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{{Short description|Album by Sting}}
{{Short description|Album by Sting}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = If on a Winter's Night...
| name = If on a Winter's Night...
| type = studio
| type = studio
| artist = [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]
| artist = [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]
| cover = Sting winter night.jpg
| cover = Sting winter night.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = October 27, 2009
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2009|10|26}}
| recorded = 2009
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[folk music|folk]], [[classical music|classical]]
| studio = Steerpike Studios, Villa Il Palagio, Figline Valdarno, Italy,<br>The Source, Malibu, California, USA,<br>Clinton Recording Studios, New York, USA,<br>Manhattan Center Studios, New York, USA,<br>SevenSeas Studios, New York, USA
| length = 50:18<br />With Bonus Tracks: 59:16
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[folk music|folk]], [[classical music|classical]]
| label = [[Deutsche Grammophon]]<br />[[Cherrytree Records|Cherrytree]]
| length =
| label = [[Deutsche Grammophon]]
| producer = [[Robert Sadin]], Sting
| producer = [[Robert Sadin]],<br>[[Sting]]
| prev_title = [[Songs from the Labyrinth]]
| prev_year = 2006
| prev_title = [[Songs from the Labyrinth]]
| next_title = [[Symphonicities]]
| prev_year = 2006
| next_year = 2010
| next_title = [[Symphonicities]]
| next_year = 2010
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| MC = 43/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/if-on-a-winters-night/sting/critic-reviews|title=Critic Reviews for ''If on a Winter's Night...''|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=29 May 2012}}</ref>
| MC = 43/100
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Stephen |last=Erlewine |title=If on a Winter's Night... |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1643493|pure_url=yes}} |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=3 December 2009}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}
| rev2 = ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''
| rev2 = ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''
| rev2Score = (favorable)<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Mikael |last=Wood |title=Sting, "If on a Winter's Night..." |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1070616/sting-if-on-a-winters-night |magazine=Billboard |access-date=11 September 2012 |date=13 November 2009}}</ref>
| rev2Score = (favorable)
| rev3 = ''[[The Boston Globe]]''
| rev3 = ''[[The Boston Globe]]''
| rev3Score = (positive)<ref>{{cite news|first=Sarah |last=Rodman |title=Sting relishes a bleak and beautiful season |url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2009/10/26/on_winters_night_sting_celebrates_the_season/ |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=11 September 2012 |date=26 October 2009}}</ref>
| rev3Score = (positive)
| rev6 = [[NU.nl]]
| rev6 = [[NU.nl]]
| rev6Score = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="NUNL">{{cite web |first=Pierre |last=Oitmann |title=Review: ''If on a Winter's Night...'' |url=http://www.nu.nl/cd-recensies/2112688/sting---if-on-a-winters-night.html |publisher=[[NU.nl]] |access-date=30 October 2009}}</ref>
| rev6Score = {{Rating|7|10}}
| rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|1|5}}<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Simpson |title= ''Sting: If on a Winters Night'' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/dec/11/sting-if-on-winter-s-night |work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=11 December 2009 |date=11 December 2009}}</ref>
| rev4Score = {{Rating|1|5}}
| rev5 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev5 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Gill |title=If on a Winter's Night... |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-sting-if-on-a-winters-night-deutsche-grammophon-1811483.html |work=The Independent |location=London |access-date=30 October 2009 |date=30 October 2009}}</ref>
| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|5}}
| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7Score = {{Rating|2|5}}
| rev7Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="Metacritic"/>
| rev8 = ''[[The Times]]''
| rev8 = ''[[The Times]]''
| rev8Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Pete |last=Paphides |title=If on a Winter's Night... |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6957134.ece |work=The Times |location=London |access-date=30 October 2009 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/music/albumreviews/article2421554.ece|title=Jingle sells: A-list Christmas albums |last1=Paphides |first1=Pete }}</ref>
| rev8Score = {{Rating|3|5}}
| rev9 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev9 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev9Score = {{Rating|2|5}}
| rev9Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="Metacritic"/>
}}
}}


