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

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