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Track(s) taken from CDA67245

Christmas Lullaby

First line:
Clear in the darkness a light shines in Bethlehem
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 58 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)
Christmas Lullaby (1989) and Star Carol (1972) were both written for The Bach Choir and its then conductor, Sir David Willcocks, for performance at the choir’s hugely popular Christmas concerts in London’s Royal Albert Hall. These events had been part of Rutter’s life since childhood, when he attended as a member of the audience. He subsequently graduated to the job of making last-minute musical arrangements backstage. Christmas Lullaby was written to mark Willcocks’s seventieth birthday, as one of three commissioned carols—the others being by William Mathias and Willcocks’s son Jonathan.

from notes by Andrew Green © 2001

Christmas Lullaby (1989) et Star Carol (1972) furent écrits pour le Chœur Bach et son chef de chœur de l’époque, Sir David Willcocks, afin de les exécuter au cours des concerts de Noël immensément populaires que le chœur a l’habitude de donner au Royal Albert Hall, à Londres. Ces occasions particulières avaient joué depuis longtemps un rôle primordial dans la vie de Rutter puisque dès sa plus tendre enfance, il avait fait partie du public. Plus tard, il passa de l’autre côté de la scène et devint virtuose à réaliser des arrangements musicaux de dernière minute en coulisse. Christmas Lullaby fut écrit pour célébrer les soixante-dix ans de Willcocks, en compagnie de deux autres commandes adressées à William Mathias et au fils de Willcocks, Jonathan.

extrait des notes rédigées par Andrew Green © 2001

Christmas Lullaby (1989) und Star Carol (1972) sind beide für den Bach Choir und dessen damaligen Leiter Sir David Willcocks geschrieben, zur Aufführung bei den ungeheuer beliebten Weihnachtskonzerten des Chors in der Londoner Royal Albert Hall. Rutter kannte diese Veranstaltungen seit seiner Kindheit, als er sie als Zuschauer besucht hatte. Später wurde ihm die verantwortungsvolle Aufgabe übertragen, hinter der Bühne in letzter Minute musikalische Arrangements zu schreiben. Christmas Lullaby wurde zu Willcocks’ siebzigstem Geburtstag als eines von drei in Auftrag gegebenen Carols komponiert—die anderen waren von William Mathias und Willcocks’ Sohn Jonathan.

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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