'''''If on a Winter's Night...''''' is the ninth studio album by English musician and actor, [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]. The album is a collection of Christmas and winter-themed songs mostly written by others, including [[folk song]]s, [[madrigal]]s and religious [[hymns]] from past centuries. Dozens of musicians appear on the album in various configurations, including jazz, folk and classical players.
'''''If on a Winter's Night...''''' is the ninth studio album from British musician [[Sting (musician)|Sting]].<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Daniel Kreps |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/06/18/sting-to-return-this-fall-with-if-on-a-winters-night/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619205535/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/06/18/sting-to-return-this-fall-with-if-on-a-winters-night/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 June 2009 |title=Sting to Return This Fall With If on a Winter's Night... &#124; Music News |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=18 June 2009 |access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref> The album is a collection of Christmas and winter-themed songs mostly written by others, including [[folk song]]s, [[madrigal]]s and religious [[hymns]] from past centuries. Dozens of musicians appear on the album in various configurations, including jazz, folk and classical players.


It was released in most countries on 26 October 2009, on October 27, 2009 in the United States and November 2, 2009 in the United Kingdom. The album was released in several formats: vinyl LP, a single-disc CD, a limited edition CD and making-of DVD entitled ''The Genesis of 'If on a Winter's Night...' in Six Chapters'' in hardback book packaging, an Amazon.com exclusive version, as well as various import editions (of note is the Japanese edition). The limited edition and Amazon exclusive both include bonus songs; the Japanese edition include them as well but adds "The Coventry Carol." The album includes a reworking of "The Hounds of Winter" from his album ''[[Mercury Falling]]''.
It was released in most countries on 26 October 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/cat/2701743|title=STING If on a Winter's Night... – 1 CD|publisher=[[Deutsche Grammophon]]|access-date=1 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sting.com/discography/album/365/Albums|title=If on a Winter's Night...|publisher=Sting.com|work=Discography|access-date=1 August 2016}}</ref> on 27 October 2009 in the United States<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268350/sting-announces-winter-album-for-fall |title=Sting announces winter album for fall |magazine=Billboard |access-date=19 July 2009}}</ref> and 2 November 2009 in the United Kingdom.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} The album was released in several formats: vinyl LP, a single-disc CD, a limited edition CD and making-of DVD entitled ''The Genesis of 'If on a Winter's Night...' in Six Chapters'' in hardback book packaging, an Amazon exclusive version, as well as various import editions (of note is the Japanese edition). The limited edition and Amazon exclusive both include bonus songs; the Japanese edition include them as well but adds "The Coventry Carol." The album includes a reworking of "The Hounds of Winter" from his album ''[[Mercury Falling]]''.


The title of the album is based on the novel ''[[If on a winter's night a traveler]]'' by [[Italo Calvino]].
The title of the album is based on the novel ''[[If on a winter's night a traveler]]'' by [[Italo Calvino]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.classicaltv.com/the-informer/sting-the-traveler |title=Sting The Traveler – Classical TV interview |publisher=Classicaltv.com |access-date=20 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505124616/http://www.classicaltv.com/the-informer/sting-the-traveler |archive-date=5 May 2013 }}</ref>


== Track listing ==
== Track listing ==


{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = ''If on a Winter's Night...'' track listing

| title1 = [[Gabriel's Message]]
| title1 = [[Gabriel's Message]]
| writer1 = Traditional
| writer1 = Traditional
Line 92: Line 93:
| length10 = 5:45
| length10 = 5:45


| title11 = [[Balulalow]]
| title11 = [[Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her|Balulalow]]
| writer11 = Music by [[Peter Warlock]], lyrics traditional
| writer11 = Music by [[Peter Warlock]], lyrics traditional
| length11 = 3:08
| length11 = 3:08
Line 128: Line 129:
| length18 = 2:33
| length18 = 2:33
}}
}}

