Information
Composer: John Rutter
- (01) Gloria
- (04) Magnificat
- (11) Te Deum
Elizabeth Cragg, soprano
Tom Winpenny, organ
The Choirs of St. Albans Cathedral
Ensemble DeChorum
Andrew Lucas, conductor
Date: 2020
Label: Naxos
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Rutter’s effective choral classics in scrupulous, sparkling performances
Although best known for his many carols and anthems, John Rutter is equally adept at handling music on a larger canvas. His reflective Requiem (now 25 years old) is an established classic. Much the same can be said of the evergreen 1974 setting of the Gloria, Rutter’s first major overseas commission. Its incisive, punchy, syncopated brass opening lingers memorably, setting the scene for some spectacular, polished and vibrant singing. The notoriously taxing finale is accomplished without a wobble, resulting in a deeply satisfying performance.
By way of lighter contrast, the Magnificat (1990) is imbued with a Latin-flavoured atmosphere of fiesta and celebration, the streetwise “Fecit potentiam” movement receiving a really mean and moody attack. What a delight it is to hear the chamber version and to marvel at Rutter’s scoring finesse, in particular his wind-writing, which is a model of effectiveness. Soprano soloist Elizabeth Cragg is especially melting in the delicious “Esurientes” movement.
The disc concludes with the 1988 setting of the Te Deum (not to be confused with the more recent Winchester Te Deum). While initially less arresting than the disc’s other works, the big tune towards the end is worthy of Walton, whose ceremonial spirit hovers over this beautiful music.
Andrew Lucas’s St Albans choristers (particularly the girls and boys, united on the top line) are on sparkling form, with first-class support from organist Tom Winpenny and the Ensemble DeChorum who scrupulously adhere to every one of the score’s markings. More recordings from St Albans, please – and could someone ask Rutter to score a major film?
-- Malcolm Riley, Gramophone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Rutter (born 24 September 1945 in London) is a British composer, conductor, arranger and record producer, mainly of choral music. He read music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the choir. In 1981, Rutter founded his own choir, the Cambridge Singers, which he conducts and with which he has made many recordings of sacred choral repertoire (including his own works), particularly under his own label Collegium Records. Rutter's music is eclectic, showing the influences of the French and English choral traditions of the early 20th century as well as of light music and American classic songwriting.
***
Andrew Lucas (born 1958) has been Master of the Music at St Albans Cathedral since 1998. He studied at the Royal College of Music, organ with John Birch and composition with Herbert Howells. Later organ studies continued with Peter Hurford and Piet Kee. Before St Albans, Lucas was Assistant Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, and has made over 25 CDs with St Paul’s Cathedral Choir. As an organist, he has played concerts throughout the UK, Europe and the USA. With St Albans Cathedral Choir he has been on tour all over Europe and the USA. They also broadcast frequently on radio and television.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLAC, tracks
Links in comment
Enjoy!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChoose one link, copy and paste it to your browser's address bar, wait a few seconds (you may need to click 'Continue' first), then click 'Skip Ad' (or 'Get link').
ReplyDeleteIf you are asked to download or install anything, IGNORE, only download from file hosting site (mega.nz).
If MEGA shows 'Bandwidth Limit Exceeded' message, try to create a free account.
http://lyksoomu.com/10pj3
or
https://uii.io/Zf3LUkLkr
or
https://exe.io/7PFwi