Customer Reviews

Gloria: Sacred Music of John Rutter

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Much has been said of John Rutter's ability to bring out the best in his choirs..."Gloria" is no exception. All three movements of the title piece are splendidly performed by the Cambridge Singers, soundly accompanied by a world-class brass choir and organ. A perfect integration of instrument and voice highlights one of Rutter's best sacred works yet, as the composer combines both the reverence and the joy one experiences with the spiritual. Filling out the program is a wide variety of Rutter's single anthems, from the joyous "Praise Ye The Lord" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful", to the haunting but beautiful arrangement of "God Be In My Head", based on the 150th Psalm, and his arrangement of "The Lord Is My Shepherd", a piece originally released as the centerpiece of his "Requiem". A wonderful album, "Gloria" will stir the soul and warm the heart.

I believe John Rutter has captured the essence of God's beauty and grace. The musical progressions coupled with the text offer the listener a pleasing sound to the ear and a moving spiritual experience in the heart. The "Gloria" CD contains a wonderful sample of a genious composer!

The name John Rutter is synonymous with beautiful choral music and this album is a perfect example of that beauty. With the rich vocals of the Cambridge Singers and the elegance of Rutter's compositions, this album will bring joy to all who love fine choral music. It includes past favorites like For The Beauty of the Earth as well as his masterful composition Gloria in three wonderful movements.

This collection, especially the 3 movements from his composition "Gloria", is one of the greatest. I performed the 1st movement of his "Gloria" at a New York State School Music Educator's Association Area-All State Concert in November of 2000. The Choir consisted of High School Students from all over the northern parts of New York. It was spectacular. Even since then, i have been listening to the CD. It never gets old. The Spectacular 1st movement puts a feeling of pride in yourself when you sing it. The second movement will bring tears to you eyes. John Rutter has an amazing talent for creating compositions mixed with Majestic qualities then he changes to something tearful. The 3rd movement creates a thrilling end to the work. This Composition will make you want to stand up and sing it every time you hear it. I bought the score and my dream is to perform it at our local parish. This is hands down one of the greatest pieces Rutter has written.

It was about 12 years ago that I had the privilege to sing Rutter's "Gloria". It was something that I never forgot! John Rutter's "Gloria" is the best compilation of the Latin text in the 20th century! It has three movements. The second movement still gives me chills when I sing it or listen to it! It transports you back into the 11th and 12th century with it's gothic Gregorian chants and incredible 8 part dissonant harmonies, backed up by a haunting, eerie, yet beautiful organ score.

One cannot listen to "Gloria" and come away unmoved. I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS CD!

"Gloria" also has a number of Rutter's single choral compositions, all of which are gorgeous. His melodies and arrangements are incredibly melancholy and transports your soul to a higher spiritual plane. Songs like "The Lord is My Shepherd" and "God Be In My Head" truly show Rutter's genius in arranging beautiful melodies around a meaningful text. As awesome as all these songs are, and some rank up there with Rutter's best, many of his best choral compositions are not even on this CD. But as for a major score, Gloria IS the best!

Get this CD!

Gloria is some of the most powerful music I have ever listened to. It has inspired me to begin numerous compositions using Brass, Percussion and Choir. Gloria is also the theme chosen for my high school marching band for the world championships in Calgary during the Stampede. Buy it, it rocks!

This CD is capable of stirring even the most heart-hardened individual. "Gloria" opens this collection with great fanfare and exhibits Rutter's compositional capabilities with the choir and full orchestral setting. The subsequent anthem settings, without exception, are some of the most moving pieces I've ever experienced from both a content and compositional standpoint. This CD is a glimpse of heaven itself that we can enjoy here and now.

I had the privilege of hearing this "echo of the spirit" music at a time of great difficulty and sadness in my life. The beauty and eloquence that is shared by way of music, helped to give me the hope to live on. When music can inspire "hope," then the accomplishments of John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers take on a more significant meaning.

I was a member of the choir (The Voices of Mel Olson) for whom this work was commissioned. Rutter came across the pond (to Omaha, NE!) to conduct. He is a fabulous musician and a masterful choral conductor. We in the choir were stunned at the beauty of the piece commissioned for us and incredibly proud of the superb premier peformance Rutter coaxed from us. Buy this CD! It is marvelous marvelous!

I am a 14 yr old girl, I have sung in a quartet with my sister, my best friend and my sister's best friend (my best friend's sister!)Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" we have brought tears to peoples eyes. We love singing music by Rutter, he is brilliant.

Our quartet sings at wedding and functions:

email on trick_e@pcsrock.com