== Personnel ==
=== Musicians ===
* [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] – vocals, arrangements, [[lute]] (3), guitars (5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14), [[snare drum]] (5), percussion (2, 8, 10, 17)
* [[David Hartley (musician)|David Hartley]] – [[harmonium]] (3)
* Julian Sutton – [[Melodeon (accordion)|melodeon]] (6, 8, 10, 13, 14)
* [[David Sancious]] – [[Electric organ|organ]] (10)
* [[Dominic Miller]] – guitars (1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 17)
* [[Dean Parks]] – guitars (2), [[mandolin]] (2)
* [[David Mansfield]] – mandolin (2, 8), 12-string guitar (5), [[lap dulcimer]] (5, 8), [[mandocello]] (8)
* [[Edin Karamazov]] – lute (15)
* [[Ira Coleman]] – bass (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13, 15)
* [[Kenny Garrett]] – soprano saxophone (8)
* Chris Dudley – trombone (2)
* [[Ibrahim Maalouf]] – trumpet (1)
* Chris Gekker – trumpet (2)
* Brent Madsen – trumpet (2)
* [[Chris Botti]] – trumpet (11, 17)
* Leslie Neish – [[tuba]] (2)
* [[Marcus Rojas]] – tuba (2)
* [[John Clark (musician)|John Clark]] – [[French horn]] (2)
* [[Bassam Saba]] – [[ney]] (3), [[oud]] (3)
* [[John Ellis (saxophonist)|John Ellis]] – [[bass clarinet]] (7, 10)
* Daphna Mor – [[Recorder (musical instrument)|recorder]] (7)
* [[Mary Macmaster]] – [[harp]] (5, 8, 13, 17), vocals (5)
* Dov Scheindlin – viola (9)
* [[Kathryn Tickell]] – violin (2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13), [[Northumbrian smallpipes]] (6)
* Peter Tickell – violin (2)
* Svetlana Tsovena – violin (7)
* [[Daniel Hope (violinist)|Daniel Hope]] – violin (9, 14, 17)
* [[Vincent Ségal]] – cello (6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 17)
* Melissa Meell – cello (9)
* Charles Curtis – cello (11)
* [[Robert Sadin]] – arrangements, string conductor (6, 11, 15, 16), percussion (7), soundscape (9)
* Allen Bluestein – string contractor (6, 11, 15, 16)
* Strings of the Musica Aeterna Orchestra – strings (6, 11, 15, 16)
* [[Joe Sumner]] – backing vocals (2, 3)
* [[The Webb Sisters]] – backing vocals (2, 3)
* [[Stile Antico (early music vocal ensemble)|Stile Antico]] – vocal ensemble (6)
* [[Lisa Fischer]] – backing vocals (8, 11), vocals (10)
* Jasmine Thomas – backing vocals (11)
* [[Jack DeJohnette]] – drums (8)
* Daniel Druckman – snare drum (8, 11)
* [[Cyro Baptista]] – percussion (1, 8, 10, 13, 17)
* Bijan Chemirani – percussion (3, 10)
* Daniel Freedman – percussion (3)
* Rhani Krija – percussion (3)
* Donald Hay – percussion (5)
* [[Bashiri Johnson]] – percussion (5, 10), [[frame drum]] (11)

=== Production ===
* Sting – producer, mixing
* Robert Sadin – producer, mixing (1, 3–17)
* David Darlington – engineer, mixing (1, 3–17)
* Clark Germain – engineer
* Donal Hodgson – engineer, mixing (2)
* Tim Mitchell – additional engineer, assistant engineer
* Todd Whitelock – additional engineer
* Mark Crowley – assistant engineer
* Joshua Cutsinger – assistant engineer
* Martin Hollis – assistant engineer
* Royce Jeffres – assistant engineer
* Adam Miller – assistant engineer
* Mark Wilder – mastering (1, 3–15)
* Maria Triana – mastering assistant (1, 3–15)
* [[Bob Ludwig]] – mastering (2)
* Dave Sandford – production coordinator
* Dana Wise – production coordinator
* Joseph Hutchinson – package design, artwork
* Jim & Anne Gable – Executive Producers, Directors: "If on a Winter's Night", Recording Studio Documentary Film
* Tony Molina Filmworks – LP photography cover, LP liner notes package photography. Director of Photography "If on a Winter's Night" Documentary Film.

