Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This CD is the first album of new anthems and canticles by John Rutter since his landmark 2002 recording of the 'Mass Of The Children'. Our first response is to admire the beautiful packaging and our second is to applaud the content. Any new collection of sacred choral music by John Rutter deserves our attention and the fact that this features a host of previously unrecorded works in glittering performances by the composer's own choir, the Cambridge Singers, along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, means that we must take it seriously. Conducted by the composer himself, the disc ranges across the church's year, incorporating music for Christmas, Epiphany, Pentecost, Easter and Harvest-time. The two pieces that frame the collection, the "Wells Jubilate" and "Winchester Te Deum", were written for important occasions in their respective cathedrals and indeed every piece seems to have an interesting story attached to it but if you want to know more you will have to buy or borrow the CD. I recommend buying as this is a release to which you will return. "Look At The World" was composed for the Council For The Protection Of Rural England in 1996 and is paradoxically the least explicitly Christian piece and yet the most typically Rutterish, if he will forgive us the word. A personal favourite is "Carol Of The Magi" from 2009 that borrows from Eliot's "Journey Of The Magi" and is one I expect to hear - and sing - again. Rutter's work is always singable and this collection is no exception although the orchestral accompaniments may put it beyond the use of some choirs without some careful rearrangement. As well as being singable Rutter is always listenable and this CD is recommended for both long established admirers of his work as well as newcomers.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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