The John Rutter Christmas Album

Franz Xaver Gruber (Performer), Stephen Varcoe (Performer), Christmas Traditional (Composer), John Rutter (Composer), Lowell Mason (Composer), Ruth Holton (Composer), Gerald Finley (Performer), Cambridge Singers (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Franz Xaver Gruber, Stephen Varcoe, Gerald Finley, Cambridge Singers
• Composer: Christmas Traditional, John Rutter, Lowell Mason, Ruth Holton
• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collegium
• ASIN: B00006JJ4T
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #682 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Top of the British Classical Charts for 10 Weeks! Billboard Top Ten Classical Recording - December 2002! This album gathers together most of the carols I have composed over the years, plus a sprinkling of my arrangements of traditional carols, grouped to form a program which narrates, reflects upon, and celebrates the Christmas story. I have always enjoyed carols ever since I first sang them as a member of my school choir, and it was not long before I began to write carols of my own-in fact my first two published compositions were the Nativity Carol and the Shepherd's Pipe Carol. For any musician involved in choral music, Christmas is an especially joyous time, and I am indeed happy that it has played a part in my musical life for so many years- JOHN RUTTER

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 78 Minutes of Rutter Christmas Charm and Beauty, December 21, 2002

By	rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a voice teacher and early music fan, December 1, 2006

By	George Peabody "Ariel" (Planet Earth) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, April 3, 2006

By	My Humble Opinion (Provo, UT United States) - See all my reviews

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.