Customer Reviews

The John Rutter Christmas Album

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Christus natus est! Exceptional collection of Rutter composed Christmas music plus his arrangements of traditional carols put together in narrative fashion.

Performed by the Cambridge Singers backed by the City of London Sinfonia this is power packed Christmas joy from beginning to end.

All of the Rutter favorites are here in one place. Especially joyous and celebrative CD. Will easily become one of the most played at my household and likely yours too.

VARIETY OF CAROLS AND QUALITY PERFORMANCE IN THIS RECORDING!

John Rutter is indeed a great talent in the world of composition. And this disc includes some of his best work. Having worked with choirs and performed many of these selections I can tell you that it requires great skill to sing them, but certainly worth the effort.As you can see from the above listing, most of the songs are either written by him or arranged by him. They are very attractive, and I'll comment on MY favorites.

'Donkey Carol' was written in 1977. So few carols are written in five-eight time that this one is notable.

"Angel's Carol" is a "thing of beauty", just so lovely one cannot help but be attracted to it! It was originally commissioned as a duet, and I really prefer it in that setting, but this one on the disc is for mixed chorus.

'Shepherd's pipe carol' has a lilting melody and charming words. This carol, along with the 'Nativity carol' (dating from 1965) was specially written for inclusion in Rutter's first carol recording.

'I wonder as I wander' written by John Jacob Niles, who collected this haunting carol in the Appalachian mountains in the 1930s, became widely known in North Anerica, both from Nile's own solo performances and in choral arrangements. Rutter's arrangement is excellent as is the voice of the baritone soloist:Gerald Finley.

There are 2 other soloists, both outstanding, on this disc: the 'Wexford Carol' features baritone Stephen Varcoe and 'There is a flower' features soprano Ruth Holton.

The Cambridge Singers do a skillful job as does the City of London Sinfonia. I must confess though, that I personally miss the boy sopranos clear bell-like sound and velvet tone of the male altos. Just a personal preference.

I bought the CD because I wanted to have "Candlelight Carol" and "Wexford Carol" as part of my Christmas collection. I was delighted with the whole CD and have added "Mary's Lullaby," "Dormi, Jesu," and "What Sweeter Music" to my list of favorites. It's also nice to have some of the well-known favorites ("Joy to the World") included in this great collection (23 songs! A fabulous value).

I ended up listening to this CD more than any other I own over the Christmas season. You'll love it.

However wonderful, these are not new recordings, but a compilation of old ones from various CDs, so that if you have recordings of Rutter's carols, you might want to compare titles and dates of issue before you order this one. This should have been made clear in Rutter's own editorial note.

If I were to choose only one Christmas album to ever own, this would be the one. John Rutter is an exceptional composer of religious music, with unusual harmonies. The music is difficult to sing, and because this is his own choir and he is directing it, the performance is flawless. Gives you goosebumps.

I was looking for a new Christmas CD. We have here in Belgium (the Dutch-talking part) a rich collection of 'Flemish' Carols. I had the pleasure to sing them myself in the choir. Also on our program where carols from Rutter, and they were always fun to sing. So hence this CD.
The songs are beautifully performed. I especially like the way how Rutter alternates orchestral accompagnied parts with a capella parts within the same song. They come like a sea of silence. Breathtaking.

I advise this CD to everyone. You can't be disappointed.

The first time I heard "What Sweeter Music" it made me stop what I was doing and listen... it brought an incredible swelling to my chest.

If you love that carol, then you will love all of the Rutter favorites as well as some delightful arrangements of traditional carols.

You cannot go wrong with this Christmas album.

I've two of the John Rutter cds: Be Thou My Vision and The John Rutter Christmas Album. Both contain beautiful arrangements and incredible singing. I'd give them both 5 stars but I find that I cannot always understand the women's parts. It's probably a lack in my own hearing range since the lower voices of the men are clear and easy to understand. I think for most people, this perceived fault would not be an issue. On the plus side, the CD includes a copy of the words for each song.

I was looking for a version of Rutter's Candlelight carol when I found this album. I wasn't familiar with some of the other works by Rutter, but decided it was worth taking a chance when I heard bits of some of the other works in the samples. I also chose this album by the Cambridge Singers because of their reputation. I have not been disappointed. The combination of Rutter and the Cambridge Singers is excellent.

I especially like Jesus Child with its cheerful Caribbean rhythms. The Angels' Carol has beautiful melodic line and sensitive lyrics. The Shepherd's Pipe carol has a joyous, personal narrative and lighthearted melody that lifts the spirits. I think it is interesting that this is one of his very first carols, written in 1965. It sets the stage for his career of using beautiful melody to make the birth of Jesus accessible to us all through his works.

Finally, the settings of the traditional carols are interesting and well performed. It is always nice to have a slight, but not too startling variation on carols that can become all too familiar and therefore uninteresting. Rutter achieves a pleasant balance that satisfies and intrigues at the same time.

All in all, I really like this album. I have been playing it and humming the tunes in my head. It is great musical soundtrack to carry in one's head for the holidays. I'm buying more for gifts.

Christmas has come a bit early to my little apartment. Tonight I purchased The John Rutter Christmas Album. I'm listening to it on my laptop right now...

How amazing, delicate and worshipful this music is. Exquisite voices, perfectly balanced and harmonized by Rutter's arrangements.

There are so many favorites on this album. One delight is the Donkey Carol. It is written in an unever 5/8 time, so you have the feeling of being carried on a clumsy donkey!

Another is I Saw Three Ships. Very light and happy, with a key change that is like the opening of a flower. How Rutter does it, I can only marvel. "And he did whistle, and she did sing on Christmas Day in the morning!"

This is a perfect album to get you in the mood for Christmas. Light a few candles, turn down the lights, and put on this collection of music. There are 23 tracks, so you get a very good value. (Many of these have been published on earlier albums.)