John Rutter conducts the Bach Choir and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in what is surely the finest new recoding of Christmas carols this year. Rutter is a composer, conductor and arranger and he brings all of that to these high holiday gems. Most of the carols are very well known, though in the arrangements of Rutter they sound completely fresh. There are some new carols here - Rutter's own 'Riu Riu Chiu' (the sounds a nightingale makes) and 'The Colours of Christmas' - and some new approaches to old ones. The main factor that makes this such a perfect selection of holiday music is the free intermixing of religious carols with contemporary Christmas songs.

Songlist: Ding Dong! Merrily On High, The Colours Of Christmas, In Dulci Jubilo, What Is This Lovely Fragrance?, Away In A Manger, Hodie Christus Natus Est, Riu Riu Chiu, I Wonder As I Wander, Star Carol, Once In Royal David's City, Silent Night, In The Bleak Midwinter, Gabriel's Message, Fanfare - O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, A New Year Carol, Joy To The World, Sleigh Ride, Deck The Hall, The Christmas Song, The Twelve Days Of Christmas, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Fanfare - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Song In Season is a major collection of new choral music by John Rutter, featuring a host of previously unrecorded works in glittering performances by the Cambridge Singers and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by the composer, John Rutter: A Song in Season ranges across the church's year, incorporating music for Christmas, Epiphany, Pentecost, Easter and Harvest. The first album of new anthems and canticles by Rutter since his landmark 2002 recording of the Mass of the Children, this beautifully-packaged release promises to delight both seasoned Rutter followers and new listeners.

Songlist: Wells Jubilate, Look to the Day, To Every Thing There is a Season, Carol of the Magi, O Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me Out, Most Gorious Lord of Life, Look at the World, Veni Sancte Spiritus, Lord, Thou Hast Been our Refuge, I Am With You Always, The King of Blis, Winchester Te Deum

Tis is a re-release at mid-price of John Rutter's Gramophone Award-winning 1984 recording of Faure's Requiem. The first-ever performance on disc of the work in its intimate original version - famously re-discovered by Rutter in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris after a century of neglect - it remains one of the timeless jewels in the crown of the Collegium catologue. Hailed on release as 'the Faure Requiem of the future' (Music Week), Rutter's performance with the Cambridge Singers and members of the City of London Sinfonia has transformed the way in which we view one of the great works of European sacred music, and remains definitive.

Songlist: Requiem: Introit et Kyrie, Offertoire, Sanctus, Pie Jesu, Agnus Dei, Libera me, In paradisum, Ave verum Corpus, Tantum ergo, Ave Maria, Maria, Mater gratiae, Cantique de Jean Racine, Messe Basse: Kyrie eleison, Messe Basse: Sanctus, Messe Basse: Benedictus, Messe Basse: Agnus Dei

Directed by John Rutter, this recording takes as its grand objective a collection of "hymns for all time." Drawn from the Anglican tradition without apology, many of these 21 compositions are accompanied, by anything from a single harp to the London Sinfonia Brass, though there are some a cappella chants. There is nothing stiff or abstract about these arrangements, however. The Cambridge mixed ensemble breathes a vitality into each note, and folk hymns such as "Be Thou My Vision" couldn't be lovelier. Those listeners who grew up singing these hymns in church will be especially fond of "Sing, Ye Heavens," but anyone can enjoy the purity of the sound of the Cambridge Singers.

Songlist: O God, Our Help In Ages Past, The King Of Love My Shepherd Is, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Veni, Creator Spiritus, Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending, Love Divie, All Loves Excelling, Pange Lingua, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Vexilla Regis, Drop, Drop, Slow Tears, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Be Thou My Vision, All Things Bright and Beautiful, Morning Has Broken, Amazing Grace, We Plough the Fields and Scatter, Glory to Thee, My God, This Night, The Day Though Gavest, Lord, Is Ended, Eternal God, Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation

Strong, stirring spirituals and tuneful, jazz-flavored settings of Shakespeare's timeless lyrics are the mouth-watering ingredients of the Cambridge Singers' eagerly-awaited new album Feel the Spirit. John Rutter has written vivid new arrangements of seven well-loved American spirituals for choir, with soloist Melanie and the BBC Concert Orchestra joining with the Cambridge Singers for this world premiere recording. Another notable 'first' is jazz legend George Shearing's captivating new cycle of Shakespeare settings, Songs and Sonnets. Those who associate George Shearing with instrumental jazz (and of course with his immortal Lullaby of Birdland) will be astonished and delighted at the youthful charm and skillful word-setting of this 81-year old master's choral writing. The final touch of sparkle is added by Proms favorite Wayne Marshall's piano, with Malcolm Creese on bass. To complete the album, John Rutter's own Birthday Madrigals - written in 1995 to celebrate George Shearing's 75th birthday - also receives their premiere recording.

Songlist: Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho, Steel Away, I Got A Robe, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Deep River, When The Saints Go Marching In, Live With Me And Be My Love, When The Daffodils Begen To Peer, It Was A Lover And His Lass, Spring, Who Is Silvia, Fie On Sinful Fantasy, Hey, Ho, The Wind And The Rain, The Heavenly Aeroplane, Lord Of The Dance, It Was A Lover And His Lass, Draw On Sweet Night, Come Live With Me, My True Love Hath My Heart, When Daisies Pied, Skylark

The incomparable Cambridge Singers bring us 22 carols, old and new: In dulci jubilo, Adam lay ybounden, Christmas Night, Once, as I Remember, A spotless Rose, In the Bleak Mid-winter, There is a Flower, The Cherry Tree Carol, I Wonder as I Wander, Candlelight Carol, O Tannenbaum, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, A Virgin Most Pure, I Sing of a Maiden, Lute-Book Lullaby, Ballet, The Three Kings, Myn Lyking, O Little One Sweet, etc.

Songlist: In Dulci Jubilo, Adam Lay Ybounden, Christmas Night, Once, As I Remember, A Spotless Rose, In The Bleak Mid-Winter, There Is A Flower, The Cherry Tree Carol, I Wonder As I Wander, Candlelight Carol, O Tannenbaum, Tommorow Shall Be My Dancing Day, A Virgin Most Pure, I Sing Of A Maiden, Lute-Book Lullaby, The Three Kings, Myn Lyking, O Little One Sweet, All My Heart This Night Rejoices, I Saw A Madian, Away In A Manger, Nativity Carol

The 28 mixed young voices of the Cambridge Singers bring us a remastered recording (originally recorded in 1982) of unaccompanied English church music from the 16th to 20th centuries, designed to be sung in a building with acoustics that allow its characteristic sonority to be heard in its full splendor-in this case the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral, built in 1350. There are 23 motets and anthems here, from 4 periods in history, "Music of the Latin Rite," "Music of the Reformation," "Music of the Restoration" and "The Anglican Revival and the 20th century." Extensive, complete liner notes. Acclaimed director John Rutter was not sure if the marvelous sound of the Singers in the Chapel could be reproduced, but was gratified to find that it could. Marvelous soaring, angelic sacred music from an unequaled, ancient acoustic!