'''Studios'''
* Recorded at Steerpike Studio (Wiltshire, England); [[Villa Il Palagio]] (Florence, Italy); The Source (Malibu, Florida); Clinton Recording Studio, Manhattan Center Studios and Seven Seas Studio (New York City, New York).
* Mixed at Steerpike Studio; Villa Il Palagio; Clinton Recording Studio, Burning Kite Digital and Bass Hit Studios (New York City, New York).
* Tracks 1 and 3–17 mastered at Battery Studios (New York City, New York); Track 2 mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine).


==Charts==
==Charts==
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{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


'''Weekly charts'''
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for ''If on a Winter's Night...''
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2009–2010)
! scope="col"| Chart (2009–2010)
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite Ryan|page=268}}</ref>
| 58
|-
|-
{{album chart|Austria|12|artist=Sting|album=If on a Winter's Night...|rowheader=true|access-date=25 May 2021}}
{{album chart|Austria|12|artist=Sting|album=If on a Winter's Night...|rowheader=true|access-date=25 May 2021}}
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{{album chart|Germany4|5|id=119582|artist=Sting|album=If on a Winter's Night...|rowheader=true|access-date=25 May 2021}}
{{album chart|Germany4|5|id=119582|artist=Sting|album=If on a Winter's Night...|rowheader=true|access-date=25 May 2021}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite web | url = http://greekcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Sting&titel=If+On+A+Winter%27s+Night...&cat=a | publisher = Greekcharts.com. Hung Medien | access-date = 5 July 2012 | title = Finnish Charts – Sting – If on a Winter's Night... (album) | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120312064912/http://greekcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Sting&titel=If+On+A+Winter%27s+Night%2E%2E%2E&cat=a | archive-date = 12 March 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
! scope="row"| Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])
| 11
| 11
|-
|-
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{{album chart|Norway|18|artist=Sting|album=If on a Winter's Night...|rowheader=true|access-date=25 May 2021}}
{{album chart|Norway|18|artist=Sting|album=If on a Winter's Night...|rowheader=true|access-date=25 May 2021}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Polish Albums ([[OLiS]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=553&lang=en |title=20 grudnia 2010 – sprzedaż w okresie 06.12.2010 – 12.12.2010 |publisher=[[OLiS]] | language = pl |access-date=5 July 2012}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Polish Albums ([[OLiS]])
| 1
| 1
|-
|-
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{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


'''Weekly charts'''
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2009 year-end chart performance for ''If on a Winter's Night...''
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2009)
! scope="col"| Chart (2009)
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
Line 208: Line 288:
| 2
| 2
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Top Classical Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/classical-albums|title=Classical Albums – Year-End 2009|work=Billboard|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Top Classical Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/classical-albums|title=Classical Albums – Year-End 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>
| 5
| 5
|}
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2010 year-end chart performance for ''If on a Winter's Night...''
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2010)
! scope="col"| Chart (2010)
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
Line 228: Line 308:
| 96
| 96
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2010|work=Billboard|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2010|magazine=Billboard|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>
| 90
| 90
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Top Classical Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/classical-albums|title=Classical Albums – Year-End 2010|work=Billboard|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Top Classical Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/classical-albums|title=Classical Albums – Year-End 2010|magazine=Billboard|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>
| 2
| 2
|}
|}
Line 237: Line 317:


