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Track Listings
| 1. Shepherd's Pipe Carol | |||
| 2. Nativity Carol | |||
| 3. There Is A Flower | |||
| 4. Sans Day Carol | |||
| 5. What Sweeter Music | |||
| 6. I Wonder As I Wander | |||
| 7. Jesus Child | |||
| 8. Wild Wood Carol | |||
| 9. The Very Best Time Of Year | |||
| 10. Away In A Manger | |||
| 11. Angel Tidings | |||
| 12. Christmas Lullaby | |||
| 13. Dormi Jesu | |||
| 14. Love Came Down At Christmas | |||
| 15. Star Carol | |||
| 16. Carol Of The Children | |||
| 17. Mary's Lullaby | |||
| 18. Silent Night | |||
| 19. Angel's Carol | |||
| 20. Candlelight Carol | |||
See all 22 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In an introduction to this disc of Christmas music, John Rutter tellingly commends the Christmas carol as one of the few forms that permits "serious" composers to write tunes, regardless of whatever political correctness rules the avant-garde of the day. And he's been exploiting that licence with a vengeance ever since, as a Cambridge student, he composed the jaunty little number that remains his greatest hit--"The Shepherd's Pipe Carol". Needless to say it's on this disc, along with the good, bad and indifferent of his Christmas output through the past 40 years, immaculately sung by one of the most accomplished professional choirs in the business under its superlatively accomplished founder-director Stephen Layton. And I defy anyone inclined to marginalise Rutter as middlebrow not to be touched by the eloquence, charm and craft of his work when it's done like this, in ideal conditions. At its worst the music is derivative but fun. At best it's irresistibly endearing. Not for nothing does he rival Howard Blake as English music's Mr Christmas, and this seasonally timed release delivers the evidence encyclopaedically--it's a perfect stocking-filler. --Michael White
Review
More than a stocking-filler, this disc is surely one of the highlights of the year --Classic FM
DISC OF THE MONTH (CLASSIC FM MAGAZINE) DISC OF THE WEEK (CLASSIC FM RADIO) '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) '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 Radio) '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) '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) 'Superb performances which are beautifully recorded (International Record Review) '[Rutter] could not have asked for better performers' (The Evening Standard) 'Les arrangements sont ingénieux (Diapason, France) 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) 'Polyphony beautifully continue the English tradition with joyful refinement' (HMV Choice) '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) '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' --(www.classicstoday.com)
DISC OF THE MONTH (CLASSIC FM MAGAZINE) DISC OF THE WEEK (CLASSIC FM RADIO) '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) '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 Radio) '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) '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) 'Superb performances which are beautifully recorded (International Record Review) '[Rutter] could not have asked for better performers' (The Evening Standard) 'Les arrangements sont ingénieux (Diapason, France) 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) 'Polyphony beautifully continue the English tradition with joyful refinement' (HMV Choice) '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) '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' --(www.classicstoday.com)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Even if you are not overly keen on Rutter's Christmas settings, this disc is simply irresistible. Speaking as a keen chorister myself, the singing simply takes my breath away. Added to sensitive direction from Stephen Layton, magical orchestrations and excellent recording from Hyperion this is a must-have and will make a wonderful Christmas gift.
I heard one of the tracks on BBC Radio 3's Choirworks (02/dec/01)and realised I just had to buy it.
This is the conductor and choir who took this year's Choral award in the Gramophone awards - I look forward to more recordings from this combination.
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard John Rutter's work (Parkinson Radio 2 on a Sunday morning last Christmas). I was absolutely knocked for six by The Shepherd's Pipe Carol, however I failed to get the title.This year I managed to get the title from Desmond Carrington who also played it on Radio 2.
I am a broken down old jazzer who normally only listens to Big Band and Mainstream Jazz, together with the popular classic composers like Vivaldi, Bach, Handel etc.
On hearing the first track I was moved to tears by this glorious music. The rest of the disk only re-inforced my asessment. The Angel Carol is possbly the most beautiful orchestration I have ever heard. I just can't get the melody out of my head.
John Rutter please continue I would also like to hear if you have ever written for a big band. Mike Hart
I am a broken down old jazzer who normally only listens to Big Band and Mainstream Jazz, together with the popular classic composers like Vivaldi, Bach, Handel etc.
On hearing the first track I was moved to tears by this glorious music. The rest of the disk only re-inforced my asessment. The Angel Carol is possbly the most beautiful orchestration I have ever heard. I just can't get the melody out of my head.
John Rutter please continue I would also like to hear if you have ever written for a big band. Mike Hart
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A magical recording of some of the most beautiful Christmas music I have ever heard. Polyphony perform with their usual wonderful tone and clarity under the expert hand of Stephen Layton. The selection is wide, on the one hand you have the reflective and ever popular "what sweeter music" and a beautiful piece entitled "Love came down at Christmas" mixed with the bouncy "Donkey carol" and the lovely "star carol"
The recording is of a high quality and the choir and the City of London Sinfonia balance out beautifully.
A real Christmas treat and a must for any collection.
The recording is of a high quality and the choir and the City of London Sinfonia balance out beautifully.
A real Christmas treat and a must for any collection.
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