Songlist: 1) Music Of The Latin Rite, Ave Maria, Loquebantur Variis Linguis, Miserere Mei, Haec Dies, Ave Verum Corpus, 2) Music Of The Reformatiion, If Ye Love Me, Hide Not Lhou Thy Face, Lord, For Thy Tender Mercy's Sake, O Clap Your Hands, Bow Thine Ear, Hosanna To The Son Of David, 3) Music Of The Restoration, Lord, How Long Will Thou Be Angry, Thou Knowest, Lord, Hear My Prayer, O Lord, 4) The Anglican Revival And The Twentieth Century, Beati Quorum Via, This Joyful Eastertide, Sing Lullaby, A Spotless Rose, What Cheer?, O Taste And See, A Hym To The Virgin, Jesus Christ The Apple Tree, Faire Is The Heaven

The Cambridge Singers, directed by John Rutter, bring us English choral music (all a cappella), folk-songs, airs and ballads, from the composers Elgar, Stanford, Delius, Grainger, Vaughan Williams, Holst and Britten. These lovely songs, with names like Delius' "To be sung of a summer night on the water," Williams' "The cloud-capped towers," and Britten's "The succession of the four sweet months," tells us all we need to know about these songs. Soaring, sweet and delightful!

This CD of sacred music dedicated to the Virgin Mary was appropriately recorded in the unique acoustic of the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral(built in 1350) in 1991 by the 28-strong mixed Cambridge Singers. Mary was the object of particularly intense devotion in the early Christian church from 1291 to the 20th century, as these 21 beautiful motets and songs will attest. The liner notes are fine, detailed and extensive. They are divided into 4 parts, "Advent to Candlemas," "Candlemas to Holy Week," "Easter to the Sunday after Pentecost" and Trinity to Advent." The amazing sound of the Singers soars up into the timeless acoustic of the Lady Chapel, and we can only close our eyes and be amazed.

Songlist: Part 1: Advent To Christmas, Alma Redemptoris Candlemas, Ave Virgo Sanctissima, There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue, Ave Maria, Ave Virgo Gloriosa, Part 2: Candlemas To Holy Week, Ave Regina Caelorum, Stabat Mater, Ave Maria, Laudi Alla Vergine Maria, Ave Maria, Dostoino Yest, Part 3: Easter To The Sunday After Pentecost, Regina Caeli Laetare, Regina Caeli, Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary, Hymne A La Vierge, Magnificat, Part 4: Trinity To Advent, Salve Regina, Alleluia. Ave Maria, Vidi Seciosam, Ave Maria, Ave Maria

The Renowned, 31-strong Cambridge Singers have a present for us: 23 songs of Christmas, many of them written, composed and/or arranged by contemporary composer John Rutter, a giant in the Choral world. "Jesus Child," "There Is A Flower," "Donkey Carol," "Wildwood Carol," "Angels' Carol," "Mary's Lullaby" - Rutter's original music is lovely, and the CS are the group to do it justice. Also fine are all the traditional carols like "I Saw Three Ships" and "Joy to the World." The songs are divided into six sections: Prologue, The Christmas Story, Christmas Night, Christmas Reflections, Christmas Joy and Epilog. Most of the songs are accompanied by the London Sinfonia. The liner notes are extensive and beautiful. A monumental achievement for the Cambridge Singers, a generous, spirited and brilliant Christmas CD!

Songlist: Wexford Carol, The Christmas story - Jesus child, There Is a Flower, Donkey Carol, Wild Wood Carol, Angels' Carol, Nativity Carol, Mary's lullaby, Star Carol, Candlelight Carol, Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Christmas lullaby, Dormi, Jesu, Love Came Down at Christmas, Sans Day Carol, I Wonder as I Wander, What Sweeter Music, Joy to the World, I Saw Three Ships, Deck the Hall, The Very Best Time of Year, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Silent Night

Fa la la, a cornucopia of your favorite Madrigals! John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers sing English madrigals and folk songs. As entertainment for public occasions and a relief from boredom, the English madrigal comes in a wide variety of styles from dramatic to silly. This recording includes lighter pieces such as "Now is the Month of Maying" and "My Bonnie Lass She Smileth" by Thomas Morley, the somber "Silver Swan" by Orlando Gibbons and the comical "Fair Phyllis" by John Farmer. In addition, the program includes folk song arrangements by Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughn Williams. A classic recording.

Songlist: Come Away, Sweet Love, Weep, O Mine Eyes, Fair Phyllis I Saw, Now Is The Month Of Maying, Fairwell, Dear Love, April Is In My Mistress' Face, Draw On, Sweet Night, Sing We At Pleasure, My Bonny Lass She Smileth, The Silver Swan, Mother, I Will Have A Husband, Dainty Fine Bird, As Vesta Was from Latmos Hill Descending, I Love My Love, My Sweetheart's Like Venus, Bushes and Briars, The Turtle Dove, The Three Ravens, Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron, O Waly, Waly, Greensleeves

Written in late 2002, in time for a Carnegie Hall performance, performed here by the renowned Cambridge Singers, Cantate Youth Choir and London Sinfonia, and conducted by the composer, the five movements of Rutter's "Mass," are a delight. Following are the lovely "Look at the World," "To every thing there is a season," the joyous "Wings of the Morning" and "A Clare Benediction." Then we have the uplifting "I will sing with the spirit," the flute-accompanied Musica Dei donum," "I my Best-Beloved's am," and finally "Come down, O Love divine." This is beautifully-performed music that fills us with joy and hope, the hope of the children.

Songlist: Mass of the Children:, -Kyrie, -Gloria, -Sanctus and Bendictus, Agnus Dei, -Finale, Look at the world, To every thing there is a season, Wings of the morning, A Clare Benediction, I Will Sing With The Spirit, Music Dei donum, I my Best-Beloved's am, Come down, O Love Divine

Cambridge Singers : Flora Gave Me Fairest Flowers   

The sixteenth-century madrigal was an Italian form. The term 'madrigal' was loosely applied to a wide variety of music, but generally denoted a polyphonic setting for four or more voices of an amorous or pastoral text which was closely depicted in the music. Thomas Morely transplanted the form into England in the 1590s; this marked the beginning of the brief but brilliant flowering of the English madrigal. Between the 1590s and the early 1620s, twenty composers published a total of 36 books of madrigals, after which the form virtually disappeared. Some of these composers, such as Morely and Weelkes, followed the Italian model closely; others, such as Byrd and Gibbons, mostly stayed with the simpler English form of the consort song, where the tune remains in one voice, word-painting is not used, and strophic form is preferred to the continuous structure of the madrigal proper. Among the twenty-one items selected for this recording there are examples of several types of piece, ranging from true Italianate madrigals such as Too much I once lamented, via more popular 'balletts' such as Fyer, fyer!, to the simple part-songs like A little pretty bonny lass. The variety, imagination, and inspired blending of poetry and music characteristic of the best of the 'English Madrigal School' afford a particular kind of delight in performance, shared equally by singer and listener.