==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''If on a Winter's Night...''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night...|artist=Sting|award=Gold|relyear=2009|relmonth=10|certyear=2009|certmonth=12}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night...|artist=Sting|award=Gold|relyear=2009|relmonth=10|certyear=2009|certmonth=12}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night|artist=Sting|award=Gold|relyear=2009}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night|artist=Sting|award=Gold|relyear=2009}}
Line 243: Line 323:
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night...|artist=Sting|award=Gold|relyear=2009}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night...|artist=Sting|award=Gold|relyear=2009}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|certyear=2009|award=Platinum|relyear=2009|relmonth=10|title=If on a Winter's Night|artist=Sting|type=album}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|certyear=2009|award=Platinum|relyear=2009|relmonth=10|title=If on a Winter's Night|artist=Sting|type=album}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2009|title=If on a Winter's Night |artist=Sting}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2009|title=If on a Winter's Night |artist=Sting}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2009|title=If on a Winter's Night |artist=Sting|type=album|certyear=2010|access-date=18 April 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2009|title=If on a Winter's Night |artist=Sting|type=album|certyear=2010|access-date=18 April 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night...|artist=Sting|award=Gold|relyear=2009}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night...|artist=Sting|award=Gold|relyear=2009}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night|artist=Sting|award=Silver|relyear=2009}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=If on a Winter's Night|artist=Sting|award=Silver|relyear=2009|certyear=2013|certmonth=7|id=12444-1653-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|relyear=2009|title=If on a Winter's Night |artist=Sting|salesamount=544,000|type=album|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xGl78gyjknMC&q=christmas+wishes&pg=PA17|page=69|magazine=Billboard|title=Christmas Wishes (Are Made of This)|first=Craig|last=McClean|date=6 November 2010|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|relyear=2009|title=If on a Winter's Night |artist=Sting|salesamount=544,000|type=album|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xGl78gyjknMC&q=christmas+wishes&pg=PA17|page=69|magazine=Billboard|title=Christmas Wishes (Are Made of This)|first=Craig|last=McClean|date=6 November 2010|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

== Personnel ==
* [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] - vocals, arrangement, percussion (2, 8, 10, 17), [[lute]] (3), guitar (5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14), [[snare drum]] (5)
'''Additional musicians'''
* [[David Hartley (musician)|David Hartley]] - [[harmonium]] (3)
* [[Julian Sutton]] - [[Melodeon (accordion)|melodeon]] (6, 8, 10, 13, 14)
* [[David Sancious]] - [[Electric organ|organ]] (10)
* [[Dominic Miller]] - guitar (1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 17)
* [[Dean Parks]] - guitar (2), [[mandolin]] (2)
* [[David Mansfield]] - mandolin (2, 8), 12-string guitar (5), [[lap dulcimer]] (5, 8), [[mandocello]] (8)
* [[Edin Karamazov]] - lute (15)
* [[Ira Coleman]] – bass (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13, 15)
* [[Jack DeJohnette]] - drums (8)
* Daniel Druckman - snare drum (8, 11)
* [[Cyro Baptista]] - percussion (1, 8, 10, 13, 17)
* Bijan Chemirani - percussion (3, 10)
* Daniel Freedman - percussion (3)
* Rhani Krija - percussion (3)
* [[Donald Hay (musician)|Donald Hay]] - percussion (5)
* [[Bashiri Johnson]] - percussion (5, 10), [[frame drum]] (11)
* [[Kenny Garrett]] - soprano saxophone (8)
* Chris Dudley - trombone (2)
* [[Ibrahim Maalouf]] - trumpet (1)
* Chris Gekker - trumpet (2)
* Brent Madsen - trumpet (2)
* [[Chris Botti]] - trumpet (11, 17)
* Leslie Neish - [[tuba]] (2)
* [[Marcus Rojas]] - tuba (2)
* [[John Clark (musician)|John Clark]] - [[French horn]] (2)
* [[Bassam Saba]] - [[ney]] (3), [[oud]] (3)
* [[John Ellis (saxophonist)|John Ellis]] - [[bass clarinet]] (7, 10)
* Daphna Mor - [[Recorder (musical instrument)|recorder]] (7)
* [[Vincent Ségal]] - cello (6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 17)
* Melissa Meell - cello (9)
* Charles Curtis - cello (11)
* [[Mary Macmaster]] - [[harp]] (5, 8, 13, 17), vocals (5)
* Dov Scheindlin - viola (9)
* [[Kathryn Tickell]] - violin (2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13), [[Northumbrian smallpipes]] (6)
* [[Peter Tickell]] - violin (2)
* Svetlana Tsovena - violin (7)
* [[Daniel Hope (violinist)|Daniel Hope]] - violin (9, 14, 17)
* [[Robert Sadin]] - arrangement, string conductor (6, 11, 15, 16), percussion (7), soundscape (9)
* Allen Bluestein - string contractor (6, 11, 15, 16)
* Strings of the Musica Aeterna Orchestra z strings (6, 11, 15, 16)
* [[Joe Sumner]] - backing vocals (2, 3)
* [[The Webb Sisters]] - backing vocals (2, 3, 5)
* [[Stile Antico (early music vocal ensemble)|Stile Antico]] - vocal ensemble (6)
* [[Lisa Fischer]] - backing vocals (8, 11), vocals (10)
* Jasmine Thomas - backing vocals (11)

