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Track(s) taken from CDA67245

Angel Tidings

First line:
In all towns and villages both far and near
composer
author of text

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: 1 minutes 37 seconds
 

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)
Angel Tidings, was written in the 1960s for inclusion on one of two EMI LPs featuring the Clare College choir. Rutter came across the Moravian traditional carol in the Cambridge University Library, although on finding the text ‘impenetrable’ he opted for providing his own words.

from notes by Andrew Green © 2001

Angel Tidings vit le jour dans les années 1960 pour être incorporé à deux vinyles réalisés par le chœur de Clare College pour EMI. Rutter découvrit le chant de Noël traditionnel morave dans la bibliothèque de l’Université de Cambridge et jugeant le texte «impénétrable», il choisit d’écrire son propre texte.

extrait des notes rédigées par Andrew Green © 2001

Angel Tidings, wurde in den 1960er Jahren zur Aufnahme ins Programm einer von zwei EMI-Schallplatten geschrieben, die der Chor des Clare College damals aufgezeichnet hat. Rutter entdeckte das traditionelle mährische Weihnachtslied in der Universitätsbibliothek von Cambridge, fand jedoch den Text „undurchdringlich“ und entschied sich dafür, einen eigenen zu liefern.

aus dem Begleittext von Andrew Green © 2001

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