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Track(s) taken from CDA67245

I wonder as I wander

composer
author of text
possibly an Appalacian carol

Libby Crabtree (soprano), Polyphony, 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 15 seconds
 

Other recordings available for download

Melanie Marshall (alto), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, John Rutter (conductor)
Gerald Finley (baritone), The Cambridge Singers, John Rutter (conductor)
The Cambridge Singers, John Rutter (conductor)
Gerald Finley (baritone), The Cambridge Singers, 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 widely known and hauntingly beautiful I wonder as I wander may or may not be an authentic Appalachian folk carol. It was claimed as such by the collector John Jacob Niles, but some have harboured the suspicion that it is in fact all his own work. Rutter hangs on its spare lines an arrangement which combines simplicity and a quiet intensity.

from notes by Andrew Green © 2001

D’une beauté lancinante, I wonder as I wander pourrait être un authentique carol du folklore appalachien tout comme il pourrait ne pas l’être. John Jacob Niles prétendit l’avoir collecté mais d’autres ont soulevé quelques doutes pensant que cette mélodie aurait pu être de son cru. Rutter dévoile dans son arrangement des lignes épurées qui associent simplicité et une intensité tranquille.

extrait des notes rédigées par Andrew Green © 2001

Das weithin bekannte, ergreifend schöne I wonder as I wander mag ein echtes amerikanisches Folk-Carol aus den Appalachen sein oder auch nicht. Die Behauptung, es sei eines, stammt von dem Sammler John Jacob Niles, aber manch einer hat den Verdacht geäußert, daß es in Wahrheit seine eigene Schöpfung ist. Rutter schmückt die karge Melodielinie mit einem Arrangement, das Schlichtheit und stille Eindringlichkeit verbindet.

aus dem Begleittext von Andrew Green © 2001

Other albums featuring this work

Christmas Night
CSCD526Download only
Christmas Star
CSCD503Download only
Rutter: A Christmas Festival
COLCD133Download only
Rutter: The John Rutter Christmas Album
CSCD510Download only
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