Mass of the Children

John Rutter (Conductor), City of London Sinfonia (Orchestra), Roderick Williams (Performer), Joanne Lunn (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Roderick Williams, Joanne Lunn
• Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia
• Conductor: John Rutter
• Audio CD (September 1, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collegium
• ASIN: B0000BX5K6
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,710 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #13 in Music > Indie Music > Classical
  • #51 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Noels

Track Listings

1. Mass of the Children

2. Look at the world (1996)

3. To every thing there is a season (1997)

4. Wings of the morning(2002)

5. A Clare Benediction (1998)

6. I will sing with the spirit (1994)

7. Musica Dei donum (1998)

8. I my Best-Beloved’s am (2000)

9. Come down, O Love divine (1998)

Editorial Reviews

This is the FIRST ALL NEW RECORDING OF JOHN RUTTER'S MUSIC IN TEN YEARS! "Mass of the Children was written in late 2002 and early 2003. The occasion of its first performance in February 2003 was a concert in New York’s Carnegie Hall involving children’s choir, adult choir, soprano and baritone soloists, and orchestra. I had always wanted to write a work combining children’s choir with adult performers, not only because I find the sound of children’s voices irresistible but also because I wanted to repay a debt. As a boy soprano in my school choir I had been thrilled whenever our choir took part in adult works with children’s choir parts, such as the Mahler Third Symphony and the Britten War Requiem, and years later I remembered this experience and wanted to write something that would give children a similar opportunity to perform alongside adult professionals". From the notes – John Rutter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A peek into an introspective soul, February 20, 2004

By 

M. B Hazen "Madge Bruner Hazen" (Jacksonville, Fla.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mass of the Children (Audio CD)

It was a bright Florida afternoon....not much traffic on the highway. I popped Rutter's new CD in my car stereo. Wrapped in the total sound of the disc, I gathered my thoughts for this commentary.
Several years ago, the Rutters sustained the most painful, tragic loss of their young son, a computer whiz, and a singer. It was one of those accidents that should have never happened...a wayward car. This crushing blow seemed to have silenced the composer for awhile, as it would if one of us were to have sustained such a painful loss. Somehow all of us eventually find a venue to bring the pain out into acceptance, and get on with out lives.
The "Mass for Children" brought sadness to my heart, as well as the feeling of redemption. It is a beautiful work, crafted with eloquence in Rutter's own distiguishable sound. Perhaps this was Rutter's way of paying tribute to his son, clearing his soul of torment, and moving back into the light of creation....a personal catharsis.
The music on the entire CD floats with a sense of spirituality Rutter achieved with his "Requiem". (This work is always being performed somewhere in the world as it resonates with most everyone who knows it intimately.) The solo duets in this disc are truly inspired, and the voices of children fulfill Rutter's purpose in writing more music for juniors choirs. Bravo!
But this is Rutter at his best...it's not "Shepherd's Pipe Carol" or "Gloria", but it is very introspective, spiritually satisying, and definitely John Rutter.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mass of the Children Deserves Ten Stars!, September 11, 2003

By 

David Henderson "David" (Arlington, Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mass of the Children (Audio CD)

"Mass of the Children" is, unquestionably, John Rutter's most magnificent, powerful and emotional composition. As the only guest at the recording session in May 2003 for "Mass of the Children," let me share a little about the scene - it was in the Great Hall of University College School in Hempstead - a grand room, wood paneled with a tall arched ceiling. In the balcony at one end was the Cantate Youth Choir, a group of girls, ages 13 to 18, from Essex. Below them was John's legendary choir, The Cambridge Singers - 26 of the finest voices in England. In front of The Cambridge Singers were the two soloists - soprano Joanne Lunn and baritone Roderick Williams. Then, John and a 30-piece orchestra, the City of London Sinfonia.

What happened that afternoon was more than a recording session. It was more significant and more inspired. It truly was, I believe, a Mass in remembrance of a child. And, I think, you can hear it on this recording, especially in the Finale (track 5), when about halfway through the pure voices of the children soar above the orchestra and The Cambridge Singers, filling the Great Hall with something you've never heard before on a recording ... like angels singing.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, September 10, 2004

By 

Kat (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mass of the Children (Audio CD)

I sing with my school choir, and was blessed to be able to perform the Mass of the Children with the school. It is a beautiful mass-- the lightness of the childrens voices with the power of the adult choirs make a moving and powerful mass. The orchestra is stunning, just enough to add beauty to the piece. Rutter's Mass of the Children is a must-have for any person who enjoys this type of music.