Customer Reviews

Sing Ye Heavens - Hymns for All Time

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is really wonderful. The choice music is very well-rounded, which kept me listening all the time. Most of the hymn are from the Anglican Hymnal, but Mr Rutter arranges them for four-part choir and the most beautiful descants I have ever heard. The Cambridge Singers are their usual brilliance, giving the hymns a magical touch. What is also great, is to see a new composition by John Rutter. 'Eternal God' is a really lovely hymn, with a beautiful melody, that I was ringing in my head for the next few days. Overall - a wonderful CD, which is a must for anyone. As one of the earlier reviews said, you don't need to be Anglican to enjoy the sheer brilliance of John Rutter's work and the splendid job by the Cambridge Singers.

You don't have to be an Anglican or even a Christian to appreciate this glorious collection of hymns. I have most of the Cambridge Singers' recordings and enjoy all of them. I think John Rutter is one of the finest comtemporary choral directors AND composers of hymns. Even though most of these hymns are from the Anglican hymnal, the arrangements are very interesting. I like Rutter's original compositions and hope they will record them as soon as they are published. There is one Rutter hymn on this recording and several of his arrangements of traditional hymns. I would say for all John Rutter/Cambridge Singers fans, run and buy this recording -- you will not be disappointed.

John Rutter has long been one of my favorite composers, conductors, and arrangers of modern times. His latest recording does not disappoint overall. The Cambridge Singers have always had a wonderful sound, and Rutter's arrangements of these classic hymns are a good use of their talents. Most of the performances are very simple, accompanied only by organ, though several of the more "raucous" arrangements add brass for a bit more power. However, none of the performances really have the power that really shows off a good choir. There's just a little bit lacking in the most powerful arrangements, though "Christ is made the sure foundation" is almost there. I also find Rutter's inclusion of his own recent composition "Eternal God" slightly pretentious, but I don't hold that against him or the recording. Overall, it's a GREAT choice of hymns that showcase this wonderful choral sound.

Rutter has won many fans throughout the world for his passionate, creative yet tasteful contributions to church music. Here is a hymn collection with several traditional choices along with Rutter originals.

Several comprise Rutter's remakes, which is most cases are very diginified and not at all distractive to the thrust of the original. The orchestration is superb, and the Cambridge Singers of course provide outstanding choral might.

Well worth consideration to the church music collection.

i was 1st introduced to john rutters music on a radio program... when i 1st heard the arrangement of christ the lord is risen today presented in this cd i pictured a grand celebration of the solemn mass of the resurection of our lord and pictured in particular the grand procession i pictured this being celebrated... this hymn and cd does as best as humanly possible represent the great glory of god and does as its title suggests sing with the heavens and for you fellow traditionalists this is a strongly recomended cd

The hymns of SING, YE HEAVENS represent 1500 years of music in the Christian church. Pure and rich are these hymns by the Cambridge Singers with their perfect diction that leaves nothing for improvement and their tone quality that envelops the listener. The beauty of the harp, the organ, and the brass adds to the pleasure this CD brings to the listener's ear and heart.

For fans of John Rutter, the Cambridge Singers and Anglican choral music in general this recording is one sheer unadulterated delight. The arrangements range from festival with full brass, tympani and organ to folk with harp and the performances are up to the usual high standard of the Cambridge singers. Rutter states in the liner notes that he intended to make a recording that can be listened to for pleasure and he has certainly succeeded--everyone I have played this CD for has loved it.

I always look forward to John Rutter's recordings with the Cambridge Singers. Introduced to his work many years ago, I have been a true fan and admirer of every CD he has recorded. As a choral director he is one of the best, and the Cambridge Singers never fail to delight and relax me with their beautiful choral renditions of these old hymns and chants. The 21 selections presented here on this CD offer a program of musical performances you can listen to and enjoy anytime. I don't think anyone could not enjoy this wonderful CD.

Having listened to this twice... It is difficult to find words for something so Glorious. It doesn't almost hurt, but I almost exploded in heavenly rapture several times.
You will need to get two. It is not music that you will want to keep to yourself.

JOHN RUTTER: I LOVE YOUR MUSIC; BUT WHERE ARE YOUR BOY SOPRANOS?

'The hymns heard on this disc span over 15 centuries of the history of Christian Europe, and have been chosen simply to make up a varied program which can be pleasant to hear.' Some items are accompanied by organ, some by harp where a lighter sound was more appropriate. Some are unaccompanied as in the Gregorian hymns, and five of the grandest hymns are given festival arrangements using brass, timpani, percussion and organ.

Although the perspective of this album is Anglican,it must be noted that the Anglican hymn tradition has been notably eclectic. Hymnody is forever changing. 'This album does NOT attempt to reflect the most recent changes-the emergence of pop and folk-influenced worship songs and choruses has been well taken care of elsewhere, and time alone will tell whether there is any lasting worth in this most drastic upheaval of worship style.' Therefore, it is timely to reflect upon the immense riches of hymns built up over so many centuries, when they are at great risk of neglect.

John Rutter has produced an amazing number of arrangements as well as original songs, and they are all first-rate. Choirs throughout the world (who are skilled enough to sing them)take great pleasure in working with his selections, and audiences, regardless of listening experience seem to enjoy them. They are tuneful, clever and unusual!!!

The Cambridge Singers number : 10 female sopranos,2 male and 4 female altos, 7 tenors and 8 basses. They sing extremely well with clear consonents and well-shaped vowels and plenty of gusto. I miss the boy sopranos that usually sing in the British choirs, but that's only a personal preference, and it surely is not Rutter's preference, because I have never known him to make use of them. A truly inspiring recording, nonetheless.