Songlist: Hark, all ye lovely saints above, Though Amaryllis dance in green, Round about in a fair ring, Adieu, ye city-prisoning towers, Flora gave me fairest flowers, Sweet Suffolk owl, As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending, Lullabye, This sweet and merry month of May, Now Is The Month Of Maying, A little pretty bonny lass, Fyer, fyer!, Too much I once lamented, My bonny lass she smileth, Ha ha! This world doth pass, Quick, quick, away, dispatch!, Dainty fine bird, Come again! Sweet love doth now invite, Mother, I Will have a husband, Draw on, sweet night, Sleep, fleshly birth, Weep, weep, mine eyes, Death hath deprived me, The silver swan, Adieu, sweet Amaryllis

Francis Poulenc's interest in choral music began in the early 1920's. During his study with the composer Koechlin, he harmonized Bach chorale melodies. This work had a distinct influence on him. It was not until the 1930's that he began to write for the choral medium more seriously. Poulenc wrote many pieces for accompanied and unaccompanied choir. His astonishing music has very twentieth century sounds but is heavily influenced by earlier styles. The "Quatre motets pour un temps de penitence" have a very dark and dramatic intensity much like the pieces of Victoria, who Poulenc often thought about while writing them. The Cambridge Singers have recorded many of his great choral works. This album includes the "Gloria" for soprano solo, mixed choir and orchestra, "Litanies a la Vierge Noire" for female voices, strings and timpani and many of his unaccompanied motets.

Songlist: Gloria:, Gloria, Laudamus Te, Domine Deus, -Domine Fili unigenite, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, Salve Regina, Ave Verum Corpus, Exultate Deo, Litanies a la Vierge Noire, Quatre Motets Pour Un Temps de Penitence:, Timor et tremor, Vinea mea electa, Tenebrae factae sunt, Tristis est anima mea, Quatre Motets Pour le Temps de Noel:, O Magnum Mysterium, Quem vidistis pastores dicite, Videntes stellam, Hodie Christus natus est

This recording presents a selection of fifteen of the 150 or so Latin motets and three of the dozens of English anthems that, between them, form the greater part of the life's work of William Byrd (1543-1623), the greatest English composer of his era. The chosen motets and anthems represent just some of the many facets of Byrd's sacred music, now recognized after three centuries of neglect as among the most glorious every written for choir.

Songlist: Sing Joyfully, Turn our captivity, Praise our Lord, all ye Gentiles, Emendemus in Melius, Siderum Rector, Plorans plorabit, Visita, quaesumus Domine, Attollite portas, Laudibus in Sanctis, Gaudeamus omnes, Ave Verum Corpus, Veni, Sancte Spiritus, Christus resurgens, Solve iubente Deo, O Magnum Mysterium, Non vos relinquam, O quam suavis, Justorum animae

For more than a decade, John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers have shared the Joy of Christmas with the world. The ethereal sound of perfectly blended voices, singing the most beautiful seasonal music ever composed, never fails to touch the heart and lift the spirit. This year, John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers have assembled a new collection - compiled from the archives, including four never before released tracks! Tracks include English Traditional Carols, European Traditional Carols, Choruses and Motets and Composer's Carols.

Songlist: The Holly and the Ivy, Blessed be that maid mary, Somerset Wassail, Shepherds, in the fields abiding, The infant king, What is this lovely fragrance, Gabriel's message, Still, still, still, Quittez, pasteurs, Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle, Personent hodie, The shepherds' farewell, O holy night, O Magnum Mysterium, Hodie Christus natus est, For unto us a child is born, In dulci jubilo, Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child, A New Year Carol, Balulalow, I saw a fair maiden, The Lamb, Fantasia on Christmas Carols

Ever since my musical life began, church music has played a significant and cherished part in it: first as a boy soprano in my school chapel choir, then as a teenage organist, much later as director of the chapel choir at Clare College, Cambridge, and most recently as conductor of the Cambridge Singers, whose recordings and recitals often include sacred music. Given this background, it is almost inevitable that among my compositions there should be a fair amount of church music, most of which has been written in response to commissions and invitations. All of the pieces heard on this recording were primarily intended for use in the context of a church service or festival, originally accompanied (with the exception of the two hymn arrangements with brass fanfares) just by organ or piano. However, I also scored the accompaniments for orchestra, and hope they may find use in this more colorful form. John Rutter

Songlist: Te Deum, Be thou my vision, I believe in springtime, Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace, O be joyful in the Lord, All creatures of our God and King, A choral fanfare, As the bridegroom to his chosen, Christ the Lord is risen again, Thy perfect love, The Lord is my light and my salvation, Go forth into the world in peace, Now thank we all our God

This specially-priced CD includes John Rutter's two most often-performed, larger choral works, previously on two separate recordings. The recording represents two sides of Rutter's choral style - the gentle and introspective Requiem, the bright and joyful Magnificat. Requiem was written in 1985, when Rutter was moved by a personal bereavement.Ê Rutter describes it as "a meditation on themes of life and death using a personal compilation of texts.' Magnificat, written in 1990, premiered in Carnegie Hall. "In countries such as Spain, Mexico and Puerto Rico," writes Rutter, "feast days of the Virgin are joyous opportunities for people to take to the streets and celebrate with singing, dancing and processions. These images of outdoor celebration were, I think, somewhere in my mind as I wrote...." - John Rutter

Songlist: Requiem, - Requiem aeternam, - Pie Jesu, - Sanctus, Agnus Dei, - The Lord is my shepherd, - Lux aeterna, Magnificat, - Magnificat anima mea, - Of a Rose, a lovely Rose, - Quia fecit mihi magna, - Et misericordia, - Fecit potentiam, - Esurientes, - Gloria

The 'fancies' that give this album its title are the fleeting ideas, dreams and whims that flit like Will-o'-the-wisps through the imagination of every artist. I have always thought that they were captured to perfection by the Elizabethan poets and by their collaborators, the madrigal composers such as Weelkes, Wilbye and Morely; and, looking back now on the music heard on this recording, I realize how much of it was inspired by the madrigalian spirit. Fancies was written in 1971 for the Richard Hickox Singers and Orchestra (the orchestra was later renamed the City of London Sinfonia, who play on this recording). The first performance was given in London, repeated shortly afterwards at an open-air concert one lovely summer's evening by the River Thames in rural Berkshire, a perfect setting for it. The Suite Antique, dating from 1979, also has a Berkshire association: I was asked to write it for the Cookham Festival, to be peformed by Duke Dobing and the London Baroque Soloists at a concert in Cookham Parish Church. Bach's Fifth Brandenburg Concerto was on the programme, so I decided to write for the same combination of instruments, and to pay musical homage to the forms and styles of Bach's day. - John Rutter

