John Rutter: Music For Christmas

Opis

John Rutter: Music for ChristmasOpis:In an introduction to this disc of Christmas music, John Rutter tellingly commends the Christmas carol as one of the few forms that permits "serious" composers to write tunes, regardless of whatever political correctness rules the avant-garde of the day. And he's been exploiting that licence with a vengeance ever since, as a Cambridge student, he composed the jaunty little number that remains his greatest hit--"The Shepherd's Pipe Carol". Needless to say it's on this disc, along with the good, bad and indifferent of his Christmas output through the past 40 years, immaculately sung by one of the most accomplished professional choirs in the business under its superlatively accomplished founder-director Stephen Layton. And I defy anyone inclined to marginalise Rutter as middlebrow not to be touched by the eloquence, charm and craft of his work when it's done like this, in ideal conditions. At its worst the music is derivative but fun. At best it's irresistibly endearing. Not for nothing does he rival Howard Blake as English music's Mr Christmas, and this seasonally timed release delivers the evidence encyclopaedically--it's a perfect stocking-filler. --Michael WhiteProduct DescriptionIt has been said of John Rutter that he has become the musical equivalent of Dickens, synonymous with the season, and this magnificent choral collection represents the kind of Rutter repertoire that has been colouring Christmases around the world for more than three decades. Christmas music has always remained very dear to Rutter, who admits that as a student, the carol service was the 'highlight of the year'. 'Christmas', he remarked, 'is for many people the only time of year when they have contact with choral music'an observation that will rapidly establish this CD as the absolute must-have Christmas record of the year. It is stunningly recorded by Stephen Layton, who once again directs Polyphony and the City of London Sinfonia following their equally magnificent release of Rutter's Gloria and other sacred music (CDA67259). The absence of this 'come-in-and-warm-yourself-by-the-fire' disc in January is guaranteed to leave a chill as bitter as the north winds! It is the perfect antidote to cold winter evenings, the idyllic soundtrack to the season, and will prove a great source of inspiration, nostalgia and joy to a great many people.

ReviewMore than a stocking-filler, this disc is surely one of the highlights of the year --Classic FMDISC OF THE MONTH (CLASSIC FM MAGAZINE) DISC OF THE WEEK (CLASSIC FM RADIO) 'It s hard to imagine them better performed than by the award-winning British choir Polyphony' (The Mail on Sunday) 'The performances by both choir and orchestra are ideal in tone, style and accomplishment ... A Christmas treat' (Gramophone) 'Those of you for whom Rutter is a new name are in for a very special treat. From the jaunty Shepherd's Pipe Carol, with its vivid portrayal of the starry sky above Bethlehem, to the sublime and deeply moving What Sweeter Music, Rutter's music is impeccably crafted, melodically rich and entirely infectious. More than a stocking-filler, this disc is surely one of the highlights of the year' (Classic FM Radio) 'The carols of John Rutter are becoming as traditional at Christmas as mince pies, so rich is his output ... [An] extraordinary disc. Rutter s music is impeccably crafted, melodically rich and entirely infectious ... this disc is surely one of the highlights of the year' (Classic FM Magazine) 'Lovingly rendered by Polyphony under Stephen Layton, this should be a disc of choice not only for this year but as well as for the years to come' (Fanfare, USA) 'Superb performances which are beautifully recorded (International Record Review) '[Rutter] could not have asked for better performers' (The Evening Standard) 'Les arrangements sont ingénieux (Diapason, France) when the chirpy Shepherd s Pipe Carol, the instantly singable Star Carol, or the literal sound effects of the charming DonkeyAutor:Gruber, Franz XaverNośnik:Audio CDPłyt:Język: English: Published; English: Original Language; EnglishData wydania: 2001-10-01Waga: 0.22 gramWysokość: 0.4 cmSzerokość: 4.8 cmDługość: 5.6 cmNew Store StockUWAGA: Kupując produkt na tej aukcji zgadzasz się na wydłużony termin realizacji wysyłki (10-14 dni roboczych). Podany towar pochodzi z zagranicznego magazynu, stąd wydłużony czas realizacji który podany jest obok.