Customer Reviews

John Rutter: Music for Christmas

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

 

 

This is just an outstanding collection of choral, Christian selections. The majority are composed by Rutter, who it turns out was led into this field for which he is so well known and loved when in school, he was motivated by a fellow student who was composing a Christimas carol to do the same. Thanks be to God for that motivation!

Rutter's work simply in this humble reviewer has no other contemporary peer. He is reverent, fresh and excellent theology to boot! This collection has his best, including my favorites: "Shepherd's Pipe Carol, What Sweeter Music, The very best time of year, Angels' Carol."

To his compositions, added is Kirkpatrick's "Away In a Manger" and of course, Gruber's "Silent Night", both skillfully arranged and performed. Bonus selections of traditional pieces such as "I Wonder as I wonder."

The City of London Sinfonia conducted by Stephen Layton provides the orchestra background marvelously for Polyphany, the outstanding choir on this work.

You will be delighted to add this CD to your collection, and it will rise in most collections to near the top.
Well worth

Anyone who truly loves the choral and carol traditions of Christmas cannot miss Mr. Rutter's work. He is truly possessed of extraordinary talent and this fine recording puts it on proper display. The collection here houses the best of Mr. Rutter's original/edited works for the Christmas season, and one can sense the composer's affinity for the spirit of the holidays of which he has written so prolifically and well.

Excellent Christmas CD. I especially liked the "Angles Carol" track!
Would recommend this CD to one and all.

Rutter has found the way to express his faith, time and time again, through his creative genius with music and this CD is no exception. This collection of new and old carols is uplifting and nostalgic, all at the same time. Utilizing the talents of the Cambridge Singers, John Rutter demonstrates, in a manner that reflects ease and comfort, what memories of Christmas should be for all of us. I can be a child again, filled with the wonder of the Advent Story, listening to this piece many times over.

I am a John Rutter fan. This disc contains 'favorites' from earlier Collegium albums plus additions I had never heard. I do wish that several of the new tunes here did NOT begin with the now tired, trying, predictable piccolo intro; having said that, if you get PAST that some of the new tunes contain lightness, humor and a 'bright' quality. Overall, well worth it!

This is a wonderful collection of Rutter's Christmas works. There are many hours of great listening ahead of me for years to come. A very worthy investment and it never disappoints.