Songlist: Fancies, Tell me where is fancy bred, There is a garen in her face, The urchins' dance, Riddle song, Midnight's bell, The bellman's song, Suite Antique, Prelude, Ostinato, Aria, Waltz, Chanson, Rondeau, Five Childhood Lyrics, Monday's child, The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, Windy nights, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Sing A Song Of Sixpence, When Icicles Hang, Icicles, Winter nights, Good ale, Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, Winter wakeneth all my care, Hay, ay

This recording is a choral tribute to the sacred music of two visionary composers who, among their other achievements, made distinctive, lasting and much-cherished contributions to the musical repertory of the English Church. There are many links between Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) and Herbert Howells (1892-1983), the most obvious being that from 1912 to 1916 Howells was one of Stanford's many composition students at the Royal College of Music in London, where Howells was himself later to teach composition for over fifty years. Both men were outstanding teachers, Stanford in particular being virtually father to a whole generation of British composers, including Vaughn Williams, Holst, Bridge, Butterworth, Bliss, Ireland and Gurney. With the exception of the Howells Requiem and the two sacred part-songs, the music heard on this recording was intended for use in the church, in the context of the Anglican liturgy. As such, much of it is familiar and well-loved within Anglican circles but all too little-known elsewhere. It deserves to be more widely appreciated on its own considerable merits.- John Rutter

Songlist: Magnificat in G, Magnificat, Magnificat in B flat, Nunc Dimittis in B flat, O for a closer walk, Like as the Hart, The fear of the Lord, Requiem, Salvator mundi, Psalm 2, Requiem aeternam, Psalm 121, I Heard A Voice From Heaven, When Mary thro' the garden went, Long, long ago, Te Deum in C, All My Hope on God is founded

The programme of music on this album is chosen from eight Collegium recordings, illustrating something of the range and scope of the choir's work, which is deliberately not restricted to any one period or style. Sacred and secular, historic and contemporary, a cappella and accompanied music have all found a place in the Cambridge Singers' growing discography, and several recordings feature music by John Rutter. Guest artists the King's Singers join forces with narrator Richard Baker and the City of London Sinfonia under the baton of Richard Hickox for an extract from John Rutter's musical fable based on The Wind in the Willows, which has been performed at many King's Singers concerts; and the City of London Sinfonia are heard on their own in the Waltz movement from another Rutter piece, the Suite Antique for flute, harpsichord and strings.

The Cambridge Singers, directed by John Rutter, bring us English choral music (all a cappella), folk-songs, airs and ballads, from the composers Elgar, Stanford, Delius, Grainger, Vaughan Williams, Holst and Britten. These lovely songs, with names like Delius' "To be sung of a summer night on the water," Williams' "The cloud-capped towers," and Britten's "The succession of the four sweet months," tells us all we need to know about these songs. Soaring, sweet and delightful!

Songlist: The Bluebird, To Be Sung A Summer Night On The Water I, To Be Sung A Summer Night On The Water II, There Is Sweet Music, My Love Dwelt In A Northern Land, Full Fathom Five, The Cloud-Capp'd Towers, Over Hill, Over Dale, The Sailor And Young Nancy, Brigg Fair, Londonderry Air, The Three Ravens, My Sweetheart's Like Venus, The Oak And The Ash, Quick! We Have But A Second, To Daffodils, The Succession Of The Four Sweet Months, Marsh Flowers, The Evening Primrose, Ballad Of Green Broom

Directed by the legendary John Rutter,the 41-strong, angel-voiced Cambridge Singers bring us a 40-part motet by Tallis, "Miserere" by Allegri, "Singet dem Herrn" by Bach, "Fest- und Gedenkspruche" by Brahms, and works by Guerrero, Phillips, Caldara, Scheidt and Mendelssohn. All are sung in the soaring polychoral (multiple choirs) style of the Christian church of the 16th and 17th centuries. There is some accompaniment, Helen Gough on baroque cello, William Hunt on violone and Wayne Marshall on chamber organ, but it is spare, the main focus being on the voices and sounds coming from different points in space, what appears to be an early attempt at stereo or quadrophonic sound without speakers. The extensive liner notes give us the words and much information about the polychoral style and about each composer's work. Beautiful!

Songlist: Duo Seraphim, Miserere Mei, Deus, Crucifixus, Surrexit Pastor Bonus, Spem In Alium Nunquam Habui, Ave Regina Caelorum, Unsere Vater Hofften Auf Dich, Wie Ein Starker Gewappneter, Wo Ist Ein So Herrlich Volk, Mitten Wir Im Leben Sind, Heilig, Singet Dem Herrn, Wie Sich Ein Vater Erbarmet, Lobet Den Herrn In Seinen Taten-Alles Was Odem Hat

John Rutter directs the 28-strong Cambridge Singers in the inspiring setting of the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral, gathering together 23 examples of English sacred a cappella choral music drawn from several centuries. Some pieces, such as the Taverner "Christe Jesu, pastor bone," or the Howells' "Nunc dimittis," were written for the Catholic liturgy; most of the English anthems were for the Anglican rite; but such pieces as Tomkins' "When David heard," Morley's "Nolo mortem peccatoris" and Amner's "Come, let's rejoice" were probably intended for domestic performance. In all cases, the beauty of the music transcends ancient politics and the years themselves, as it always must!

Songlist: Rejoice In The Lord, Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences, Come, Let's Rejoice, When David Heard, I Sat Down Under His Shadow, These Are They That Follow The Lamb, Christe Jesu, Pastor Bone, O Beatum Et Sacrosanctum Diem, Nunc Dimittis, O Vos Omnes, Factum Est Silentium, Justorum Animae, Hail, Gladdening Light, A Hymn To The Mother Of God, Hymn For The Dormition Of The Mother Of God, They Are At Rest, A Litany, Nolo Mortem Peccatoris, O Nata Lux, Loving Sheperd Of Thy Sheep, The Lord's Prayer, In Manus Tuas, Bring Us, O Lord God

In the first paragraph of the 32-page liner notes to "A Cappella" we learn that "a cappella," translated from the Italian, means "in the style of the chapel," probably a reference to the Sistine Chapel in Rome, where a tradition of unaccompanied singing has gone on since the Renaissance. Although the meaning of the term has since expanded to include unaccompanied secular music, it's clear that the Cambridge Singers hold to the original meaning, as none of the music on this CD would sound out of place under the Sistine's famous ceiling. Directed by the renowned John Rutter, the CS bring us the finest sacred music, first 11 songs from England and Germany, then 14 songs from France, all written in the 19th and 20th centuries. We have Britten's "Hymn to St. Cecilia," four songs from Brahms' "Vier Lieder aus dem Jungbrunnen," five songs from Schuman's "Vier doppelchorige Gesange, Op. 141," R.L. Pearsall's "Lay a Garland," Frederick Delius' "The Splendour Falls on Castle Walls," Ravel's "Trois Chansons," Debussy's "Trois Chansons de Charles d'Orleans," and eight songs from "Chansons Francaises." As most of the lyrics are in German or French, it's nice to have the extensive liner notes with all the words and translations. Beautiful music, angelically sung!

