Music : The John Rutter Christmas Album

Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0040888051022
Label: Collegium
Manufacturer: Collegium
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Collegium
Release Date: November 04, 2002
Studio: Collegium
Sales Rank: 1579
510

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Disc 1:

1. Wexford Carol
2. Jesus Child
3. There Is A Flower
4. Donkey Carol
5. Wild Wood Carol
6. Angels' Carol
7. Nativity Carol
8. Mary's Lullaby
9. Star Carol
10. Candlelight Carol
11. Sherpard's Pipe Carol
12. Christmas Lullaby
13. Dormi, Jesu
14. Love Came Down At Christmas
15. Sans Day Carol
16. I Wonder As I Wander
17. What Sweeter Music
18. Joy To The World
19. I Saw Three Ships
20. Deck The hall
21. The Very Best Time Of Year
22. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
23. Silent Night

Related Items:

• Rutter - A Christmas Festival
• The Ultimate Collection
• The Choral Collection
• The John Rutter Collection
• Carols from King's
• see more

Browse for similar items by category:

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Editorial Review:

Amazon.co.uk Review:
The John Rutter Christmas Album brings together most of the composer's Christmas songs and carols as well as several of his festive choral arrangements, including a rousing "Joy to the World" and the energetic "I saw three ships". Most of the 23 tracks have been taken from extant discs on Rutter's Collegium label although two, "Dormi, Jesu" and "Sans Day carol", were recorded especially for this release.

Rutter's first two published compositions, written while he was still a teenager, were Christmas pieces for choir, namely the glorious "Nativity Carol" and the infectious "Shepherd's Pipe Carol". Although very different in character, these two carols (for which Rutter also wrote the test) display the composer's sense of joy and wonder at the Christmas story. More than 30 years later, those sentiments are still there in pieces such as the melting "Dormi, Jesu", commissioned by King's College, Cambridge for the 1999 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Under the direction of the composer, the youthful voices of the Cambridge Singers are on sparkling form, as are the City of London Sinfonia and vocal soloists Gerald Finley and Stephen Varcoe. This album deserves to be played over and over--and not just at Christmas. --Rebecca Agnew




Rating: - Christmas Magic
This is the first time I have submitted a review, but those loving John Rutter's own carols and arrangements should know that this is a superb, almost certainly the best, compilation. It includes the beautiful and ever popular Nativity Carol and Shepherd's Pipe Carol which he wrote in his teens and after that most of the carols he has composed. The accompanying notes include all the words, which is such a help, and give information about when and for whom or what occasion each carol came to be ... Read More

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Rating: - Christmas Joy
I thought this CD had got lost in our recent house move and was delighted when it turned up in one the last boxes to be opened. I immediately rushed to listen again even though it is early March and am once again entranced by the warmth and beauty of the music and the singing. You really can play this CD anytime in the year and that is what I am doing now! If you buy it you will not be disappointed!

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Rating: - WOW - A 'must have' for Christmas
This CD is just fantastic - be blown away by The Cambridge Singers renditions of John Rutter's Christmas album - the definative version of some of the prettiest and most lyrical Christmas choral music you will ever hear. I just keep playing it over and over again.

Choir members will be inspired to get out their music to re-visit any of these beautiful carols they have sung in the past.

This would make the perfect stocking filler for anyone who appreciates choral singing ... Read More

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Rating: - Beautiful CD.
The more technical merits have already been pointed out. I have this on in the background now as its very relaxing. I recommend this as a Christmas treat to yourself, it is like being at an upmarket Carol concert (in a good way!) and when the music stops you find yourself putting it on again and again.

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Rating: - John Rutter's Box of Delights
This compilation of some of John Rutter's work should be in everyone's Christmas stocking. With sixteen of his own original creations he has added seven arrangements he has made of traditional Christmas music and that written by other composers. What is useful is the grouping of the music into parts - Prologue, The Christmas Story, Christmas Night, Christmas Reflections, Christmas Joy and Epilogue - which allows the listener to select a long or short programme if required.
The performances, ... Read More

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