Customer Reviews

Be Thou My Vision

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I sought a recording of Rutter's beautiful hymn, "Wings of the Morning", after we sang this lovely tune in church and this was the only CD I could find that contained it.

This collection includes many of Rutter's church hymns recorded over a period of 20 years performed by The Cambridge Singers, a group of Brits, that are conducted by the composer. Ergo, these performances must be considered definitive.

Many of Rutter's popular hymns are included here. "O be joyful to the Lord" and "All things bright and beautiful", a popular children's hymn done here by adults, follow "Wings of the morning" on tracks 5-7. Others you may have performed in church represented here are "O clap your hands", "Lord make me an instrument of your peace", "For the beauty of the earth", "Look at the world" and "The Lord bless you and keep you" among the 21 assembled hymns.

While The Cambridge Singers, on their Web site, identify themselves principally as an a capella group, I was pleased when I received this CD to find all the hymns supported by a full orchestra, the esteemed City of London Sinfonia. The renditions are uniformly lovely although some listeners may find the singing a bit on the white side lacking brilliance and individuality. Everything is done in keeping with Rutter's score markings and style.

The recording tends to be a little variable given the 20-plus year difference in performances. The most recent copyright listing is 2003, the same year "Wings of the morning" was published. I don't hear an appreciable difference in that recording than the others but still hear some age in older works.

If you seek a Rutter hymn collection you can't go wrong here. You have wonderful English performers mated to the composer in his more popular works. I'd recommend this without reservation to anyone seeking this collection.

Simply fabulous, 10/10. These are all Rutter-composed pieces, directed by Rutter himself. If you have any interest in religious choral music at all, you must get this album! One of the highlights of my musical life was attending a concert of a University of Maryland choir in which my mom sang, that featured Rutter as a guest conductor. Listening to this album is almost as good! ;-) There are too many good pieces to start naming all of my favorites, but these are some of the best known ones: "Open Thou Mine Eyes", "A Gaelic Blessing", "All Things Bright and Beautiful", "As the Bridegroom to His Chosen", "For the Beauty of the Earth", and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You".

What a delight to listen to this collection of pure Rutter ! The melodic sounds of the Cambridge Singers bring me such pleasure The sheer joyfulness of this music is to me a religious experience of such depth It is superb and will lift ones spirits instantly. highly recommended to all lovers of the English contemporary choral sound and scene,____ not to be missed

My husband sang many of these John Rutter compositions with his church choir, and this CD is perfect since the choir is directed by Rutter, singing his own music. If you love religious music, this will bring tears to your eyes, the choir is "that" perfect.

I love this CD! My favorite track is Wings of the Morning (so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes) but there are other beautiful performances that I had NOT heard on other CDs.
and Rutter is a master of orchestration.
If you like Rutter and or church music, you must have this!

I am in accord with the other reviews published here. This is truly the definitive performance of some of the most accessible and inspiring religious music of the last century. The recording is very good throughout, capturing the curious white sound that is a trademark of the Cambridge Singers Rutter recordings. The effect is ethereal.

The provided booklet contains a brief statement by the composer describing the origins and intent of the compositions. It also provides the printed texts for the hymns, valuable for those moments when the choral diction is less than clear.

This is one of those recordings I go back to again and again. There is a solace and a comfort in Rutter's gentle music that lifts the spirit and calms the soul.

I really liked this CD. It really showcases Rutter's knack for religious choral music. Perhaps it helps that I have sung some of his stuff with various groups. However, as with any similar compiliation, the composer's sameness of style and motif becomes apparent. This repetition can become boring on the third or fourth listening. On the other hand, this makes a great reference tool for any choral director or performer. Buy it, however, it's worth it, but don't listen to it all at once.

I collect John Rutter's music and the best are ones sung by the choir he created. A great collection for when you want to relax and enjoy first rate singing. Not only is he talented, but he is very funny and has become a good friend.

John Rutter choral music is beautiful.
The selections are varied, but there is a continuity.
I intend to buy more of this type of music.

Rutter has to be one of our modern day great composers. Although as a soprano, I wonder at his love/hate relationship with us vocally.

His hauntingly beautiful melodies carry you away and lift your spirit. You dont have to be a person of faith to feel the power God in the music.