== Production ==
* Sting – producer, mixing
* Robert Sadin – producer, mixing (1, 3-17)
* David Darlington – engineer, mixing (1, 3-17)
* Clark Germain – engineer
* Donal Hodgson – engineer, mixing (2)
* Tim Mitchell – additional engineer, assistant engineer
* Todd Whitelock – additional engineer
* Mark Crowley – assistant engineer
* Joshua Cutsinger – assistant engineer
* Martin Hollis – assistant engineer
* Royce Jeffres – assistant engineer
* Adam Miller – assistant engineer
* Mark Wilder – mastering (1, 3-15)
* Maria Triana – mastering assistant (1, 3-15)
* [[Bob Ludwig]] – mastering (2)
* Martin Kierszenbaum – A&R
* Christopher Roberts – A&R
* Amy Merxbauer – A&R coordinator
* Evelyn Morgan – A&R coordinator
* Dave Sandford – production coordinator
* Dana Wise – production coordinator
* Joseph Hutchinson – package design, artwork
* Tony Molina – cover photography
* Kathryn Schenker – management

'''Studios'''
* Recorded at Steerpike Studio (Wiltshire, England); [[Villa Il Palagio]] (Florence, Italy); The Source (Malibu, Florida); Clinton Recording Studio, Manhattan Center Studios and Seven Seas Studio (New York City, New York).
* Mixed at Steerpike Studio; Villa Il Palagio; Clinton Recording Studio, Burning Kite Digital and Bass Hit Studios (New York City, New York).
* Tracks 1 & 3-17 mastered at Battery Studios (New York City, New York); Track 2 mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine).


==See also==
==See also==
Line 334: Line 334:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Metacritic album}}


{{Sting}}
{{Sting}}

Latest revision as of 09:32, 19 October 2024

If on a Winter's Night...
Studio album by
Released26 October 2009 (2009-10-26)
GenrePop, folk, classical
Length50:18
With Bonus Tracks: 59:16
LabelDeutsche Grammophon
Cherrytree
ProducerRobert Sadin, Sting
Sting chronology
Songs from the Labyrinth
(2006)
If on a Winter's Night...
(2009)
Symphonicities
(2010)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic43/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Billboard(favorable)[3]
The Boston Globe(positive)[4]
The Guardian[6]
The Independent[7]
NU.nl[5]
Q[1]
The Times[8][9]
Uncut[1]

If on a Winter's Night... is the ninth studio album from British musician Sting.[10] The album is a collection of Christmas and winter-themed songs mostly written by others, including folk songs, madrigals and religious hymns from past centuries. Dozens of musicians appear on the album in various configurations, including jazz, folk and classical players.

