---
product_id: 15221900
title: "Fry: Santa Claus Symphony / Royal Scottish National Orchestra"
price: "€ 26.11"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.ie/products/15221900-fry-santa-claus-symphony-royal-scottish-national-orchestra
store_origin: IE
region: Ireland
---

# Fry: Santa Claus Symphony / Royal Scottish National Orchestra

**Price:** € 26.11
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Fry: Santa Claus Symphony / Royal Scottish National Orchestra
- **How much does it cost?** € 26.11 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ie](https://www.desertcart.ie/products/15221900-fry-santa-claus-symphony-royal-scottish-national-orchestra)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Product description Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Tony Rowe - William Henry Fry - Santa Claus Symphony - CD Review The name of William Henry Fry (1813-64) appears as a a brief footnote in the annals of American music the first native-born American to write for large symphonic forces, the first to write a grand opera (Leonora, 1845, reportedly a flabby imitation of Bellini), the first American music critic for a major newspaper, and the first (vociferous) champion of native American music. Surely such a figure should at the very least command some interest. This release is the first opportunity anyone has ever had of hearing his music on disc, ipso facto a valuable exercise for which Naxos should be heartily congratulated. But the music and the playing make it much more than a mere archaeological dig. Fry emerges as kind of symphonic Gottschalk, with little reliance on counterpoint or interest in formal Classical structures, but with a colourful awareness of the orchestra and its dramatic potential. The results may not be profound or visionary, but they are expertly and imaginatively scored, endearing, and even moving at times. The Santa Claus Symphony (more accurately, an orchestral fantasy), lasting over 26 minutes, is an unbroken sequence of musical tableaux. It depicts the announcement of the Saviour's birth, a Christmas Eve party, the sleep that follows (with Rock-a-bye-baby on the soprano saxophone the first use of the instrument in a symphonic setting), a snow storm with a rare solo for the double-bass and some demanding passages for the strings and woodwind, the joyful arrival of Santa, and then the familiar strains of Adeste fideles, the tune which concludes the work in a hymn of praise.The Macbeth Overture (1864) is a surprisingly good-natured affair, its attractive principal theme dangerously close to a Moody & Sankey hymn tune. There is little hint of the supernatural, of Shakespeare's evil protagonists or the play's dark overtones. Niagara, composed in 1854 for one of P. T. Barnum's Monster Concerts, provides the most striking musical mimicry of a colossal waterfall I have ever heard, realized by 11 thunderous timpani and much energetic scale passagework from the strings and woodwind sections an engaging piece of extravagant kitsch. The Breaking Heart is the orchestral equivalent of Gottschalk's The Last Hope, a sentimental melodrama with some lovely writing for the solo flute. Here, as elsewhere, Tony Rowe is in firm control of proceedings, while allowing the expressive RSNO to play the music for all it is worth, giving every impression of having a thoroughly good time. Some will doubtless dismiss Fry as too jejune and frivolous for words. I can only say that I enjoyed it all hugely and if the disc doesn't provoke concert performances of the Santa Claus and Niagara Symphonies during this year's seasonal festivities, then Father Christmas simply doesn't exist. Jeremy Nicholas -- From International Record Review - subscribe now

Review: Five Stars - Thank you
Review: The first captured sounds of Niagara Falls! - This was an exceptional listening experience. For pre Civil War music there is none of the datedness of Steven Foster, and by that I mean only that Foster has a certain sound that we readily associate with his times. The Santa Claus Symphony is pretty much a half hour tone poem depicting the Christmas season and it does so splendidly enough to perfectly capture the Holiday spirit of things, sleigh ride and all. Overture to MacBeth and The Breaking Heart sound more modern than they actually are, but for me the real thrill here was listening to what was probably the first capture in sound of what Niagara Falls was all about, the rush and cascading of water, the force of nature to be reckoned with, a picture perfect (musical) postcard before any such thing was available. A valuable addition to any classical music collection.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN  | B0000509J9 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #181,602 in CDs & Vinyl ( See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl ) #1,129 in Noels #4,317 in Symphonies (CDs & Vinyl) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (26) |
| Date First Available  | December 8, 2006 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer  | No |
| Label  | Naxos American |
| Manufacturer  | Naxos American |
| Number of discs  | 1 |
| Original Release Date  | 2001 |
| Product Dimensions  | 5.63 x 4.84 x 0.39 inches; 3.39 ounces |

## Images

![Fry: Santa Claus Symphony / Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510IffYoaZL.jpg)
![Fry: Santa Claus Symphony / Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519kNKcoJVL.jpg)
![Fry: Santa Claus Symphony / Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/714v+8VMe6L.jpg)
![Fry: Santa Claus Symphony / Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814LULJT20L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five Stars
*by M***A on August 21, 2015*

Thank you

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The first captured sounds of Niagara Falls!
*by R***Z on November 27, 2014*

This was an exceptional listening experience. For pre Civil War music there is none of the datedness of Steven Foster, and by that I mean only that Foster has a certain sound that we readily associate with his times. The Santa Claus Symphony is pretty much a half hour tone poem depicting the Christmas season and it does so splendidly enough to perfectly capture the Holiday spirit of things, sleigh ride and all. Overture to MacBeth and The Breaking Heart sound more modern than they actually are, but for me the real thrill here was listening to what was probably the first capture in sound of what Niagara Falls was all about, the rush and cascading of water, the force of nature to be reckoned with, a picture perfect (musical) postcard before any such thing was available. A valuable addition to any classical music collection.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A true revelation
*by C***G on December 27, 2010*

Wonderful and compelling music! I bought this CD for these holidays and have to say that i'm happy to get it. Fry seems to me as a great orchestral painter and creator of wonderful atmospheres in a pre-strauss way. He sounds as an avant-garde composer, considering that he was born in 1.813. His tone poems has a bit of schumannesque style but all of them have their own personality. This is an excellent recommendation for new music explorers.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.ie/products/15221900-fry-santa-claus-symphony-royal-scottish-national-orchestra](https://www.desertcart.ie/products/15221900-fry-santa-claus-symphony-royal-scottish-national-orchestra)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Ireland*
*Store origin: IE*
*Last updated: 2026-02-16*