Songlist: Hymn To St. Cecilia, Nun Stehn Die Rosen In Blute, Die Berfe Sind Spitz, Am Wildbachen Die Weiden, Und Gehst Du Uber Den Kirchhof, An Die Sterne, Ungewisses Licht, Zuversicht, Talismane, Lay A Garland, The Splendour Falls On Castle Walls, Nicolette, Trois Beaux Oiseaux Du Paradis, Ronde, Dieu! Qu'il La Fait A Bon Regarder, Quant J'ai Ouy Le Tabourin, Yver, Vous N'estes Qu'un Villain, Magoton Va T'a L'iau, La Belle Se Sied Au Pied De La Tour, Pilons I'orge, Clic, Clac, Dansez Sabots, C'est La Petit' Fill' Du Prince, La Belle Si Nous Etions, Ah! Mon Beau Laboureur, Les Tisserands

Generations of composers have created a remarkable body of choral literature, inspired by the events in the life of Christ. John Rutter directs the 29-strong Cambridge Singers in a cappella renditions of some of the most beautiful works from this body, divided into five groups. In the first group, "The Coming of Christ," we have pieces by E.C. Bairstow, da Palestrina and Handl, as well as a Sarum chant, "Veni, Redemptor gentium." In the second group, "Words of Christ," we find pieces by Heinrich Schutz, P.I. Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Stravinsky. In the third group, "The Passion of Christ," we have works by Anton Bruckner, da Palestrina, T.L. de Victoria, Pablo Casals and Antonio Lotti. In the fourth group, "Resurrection and Ascension," there are pieces by Peter Phillips, da Palestrina and William Bird. And in the fifth group, "Christ in the Eucharist," we have works by T.L. de Victoria, Richard Dering, Samuel Barber, Olivier Messiaen and a lovely Gregorian chant, "Pange Lingua." The 24-page liner notes contain all words and translations. Let us find an imaginary place in the cathedral and hear the soaring praises to the remarkable man for whom it was built!

Songlist: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Veni, Redemptor Gentium, Hodie Christus Natus Est, Omnes De Saba Venient, Ich Bin ein Rechter Weinstock, The Crown Of Roses, Vo Tsarstvii Tvoyem (The Beatitudes), Pater Noster, Christus Factus Est, Good Friday, Reproaches (Improperia), Eram Quasi Agnus, O Vos Omnes, Crucifixus (For Eight Voices), Surgens Jesus, Ascendo Ad Patrem, Viri Galilaei, Jesu, Dulcis Memoria, Ave Verum Corpus, Pange Lingua, Agnus Dei, O Sacrum Convivium

This tranquil program is a selection of pieces from classic Cambridge Singers recordings. From Gregorian chant through the twentieth century this CD includes Allegri's "Miserere," "Draw on Sweet Night" by John Wilbye, "Tantum Ergo" by Gabriel Faure and "What Sweeter Music" by John Rutter. Most of these pieces are a cappella, with the others being accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia. This recording is a great addition to a peaceful moment.

Songlist: Adoro Te Devote, Pie Jesu, Visita, Quaesumus Domine, Draw On, Sweet Night, O Can Ye Sew Cushions, The Silver Swan, Down By The Sally Gardens, In Manus Tuas, Miserere, Tantum Ergo, Justorum Animae, O Quam Suavis, Laudi Alla Vergine Maria, Alma Redemptoris Mater, What Sweeter Music

Recorded in 1981 shortly after the Cambridge Singers formation, "Christmas Star" then quickly disappeared, as the master tapes were lost. However, the original digital version was found in 1996. Therefore, the Cambridge Singers first Christmas release can once again be heard. Directed by John Rutter, whose standard of taste and excellence is of legendary repute, this multivoice classical ensemble has a pure and weightless tone and broad dynamic range, from pianissimo to forte. With arrangements also by Rutter, the carols are mostly familiar, such as "I Wander As I Wander," "Ding Dong! Merrily On High" and "What Child Is This," but there are a few rarities: "O Little One Sweet," and "Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime."

Songlist: Good Christian Men, Rejoice, I Wonder As I Wander, All My Heart This Night Rejoices, Silent Night, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Three Kings Of Orient, How Great Our Joy, Angels We Have Heard On High, Joy To The World, Away In A Manger, Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, What Child Is This?, 'Twas In The Moon Of Winter Time, O Little One Sweet, Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Away In A Manger, Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow, The Christmas Song, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, O Come, All Ye Faithful

Choral fans will be very excited about the meeting of two of the most versatile musical minds of their generation, Rutter and Bennett in a CD that is Gramophone Magazine's Editor's Choice for May 2005 and on many lists for Choral disc of the year. The title work, "Sea Change," set to texts by Shakespeare, Andrew Marvell and Edmund Spenser, is 4 pieces, sometimes Britten-esque, dramatic, swirling, agitated, emotional, dissonant and always interesting. "A Farewell to Arms," written for the ensemble VocalEssence for a cappella choir and solo cello, are poignant poems of an old soldier's recollection of war. "A Good-Night " is a lovely motet written in memory of Linda McCartney. The last 8 tracks feature some of Bennett's most accessible works, which happen to be Christmas songs. "There is no rose," "Out of your sleep," "That younge child," "Sweet was the song," "Susanni," "Lullay mine liking" and "What sweeter music" are simply beautiful. The Cambridge Singers, directed by Rutter, are perfect, handling this difficult material with ease. "Sea Change" is a rare, very special recording!

Songlist: The Isle Is Full of Noises, The Bermudas, The Waves Come Rolling, Full Fathom Five, A Farewell To Arms, A Good-Night, Verses, Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, There Is No Rose, Out of Your Sleep, That Younge Child, Sweet Was the Song, Susanni, Lullay Mine Liking, What Sweeter Music, Puer Nobis

21 favorite Rutter anthems, taken from classic Cambridge recordings. The talented, prolific (29 excellent CDs in the Primarily A Cappella catalog) 33-strong, mixed-voice Cambridge Singers were founded by John Rutter after he gave up his position as Director of Music at Clare College, Cambridge in 1979, to allow himself more time for composition. Here are 21 of Rutter's finest Christian anthems, culled from the many fine recordings by the Singers. The title tune, "Open thou mine eyes," the lovely "Wings of the morning," the triumphant "O be joyful in the Lord," "All things bright and beautiful," "As the bridegroom to his chosen," the soaring "Loving Shepherd of thy sheep," "O clap your hands," "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace," "God be in my head," "Thy perfect love" - these are all joyful, positive songs of worship and celebration, the best of everything we love about John Rutter and his Singers. Some accompaniment. "Be Thou My Vision" is a winning, inspirational collection!

