The John Rutter Christmas Album

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
The John Rutter Christmas Album brings together most of the composer's Christmas songs and carols as well as several of his festive choral arrangements, including a rousing "Joy to the World" and the energetic "I saw three ships". Most of the 23 tracks have been taken from extant discs on Rutter's Collegium label although two, "Dormi, Jesu" and "Sans Day carol", were recorded especially for this release.

Rutter's first two published compositions, written while he was still a teenager, were Christmas pieces for choir, namely the glorious "Nativity Carol" and the infectious "Shepherd's Pipe Carol". Although very different in character, these two carols (for which Rutter also wrote the test) display the composer's sense of joy and wonder at the Christmas story. More than 30 years later, those sentiments are still there in pieces such as the melting "Dormi, Jesu", commissioned by King's College, Cambridge for the 1999 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Under the direction of the composer, the youthful voices of the Cambridge Singers are on sparkling form, as are the City of London Sinfonia and vocal soloists Gerald Finley and Stephen Varcoe. This album deserves to be played over and over--and not just at Christmas. --Rebecca Agnew

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Customer reviews

review by: stanwoods3 date: 2008-03-07 rating:
Christmas Joy
I thought this CD had got lost in our recent house move and was delighted when it turned up in one the last boxes to be opened. I immediately rushed to listen again even though it is early March and am once again entranced by the warmth and beauty of the music and the singing. You really can play this CD anytime in the year and that is what I am doing now! If you buy it you will not be disappointed!

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review by: date: 2007-12-22 rating:
WOW - A 'must have' for Christmas
This CD is just fantastic - be blown away by The Cambridge Singers renditions of John Rutter's Christmas album - the definative version of some of the prettiest and most lyrical Christmas choral music you will ever hear. I just keep playing it over and over again.

Choir members will be inspired to get out their music to re-visit any of these beautiful carols they have sung in the past.

This would make the perfect stocking filler for anyone who appreciates choral singing from a choirboy to your grandmother - or just indulge yourself.

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review by: date: 2007-11-20 rating:
Beautiful CD.
The more technical merits have already been pointed out. I have this on in the background now as its very relaxing. I recommend this as a Christmas treat to yourself, it is like being at an upmarket Carol concert (in a good way!) and when the music stops you find yourself putting it on again and again.


review by: date: 2002-12-26 rating:
John Rutter's Box of Delights
This compilation of some of John Rutter's work should be in everyone's Christmas stocking. With sixteen of his own original creations he has added seven arrangements he has made of traditional Christmas music and that written by other composers. What is useful is the grouping of the music into parts - Prologue, The Christmas Story, Christmas Night, Christmas Reflections, Christmas Joy and Epilogue - which allows the listener to select a long or short programme if required.
The performances, drawn from sources spanning the years 1985 to 2002, are sheer delight from beginning to end. The Cambridge Singers, with soloists Ruth Holton, Gerald Finlay and Stephen Varcoe, excel with the various moods and rhythms throughout, and the City of London Sinfonia adds stylish and colourful support. The direction of this wonderful festival of music for Christmas is in the capable hands of John Rutter himself who inspires his singers and players.
If I were to single out any items from the programme, who could possibly resist the lilting rhythms of `Jesus child' and the `Donkey Carol', and the jaunty bounce of `We wish you a merry Christmas'? On the reflective side, the various lullabies all receive sensitive performances.
If you are looking for the perfect combination of joy and reverence, not only at Christmas but at any time of year, you could not possibly rival this CD.

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Similar products

The Choral Collection
The John Rutter Collection
The Christmas Album
John Rutter: Music for Christmas
Rutter - Be Thou My Vision

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