Customer Reviews

Dancing Day - Toronto Children's Chorus - John Rutter (Marquis Classics)

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

 

 

This CD was astoundingly beautiful. I knew I would like it, as I love Rutter's compositions, but I liked it even more than I thought I would.The harpist is probably the best that I have heard-her technique is absolutely brilliant. The Toronto Childrens Chorus has a crystal clear sound that is beautiful-no harsh tones or forcing here. The young soloist is especially nice-not pushed or artificial.This has become a Christmas favorite in just a few days. The young people involved in producing this CD have something to be very proud of. I hope this chorus continues to produce such glorious works for many years!

My all-time favorite Christmas CD. The kids in the Toronto Children's Chorus beautifully handle complex music and harmonies, ancient and modern songs, and lyrics in English, Latin, and French. Harp solos layer on more atmosphere. The overall result is rich and gorgeous. The final cut, Twelve Days of Christmas, is a little gimmicky, but what the heck, the kids probably had a blast with it. The rest of the disc is so beautiful it could make you cry.

I won't go into specifics regarding composition, direction, etc. I'll just say this is one of the most gorgeous CDs around. I've had it for years and it remains one of my MOST favorite of Christmas CDs. It's a must for every Christmas music collection.

On each of the various John Rutter CD's in my music library, I find the few compositions by Rutter himself particularly enjoyable. These are generally short compositions of approximately three minutes in duration. Consequently, when a CD such as this comes along with a Rutter composition (Dancing Day), which is approximately 25 minutes in duration, it is a real find indeed. While the Toronto Children's Chorus does not have the depth of the Cambridge Singers, Rutter's usual choir, they are very good, and the beautiful Rutter choral sound is definitely present. For anyone who shares my fondness for John Rutter's work, both as choral director and composer, this CD is a must.

I am a fan of Healey Willan's music; therefore, I picked this cd up for the Willan's version of The Huron Carol. The arrangement is excellent - I was not disappointed.

The album as a whole is excellent. The children's choir is well trained. Good enunciation, voices blending well etc. All in all an excellent Christmas album. Unfortunately, there are no cuts that stand out as a superb. There are so many excellent Christmas albums of which this is one - pick it up as among the best of the children's choir Christmas albums, or because you are particularly fond of the harp, or because of some particular piece as I did for the Willan. You'll not be disappointed.

This CD is a refreshing recording at Christmas time in a sea of mass-produced "I am a mainstream artist and I need to record a Christmas CD" offerings. John Rutter is a master of choral work. The last several years my family has begun a tradition of attending the Spivey Hall Children's Choir at Clayton State University just south of Atlanta, Georgia where we are treated to John Rutter work and this CD sparks that kind of feeling I get when listening to a live performance. The CD is out of print and fairly expensive to procure but will bring the true spirit of Christmas into your home.