It was released in most countries on 26 October 2009,[11][12] on 27 October 2009 in the United States[13] and 2 November 2009 in the United Kingdom.[citation needed] The album was released in several formats: vinyl LP, a single-disc CD, a limited edition CD and making-of DVD entitled The Genesis of 'If on a Winter's Night...' in Six Chapters in hardback book packaging, an Amazon exclusive version, as well as various import editions (of note is the Japanese edition). The limited edition and Amazon exclusive both include bonus songs; the Japanese edition include them as well but adds "The Coventry Carol." The album includes a reworking of "The Hounds of Winter" from his album Mercury Falling.

The title of the album is based on the novel If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino.[14]

Track listing

[edit]
If on a Winter's Night... track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Gabriel's Message"Traditional2:32
2."Soul Cake"Paul Stookey, Tracey Batteast, Elena Mezetti3:26
3."There Is No Rose of Such Virtue"Anonymous4:01
4."The Snow It Melts the Soonest"Traditional3:42
5."Christmas at Sea"Poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, music by Sting, Mary Macmaster4:34
6."Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"Music by Michael Praetorius, English translation by Theodore Baker2:40
7."Cold Song"Music by Henry Purcell, lyrics by John Dryden3:14
8."The Burning Babe"Music by Chris Wood, lyrics by Robert Southwell2:46
9."Now Winter Comes Slowly"Music by Henry Purcell, lyrics by Thomas Betterton3:04
10."The Hounds of Winter"Sting5:45
11."Balulalow"Music by Peter Warlock, lyrics traditional3:08
12."The Cherry-Tree Carol"Traditional3:10
13."Lullaby for an Anxious Child"Music and lyrics by Sting and Dominic Miller2:52
14."The Hurdy-Gurdy Man"Music by Franz Schubert, poem by Wilhelm Müller, adapted by Sting2:48
15."You Only Cross My Mind in Winter"Music by J. S. Bach, lyrics by Sting2:36
Bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
16."Bethlehem Down"Peter Warlock and Bruce Blunt2:56
17."Blake's Cradle Song"Music by Vaughan Williams, poem by William Blake3:29
18."The Coventry Carol" 2:33

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

[edit]

Production

[edit]
  • Sting – producer, mixing
  • Robert Sadin – producer, mixing (1, 3–17)
  • David Darlington – engineer, mixing (1, 3–17)
  • Clark Germain – engineer
  • Donal Hodgson – engineer, mixing (2)
  • Tim Mitchell – additional engineer, assistant engineer
  • Todd Whitelock – additional engineer
  • Mark Crowley – assistant engineer
  • Joshua Cutsinger – assistant engineer
  • Martin Hollis – assistant engineer
  • Royce Jeffres – assistant engineer
  • Adam Miller – assistant engineer
  • Mark Wilder – mastering (1, 3–15)
  • Maria Triana – mastering assistant (1, 3–15)
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering (2)
  • Dave Sandford – production coordinator
  • Dana Wise – production coordinator
  • Joseph Hutchinson – package design, artwork
  • Jim & Anne Gable – Executive Producers, Directors: "If on a Winter's Night", Recording Studio Documentary Film
  • Tony Molina Filmworks – LP photography cover, LP liner notes package photography. Director of Photography "If on a Winter's Night" Documentary Film.

Studios

  • Recorded at Steerpike Studio (Wiltshire, England); Villa Il Palagio (Florence, Italy); The Source (Malibu, Florida); Clinton Recording Studio, Manhattan Center Studios and Seven Seas Studio (New York City, New York).
  • Mixed at Steerpike Studio; Villa Il Palagio; Clinton Recording Studio, Burning Kite Digital and Bass Hit Studios (New York City, New York).
  • Tracks 1 and 3–17 mastered at Battery Studios (New York City, New York); Track 2 mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine).

