, allowing different members to take the lead on special projects.  Their latest recording, Before Christmas, is a perfect example and perfect pastry. It’s the brainchild of Christina Courtin. She’s a violinist with the Knights, as well as a singer, songwriter, producer and engineer.

Christina, why was this project important to you?

Christina: “I've always been really interested in holiday records. I love Christmas records. I love listening to that music. When Eric approached me about doing it, I was really excited, but also a little nervous. It’s like your best friend giving you the keys to the Porsche.”

Who is the biggest surprise guest on this album?

Christina: “Anthony Roth Costanzo, because I personally don't have a relationship with him. I was unsure if he was going to work with me. We recorded him singing first, which was kind of unusual. Usually, the band will record first and then the soloist gets to overdub on top of that.”

Eric: “There was a freedom in his singing because he got to record it with his own pianist. The orchestra then had to listen many times to get his inflections and be an organ, breathe and a string section at the same time. That was really fun.”