Songlist: Be thou my vision, Open thou mine eyes, I Will Sing With The Spirit, A Gaelic Blessing, Wings of the morning, O be joyful in the Lord, All things bright and beautiful, I will lift up mine eyes, As the bridegroom to his chosen, A Prayer of Saint Patrick, Loving Shepherd of thy sheep, Look at the world, O clap your hands, The Lord is my light and my salvation, Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace, I believe in springtime, God Be in My Head, A Clare Benediction, For The Beauty Of The Earth, Thy perfect love, The Lord bless you and keep you

The music heard on this recording represents a cross-section of the sacred choral pieces I have written over a period of some twelve years. Two paramount considerations have shaped it: first, the performers and occasions it was commissioned for, and second, the texts (which I always choose with great deliberation). Gloria, the most substantial piece, was written as a concert work. The Latin text, drawn from the Ordinary of the Mass, is a centuries-old challenge to the composer: exalted, devotional and jubilant by turns. My setting, which is based mainly on one of the Gregorian chants associated with the text, divides into three movements roughly corresponding with traditional symphonic structure. The other pieces are all anthems, primarily intended for use in the context of a church service. They range in difficulty from very simple to fairly challenging, though it was my hope in writing them that none would be beyond the reach of a capable church choir. Although the accompaniments were originally for organ (or, in the case of For the beauty of the earth and All things bright and beautiful, for piano), I enjoyed scoring them for orchestra and prefer them in this form. The three unaccompanied pieces, however, (God be in my head, Open thou mine eyes, and A prayer of Saint Patrick) reflect my love of the a cappella medium.

Songlist: First Movement: Allegro vivace, Second Movement: Andante, Third Movement: Vivace e ritmico, O clap your hands, All things bright and beautiful, The Lord is my shepherd, A Gaelic Blessing, For The Beauty Of The Earth, Praise ye the Lord, God be in my head, Open thou mine eyes, A prayer of Saint Patrick, The Lord bless you and keep you

"For children growing up in postwar England as I did, traditional songs still form a common musical currency. These songs brought me delight and pleasure then, and they still do now, though pleasure has become tinged with nostalgia because, for the most part, they are forgotten and gone from our lives, perhaps forever. This album is an affectionate tribute to their composers and poets; a few were renowned, most were obscure or unknown, but the songs they created were famous, and I remember them fondly." - John Rutter

Songlist: The Bold Grenadier, The Keel Row, The Willow Tree, The Sprig Of Thyme, Down By The Sally Gardens, The Cuckoo, I Know Where I'm Going, Willow Song, O Can You Sew Cushions, The Miller Of Dee, Im Herbst, The Girl I Left Behind Me, O Waly, Waly, The British Grenadiers, Golden Slumbers, Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron, The Lark In The Clear Air, She's Like The Swallow, Searching For The Lambs, The Dark Eyed Sailor, The Spring Time Of The Year, Just As The Tide Was Flowing, The Lover' Ghost, Wassail Song, She Moved Through The Fair

The music on "Collection" embraces both Rutter's sacred and a little of his secular work, most of it commissioned by choirs for specific occasions. "Shepherd's Pipe Carol" (1966) is the earliest piece; "Angels' carol" (1988) and "What Sweeter Music," (written in 1988 for the King's College Choir), are lovely carols. "For the Beauty of the Earth" (1980), "All things bright and beautiful" (1983), "Open Thou Mine Eyes" (1980), A choral fanfare," (1989), "A Prayer of St. Patrick," (1983), "O be joyful in the Lord," (1984), and "A Gaelic Blessing" were all commissioned by American Choirs. Two longer and more ambitious festival anthems, "Behold, the tabernacle of God" and the lovely "O praise the Lord of heaven," are favorites. Secular songs "My true love hath my heart" and "Sing a song of sixpence" exist harmoniously with excepts from Rutter's larger works, "Out of the deep," "Pie Jesu" and "The Lord is my shepherd." Rutter's work never fails to touch us, no matter if sung by any number of childrens' choirs, or by a powerful, veteran ensemble like the Cambridge Singers, whose a cappella cuts, "Open Thou Mine Eyes," "My true love hath my heart," "A choral fanfare," "A prayer for St. Patrick," "Mathew, Mark, Luke and John" and "Sing a Song of Sixpence" are standouts. Accompaniment, understated to heavy and dramatic, is provided by the City of London Sinfonia. A remarkable collection of 22 songs by one of the great composers, conducted by the master himself!

Songlist: For The Beauty Of The Earth, The Lord Is My Shepard, All Things Bright And Beautiful, Shepherd's Pipe Carol, The Lord Bless You And Keep You, Open Thou Mine Eyes, My True Love Hath My Heart, Esurients, Gloria Patri, Out Of The Deep, Pie Jesu, What Sweeter Music, A Choral Fanfare, A Prayer Of St. Patrick, O Be Joyful In The Lord, Behold, The Tabernacle Of God, O Praise The Lord Of Heaven, A Gaelic Blessing, Angel's Carol, Matthew, Mark, Luke, And John, Sing A Song Of Sixpence, Go Forth Into The World Of Peace

The service of Compline is the last of the seven daily services observed in monastic communities, taking place immediately before bedtime. This CD gathers together 18 of the many lovely a cappella choral motets, mainly from the Renaissance period, which were written to adorn the evening worship of the church. Composers featured include William Byrd, Orlando de Lassus, John Sheppard and others. In some traditions it became the custom to include a Motet of the Virgin Mary within Compline. Here we have four examples by de Victoria and a beautiful Ave Maria by Rachmaninov. The Cambridge Singers, directed by John Rutter, sing as well as ever and the clear and cool acoustic of the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral make it the perfect setting for Compline. In addition there is a 22 minute bonus disc in which the Office of Compline, sung in English with its traditional chants, is given in its entirety with John Harte as Reader and Simon Wall as Precentor.

Songlist: In Pace, Libera Nos, Salva Nos, Justorum Animae, Pastor Noster, O Lord, The Maker Of All Thing, Visita, Quaesumus Domine, Abendlied, O Christ Who Art The Light And Day, O Gladsome Light, Te Lucis Ante Terminum, Alma Redemptoris Mater, Ave Regina Caelorum, Regina Caeli Laetare, Ave Maria, Bogoroditsye Dyevo, In Manus Tuas, In Manus Tuas

"The aim of this recording is to evoke a sense of the winter season, as reflected in some of the infinitely varied music inspired by it. Christmas inevitably lies at the heart of this wonderful melange of scared and secular, spiritual and convivial, poetic and earthy." - John Rutter. A compilation of tracks from 1982 thru 2003, mostly recorded in the Great Hall of University College School, London where the exquisite acoustics showcases the voices of the choir to perfection. A most enjoyable Christmas collection indeed!

