What sweeter music? (Rutter) - from CDA67245 - Hyperion Records

Other recordings available for download

The Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia, John Rutter (conductor)» More

Tenebrae, Nigel Short (conductor), James Sherlock (organ)» More

Winchester College Chapel Choir, Howard Ionascu (conductor), Benjamin Cunningham (organ)» More

Armonico Consort, Christopher Monks (conductor), Edward Picton-Turbervill (organ)» More

King's College Choir Cambridge, Sir Stephen Cleobury (conductor), Henry Websdale (organ)» More

Reviews

‘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)

‘A treat for all Rutter fans! … the program is bound to satisfy anyone seeking a balanced program of Christmas choral music done with sensitivity and taste’ (American Record Guide)

‘Superb performances which are beautifully recorded’ (International Record Review)

‘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)

‘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)

‘When the chirpy Shepherd’s Pipe Carol, the instantly singable Star Carol, or the literal sound effects of the charming Donkey Carol are wrapped up in such glittering, top-quality packaging as Stephen Layton’s Polyphony and The City of London Sinfonia, its seasonal allure is sealed. Finely Polished performances, served up with a warm and festive mulled-wine sensation’ (The Scotsman)

‘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)

‘Polyphony beautifully continue the English tradition with joyful refinement’ (HMV Choice)

‘[Rutter] could not have asked for better performers’ (The Evening Standard)

‘The performances are uniformly excellent; Stephen Layton and his Polyphony vocal ensemble have shown a previous affinity for Rutter’s work and this effort simply reaffirms their commitment to and love for this very special music. Outstanding’ (Classics Today)

«Les arrangements sont ingénieux» (Diapason, France)

The ravishing What sweeter music? (1988) was written for the choir of King’s College, Cambridge, and its director of music Stephen Cleobury—for performance during the college’s Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which is broadcast around the world on Christmas Eve. What sweeter music? (with words by the poet Robert Herrick) represented, says Rutter, ‘… the first opportunity I had to put pen to paper for the choir in my long and friendly association with King’s College. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to write for the slot in the service immediately after the reading about the journey of the Wise Men—the chance to highlight in the text the idea of the gifts that we can bring.’

L’exquis What sweeter music? (1988) fut écrit pour le chœur de King’s College de Cambridge et son directeur musical Stephen Cleobury—afin d’être exécutés durant leur Festival des neuf leçons et carols diffusé de par le monde entier durant la veillée de Noël. What sweeter music? (sur un texte du poète Robert Herrick) représente, nous dit Rutter: «… la première opportunité dans ma longue et amicale collaboration avec King’s College qui s’est présentée à moi de coucher quelque chose sur le papier destiné au chœur. J’ai particulièrement apprécié la possibilité d’écrire pour le moment situé juste après la lecture du voyage des Rois mages—une chance d’accentuer dans le texte les cadeaux que nous pouvons apporter.»

Das entzückende What sweeter music? (1988) wurde für den Chor des King’s College Cambridge und dessen musikalischen Leiter Stephen Cleobury geschrieben—zur Aufführung beim Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, das am Weihnachtsabend weltweit ausgestrahlt wird. What sweeter music? (mit einem Text des Dichters Robert Herrick) war laut Rutter „… das erste Mal während meiner langen und freundschaftlichen Verbindung mit dem King’s College, daß ich Gelegenheit hatte, für dessen Chor etwas zu Papier zu bringen. Ganz besonders gefreut hat mich die Möglichkeit, für den Teil des Gottesdienstes zu komponieren, der kurz nach der Lesung über die Reise der drei Weisen kommt—und die Chance, im Text darauf hinzuweisen, welche Gaben wir selbst bringen können“.

Other albums featuring this work

A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols - The Centenary Service

King's College Choir Cambridge, Sir Stephen Cleobury (conductor)

Studio Master: KGS0036-DDownload onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

A moment of pure magic as the light fails on a midwinter’s day and the still, small voice of a solo treble is heard … this is a cherishable document of one of this country’s timeless musical traditions on its centenary.» More

A winter's night

Winchester College Chapel Choir, Howard Ionascu (conductor)

Studio Master: SIGCD646Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

Bringing together a number of works for the specific forces of choir, brass quintet, organ and percussion (some arranged specially), this new album includes the first complete recording of Cecilia McDowall's 'Christmas cantata' in its original sco ...» More

Noël

Armonico Consort, Christopher Monks (conductor)

Studio Master: SIGCD754Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

Join Christopher Monks and his accomplished Armonico Consort for a traditional carol concert, seasoned favourites happily sharing the stage with some enterprising novelties.» More

Rutter: The John Rutter Christmas Album

The Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia, John Rutter (conductor)

CSCD510Download only

The definitive collection of John Rutter carols and arrangements, this album forms a programme which narrates, reflects upon, and celebrates the Christmas story.» More

Stillness and Sweet Harmony

The Cambridge Singers, John Rutter (conductor)

CSCD502Download only

This is music to bring peace. From the wealth of music spanning over ten centuries recorded by the Cambridge Singers, John Rutter has selected fifteen serene and tranquil tracks from Collegium albums.» More

What sweeter music

Tenebrae, Nigel Short (conductor)

SIGCD182Download only

'What Sweeter Music' is a real festive treat, with a sumptuous collection of songs and carols for Christmas—touching on traditional favourites (Silent Night, Away in a Manger), modern classics (The Lamb, What Sweeter Music) and some new light-hear ...» More

Recording details: January 2001
All Saints, Tooting, United Kingdom
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Julian Millard
Release date: October 2001
Total duration: 4 minutes 15 seconds