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Track(s) taken from CDA67245

The very best time of year

First line:
Christmas trees and boughs of holly
composer
John Rutter (b1945)
author of text
John Rutter (b1945)

Polyphony, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Layton (conductor)
Recording details: January 2001
All Saints, Tooting, United Kingdom
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Julian Millard
Release date: October 2001
Total duration: 3 minutes 29 seconds
 

Other recordings available for download

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

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 come-in-and-warm-yourself-by-the-fire sounds of the secular carol The very best time of year testify to the massive popularity of Rutter’s music in the USA and the acquaintances made on countless tours of the country. This piece was written for two American choir-director friends, Gene and Audrey Grier, with whom Rutter worked on several of his early trips.

from notes by Andrew Green © 2001

Les sonorités «entrez donc et venez vous réchauffer près du feu» de ce carol séculier The very best time of year attestent de l’immense popularité de la musique de Rutter aux USA et de ses relations nouées au cours de ses innombrables tournées dans ce pays. Cette œuvre fut écrite pour deux chefs de chœur américains de ses amis, Gene et Audrey Grier avec qui Rutter eut l’occasion de travailler durant ses premiers voyages.

extrait des notes rédigées par Andrew Green © 2001

Die zum Platznehmen am Kaminfeuer einladenden Klänge des weltlichen Carol The very best time of year zeugen von der gewaltigen Popularität von Rutters Musik in den USA und von den Bekanntschaften, die er auf zahllosen Tourneen durch das Land gemacht hat. Das vorliegende Stück wurde für Gene und Audrey Grier geschrieben, zwei amerikanische Freunde und Chorleiter, mit denen Rutter auf mehreren seiner ersten Konzertreisen zusammengearbeitet hat.

aus dem Begleittext von Andrew Green © 2001

Other albums featuring this work

Rutter: The John Rutter Christmas Album
The Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia, John Rutter (conductor)
CSCD510Download only

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