Songlist: Candlelight Carol, O magnum mysterium, Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, Puer nobis, Of a Rose, a lovely Rose, Lullay mine liking, In the bleak mid-winter, Away in a manger, Wild Wood Carol, Videntes stellam, Chanson, What Sweeter Music, Veni Redemptor gentium, Hodie Christus natus est, Hodie Christus natus est, Angels we have heard on high, What cheer?, Wassail song, Good Ale, The Very Best Time of Year

Whether you have a couple dozen albums of English choral music or whether you're looking for an introduction to English choral music, this two CD collection is a must. This is all unaccompanied music, sung in a cathedral chapel acoustically suited for such music. The first disc has four primary sections: Music of the Latin Rite; Music of the Reformation; Music of the Restoration; and Anglican Revival and the twentieth century. The most famous composers in English music history -- Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons -- combine with later masters such as Purcell, Stanford, Howells, Walton, Britten and Vaughan Williams to form a truly masterful collection. On the second disc, there are six Latin motets, set by composers such as Taverner, Howells, Stanford, Vaughan Williams, Philips and Dering. Anthens and Introits include notables Tomkins and Purcell, and lesser-known composers such as Amner, Bairstow and Goss. Hymns span the range from old to modern, including a hymn by John Rutter himself. The disc ends with three prayer settings, including one by the underappreciated John Sheppard, and another from William Harris, whose hymn serves as the title to the companion disc. These anthems and hymns show a powerful range of music, yet show a consistent tone also that makes it rather distinctive of the music of the English church. The group's power and grace is second to none, particularly when singing this kind of music in a place such as Ely Cathedral, arguably the most natural of settings possible.

Songlist: Ave Maria, Loquebantur variis linguis, Miserere mei, Haec dies, Ave verum corpus, If Ye Love Me, Hide not thou thy face, Lord, for thy tender mercy's sake, O clap your hands, Bow thine ear, Hosanna to the Son of David, Lord, how long wilt thou be angry, Tho knowest, lord, Hear my prayer, O Lord, Beati quorum via, This joyful Eastertide, Sing Lullaby, A Spotless Rose, What cheer?, O taste and see, A Hymn to the Virgin, Jesus Christ the apple tree, Faire is the heaven, Rejoice in the Lord, Remember not, Lord, our offences, Come, let's rejoice, When David heard, I say down under his shadow, These are they that follow the Lamb, Christe Jesu, pastor bone, and more

The first all-new Christmas recording from John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers for almost 20 years. John Rutter directs the Cambridge Singers, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the award-winning Farnham Youth Choir alongside guest soloists Melanie Marshall, Clara Sanabras and Elin Manahan Thomas, for an unforgettable festival of Christmas music.

Songlist: O Come, All Ye Faithful, Gaudete, The Shepherd's Carol, Nos Galan, I Wonder As I Wander, Ave Maria, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Rejoice And Be Merry, El Noi De La Mare, A Christmas Overture, Born On A New Day, Magical Kingdom, Mary's Boy Child, Esta Noche, Sleigh Ride, The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, New Year, I Wish You Christmas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

A new recording by John Rutter and his Cambridge Singers is always welcome, and this one features 20 works drawn from the sacred choral repertoire of the Renaissance and Baroque. Most of these are motets and many are familiar (Palestrina's Sicut cervus and Exsultate Deo, Gabrieli's Jubilate Deo, Lassus' Timor et tremor, Josquin's Ave Maria) and all are included in Rutter's published anthology, European Sacred Music (Oxford). As Rutter states, the program's theme is to focus on the "wealth of sacred music...created in continental Europe out of the ferment of the age of Reformation", and while Rutter has chosen primarily works resulting from the "extraordinary flowering" of musical activity in the Catholic church during this period, we also are treated to a motet by Bach (O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht BWV 118/231, often mis-classified as a cantata), a Magnificat (presumably) by Buxtehude, and a psalm (100) by Schutz.

Songlist: Jubilate Deo, Beatus Vir, Christe, Adoramus te, Cantate Domino, Sicut Cervus, Exsultate Deo, Christus Factus Est, O Vos Omnes, Timor Et Tremor, Ave Verum Corpus, Laudate Dominum, Magnificat, Jesu, Dulcis Memoria, O Vos Omnes, Crux Fidelis, Ave Maria, Dixit Maria, Psalm 100, Selig Sind Die Toten, O Jesu Christ, Meins Lebens Licht

Described as "phenomenal" (The Times) and "devastatingly beautiful" (Gramophone Magazine), the BBC Music Magazine Award award-winning choir Tenebrae, under the direction of Nigel Short, one of the world's finest vocal ensembles renowned for its passion and precision return to disc on Signum with a sumptuous album of Carols, Hymns and other celebratory works for Christmas. Among the composers to feature on this disc are John Gardner, Peter Warlock, Philip Ledger and Arnold Bax, A singer of great acclaim, Nigel Short was a member of the world-renowned vocal ensemble The King's Singers from 1994-2000. Upon leaving the group, he formed Tenebrae, a virtuosic choir that embraced his dedication to passion and precision.

Songlist: O All Ye Works of the Lord, The Tree of Life, Hymn to the Creator of Life, O Lord, How Manifold Are Thee, The Gift of Each Day, Believe In Life, Give the King Thy Judgements, O God, A Flower Remembered, The Quest, Psalm 150, Christ Is the Morning Star, All Bells in Paradise, Rejoice and Sing

Rutter's Requiem, from 1985, is wildly popular among modern choirs, audiences, and record shoppers. It is offered here in the world premiere recording of its chamber version, making what is considered a concert piece more suitable for liturgical purposes or intimate venues. This, along with many of his other works, has a direct, uncluttered, almost folksy air to it, while hardly ever lapsing into banality. Just when you begin to think, "Ah, I've heard this kind of stuff before", up Rutter comes with some ingenious device or harmonic twist that grabs even the most jaded ear. And he knows how to hold such a comparatively larger-scale composition together, too. This is one of Rutter's finest and most convincing works. It consoles, implores, worships, affirms, reassures, and mystifies-everything that a good requiem is supposed to do. Instrumental accompaniment (single flute, oboe, cello, harp, and timpani, plus percussion) is spare, but expert and tasteful. Rutter has a long and fruitful history with the Clare College Choir, having led them himself in quite a few outstanding recordings. They perform here with their usual depth, sensitivity, technical finesse, and bright, clear sound.

Songlist: Requiem Aeternam Out Of The Deep, Pie Jesu, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, The Lord Is My Shepard, Lux aeterna, Advent Anthem, Anthem, Musicca Dei Donum, Two Blessings

When you have one of England's premiere choirs being directed by one of England's foremost director while singing some of the finest traditional carols then you most certainly have yourself a wonderful holiday recording. Noted baritone Simon Vaughn is featured and many of the songs are accompanied by the Clare College Orchestra.