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for If on a Winter's Night...
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[50] Gold 15,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[51] Gold 40,000^
France (SNEP)[52] Platinum 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[53] Gold 100,000^
Hungary (MAHASZ)[54] Platinum 6,000^
Italy (FIMI)[55] 2× Platinum 140,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[56] 4× Platinum 80,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[57] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Silver 60,000*
United States (RIAA)[60] Gold 544,000[59]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Critic Reviews for If on a Winter's Night...". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen. "If on a Winter's Night..." AllMusic. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
  3. ^ Wood, Mikael (13 November 2009). "Sting, "If on a Winter's Night..."". Billboard. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  4. ^ Rodman, Sarah (26 October 2009). "Sting relishes a bleak and beautiful season". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  5. ^ Oitmann, Pierre. "Review: If on a Winter's Night...". NU.nl. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  6. ^ Simpson, Dave (11 December 2009). "Sting: If on a Winters Night". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
  7. ^ Gill, Andy (30 October 2009). "If on a Winter's Night..." The Independent. London. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  8. ^ Paphides, Pete. "If on a Winter's Night..." The Times. London. Retrieved 30 October 2009.[dead link]
  9. ^ Paphides, Pete. "Jingle sells: A-list Christmas albums".
  10. ^ Daniel Kreps (18 June 2009). "Sting to Return This Fall With If on a Winter's Night... | Music News". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  11. ^ "STING If on a Winter's Night... – 1 CD". Deutsche Grammophon. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  12. ^ "If on a Winter's Night..." Discography. Sting.com. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  13. ^ "Sting announces winter album for fall". Billboard. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  14. ^ "Sting The Traveler – Classical TV interview". Classicaltv.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  15. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 268.
  16. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Sting – If on a Winter's Night..." (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Sting – If on a Winter's Night..." (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  18. ^ "Ultratop.be – Sting – If on a Winter's Night..." (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Sting – If on a Winter's Night...". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Sting – If on a Winter's Night..." (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Sting: If on a Winter's Night..." (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  22. ^ "Lescharts.com – Sting – If on a Winter's Night...". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  23. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Sting – If on a Winter's Night..." (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Finnish Charts – Sting – If on a Winter's Night... (album)". Greekcharts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  25. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2009. 46. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Sting". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Sting – If on a Winter's Night...". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Sting – If on a Winter's Night...". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  29. ^ "20 grudnia 2010 – sprzedaż w okresie 06.12.2010 – 12.12.2010" (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  30. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Sting – If on a Winter's Night...". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  32. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Sting – If on a Winter's Night...". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Sting – If on a Winter's Night...". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  34. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Sting – If on a Winter's Night...". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  35. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  36. ^ "Sting Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Sting Chart History (Top Classical Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  38. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2009". Ultratop. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2009". Ultratop. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  40. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2009" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  41. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  42. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Zpav.pl. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  43. ^ "Classical Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  44. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2010". Ultratop. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  45. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2010" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  46. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  47. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2010". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  48. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  49. ^ "Classical Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  50. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2009". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  51. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Sting – If on a Winter's Night". Music Canada.
  52. ^ "French album certifications – Sting – If on a Winter's Night..." (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  53. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Sting; 'If on a Winter's Night...')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  54. ^ "Adatbázis – Arany- és platinalemezek – 2009" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ.
  55. ^ "Italian album certifications – Sting – If on a Winter's Night" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "If on a Winter's Night" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  56. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2010 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  57. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('If on a Winter's Night...')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  58. ^ "British album certifications – Sting – If on a Winter's Night". British Phonographic Industry.
  59. ^ McClean, Craig (6 November 2010). "Christmas Wishes (Are Made of This)". Billboard. p. 69. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  60. ^ "American album certifications – Sting – If on a Winter's Night". Recording Industry Association of America.