Songlist: Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Infant holy, infant lowly, Angel Tidings, Quelle est cette odeur agreable, Once in Royal David's City, Il est ne le divin enfant, I saw three ships, In dulci jubilo, Nativity Carol, Quem pastores laudavere, Rocking, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Here we come a-wassailing, The Coming of our King, O come, O come, Immanuel, The Infant King, Sheperds'Noel, Noel nouvelet, O little town of Bethlehem, Gabriel's Message, Sans Day Carol, Stille Nacht, Flemish Carol, Past three a clock

Bringing together the voices of adults and children, Rutter's Mass of the Children is scored for mixed choir, soprano and baritone soloists, orchestra, and the irresistible charm of a children's choir. Rutter's skilful writing for these forces together with his sensitive interweaving of both the Latin Mass texts and Thomas Ken's renowned morning and evening hymns for Winchester College, gives the whole work the framework of a complete day, from waking to sleeping. This has resulted in one of his finest and most moving works to date.

Songlist: Mass of the Children, Shadows, Wedding Canticle

Perhaps Britian's very best choir performs the works of perhaps Britian's very best living choral composer. Certainly a wonderful match this pairing makes for a great recording and worthy of every fan's collection. This CD contains a stellar cross-section of Rutter's work. He combines the melodic simplicity of Bach with a distinctly modern sensibility. The combined effect of the music's sheer beauty, the exquisite skill of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the magisterial hush of the King's College Chapel make for an ethereal and thoroughly transformative musical experience.

Songlist: Requiem, Veni Sancte Spiritus, What Sweeter Music, Hymn To The Creator Of Light, Cantate Domino, Cantus, Te Deum

Conductor and composer John Rutter has worked in many facets of music, but is best known for his work in the choral realm. On this recording his work is interpreted by the Nordic Chamber Choir led by Nicol Matt. This dynamic CD shows the stylistic and subject variety found in Rutter's music. The first set of five sacred pieces includes the amazingly beautiful wedding song, "I my Best-Beloved's am," which combines sacred Latin texts with an English love poem, the jubilant "Cantate Domino" and virtuosic "Deck the hall." The set of Birthday Madrigals, written for jazz pianist George Shearing combine madrigal era texts in very jazzy settings, three of them include double-bass. The recording is rounded out with five settings of traditional songs and five childhood lyrics.

Songlist: Five sacred Pieces:, I my Best Beloved's am, Cantate Domino, Musica Dei Donum, Deck the Hall, Hymn to the Creator of Light, Birthday Madrigals:, It was a lover and his lass, Draw on, sweet night, Come live with me, My true love hath my heart, When daisies pied, Five traditional Songs:, The girl I left behind me, O waly, waly, The British Grenadiers, Golden slumbers, Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron, Five Childhood Lyrics:, Monday's child, The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, Windy nights, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Sing A Song Of Sixpence

Gloria (a concert work, despite the use of a religious text) was commissioned by the Voices of Mel Olson in Omaha, Nebraska, who invited Rutter to direct the first performance in 1974. The words come from the second section (the Hymn of Praise) of the Ordinary of the Mass, which in the liturgy follows the 'Kyrie'. The familiar opening words are those of the angels proclaiming the birth of Jesus, as found in the second chapter of Luke's Gospel. Rutter's setting is based largely on one of the Gregorian chants with which the text is associated. He describes the three movements as 'roughly corresponding to traditional symphonic structure', the mood of the sections being respectively 'exalted, devotional and jubilant by turns'. The use of organ, brass and percussion makes for plenty of Waltonian punch in the outer movements and yet also for a hauntingly ethereal middle section. 'Delicious performances of Rutter's wonderfully approachable and finely crafted vocal writing. The sound, too, is outstanding' (Gramophone)

Songlist: Gloria I : Allegro vivace, Gloria II : Andante, Gloria III : Vivace e ritmico, Come down, O Love divine, Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace, To everything there is a season, I my Best-Beloved's am, Praise the Lord, O my soul, I Will Sing With The Spirit, As the bridegroom to his chosen, A Clare Benediction, The Lord is my light and my salvation, Go forth into the world, Thy perfect love, Te Deum

John Rutter composed his Requiem in 1985. The work follows the precedents of Brahms and Faure in using carefully selected texts in place of much of the standard Missa Pro defunctis sequence. The resulting composition has an arch-like formal structure within which is contained some of Rutter's most haunting (and, in the case of 'The Lord is my shepherd', well known) choral music to date. Also included are two items from the Birthday madrigals collection composed in honour of the jazz pianist George Shearing, and eight further sacred works. The double-choir Hymn to the Creator of Light is a wonderful composition, far removed from the romantic style with which Rutter has sometimes been associated; 'A disc to delight all those who admire Rutter's choral writing. Full of delights and with something for everyone. Certainly a must!' (Organists' Review)

Songlist: Requiem, Requiem aeternam, Out of the deep, Pie Jesu with ROSA MANNION soprano, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, The Lord is my shepherd, Lux aeterna with ROSA MANNION soprano, Hymn to the Creator of Light, God be in my head, A Gaelic Blessing, Cantate Domino, Open thou mine eyes, A Prayer of Saint Patrick, A Choral Fanfare, Draw on, sweet night, My true love hath my heart, The Lord bless you and keep you

The performances are uniformly excellent; Stephen Layton and his Polyphony vocal ensemble have shown a previous affinity for Rutter's work and this effort simply reaffirms their commitment to and love for this very special music. With the first notes of the joyous "Shepherd's Pipe Carol," we know that Christmas is coming and John Rutter is the man when it comes to Christmas music! And on "Music," we have 22 of Rutter's finest carols, lullabyes and other Christmas songs, sung by talented mixed ensemble Polyphony, conducted by Stephen Layton and accompanied on most tunes by the City of London Sinfonia. Favorites are the wistful, unaccompanied "There is a Flower," "Sans Day Carol," "I wonder as I wander," the lilting, joyful "Jesus Child," "The very best time of year," "Angel Tidings," "Christmas Lullabye," the exciting "Star Carol," "Carol of the Children," "Mary's Lullabye," "Angels' Carol" and the final cut, "Donkey Carol." A very special Christmas collection, sure to become some of your family's favorite music of the season! Beautiful, extensive liner notes, with a wonderful painting of the Three Wise Men on the cover. Outstanding.

Songlist: Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Nativity Carol, There is a Flower, Sans Day Carol, What Sweeter Music, I wonder as I wander, Jesus Child, Wild Wood Carol, The Very Best Time of Year, Away in a Manger, Angel Tidings, Christmas Lullaby, Dormi Jesu, Love came down at Christmas, Star Carol, Carol of the Children, Mary's Lullaby, Silent Night, Angels' Carol, Candlelight Carol, Second Amen, Donkey Carol