O Be Joyful: The Music of John Rutter
This is the first in a new series of posts for “Music Monday.” Each week, I’ll be highlighting a particular composer, band, or artist who deserves, in my humble-yet-nearly-always-correct opinion, a broader audience.
Growing up at Friendswood United Methodist Church, I didn’t know how good I had it musically. With outstanding adult & children’s choirs, musicals & pageants for all ages, and an eclectic assortment of ensembles, we never wanted for quantity or quality. One of my favorite anthems from childhood, sung by the Chancel Choir, was John Rutter’s setting of the English hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth.” That choir introduced me to Rutter’s work in anthems as well as longer pieces such as his “Requiem.”
John Rutter is a contemporary English composer and conductor who stands solidly in the classical tradition of choral work. Much, though certainly not all, of his work is for sacred chorus. He has never been considered a trend-setter, and in fact the critical view of his output has been that it’s sentimental throwback. However, he has never wanted for popular support, and his original compositions and settings are performed regularly by hundreds of choirs and orchestras on both sides of the Atlantic. Though it may not be bleeding-edge, Rutter’s music is by no means unsophisticated: complex rhythms, counterpoint, challenging harmonies, and wide-ranging instrumentation are all characteristic of his work.
I have several of his albums in my own personal collection. (The FCC can verify I’ve bought all of these; no free-for-review stuff here!) Allow me to share a few:
The John Rutter Collection
This album contains a little bit of everything: sacred and secular, hymn arrangements, new settings of familiar texts, movements from Magnificat and Requiem, and compositions 100% new. An excellent introduction to the breadth of Rutter’s work, and a great way to think about what album to get next.
Requiem & Magnificat
Two of Rutter’s most popular full-length works. The Magnificat is a full treatment of Mary’s song in Luke 1, and Rutter draws upon Latin festal music for the musical theme. The Requiem is one of the simplest, most haunting works I’ve ever heard in my life. I highly recommend it for Holy Week, or another time when a reflection upon God’s comfort in a time of loss or death is needed. Architecturally and emotionally stunning.
Sing Ye Heavens
This is perhaps my favorite album of Rutter’s because his genius is at full power here arranging traditional hymns and tunes. Only one of the pieces is his own music; the rest are aesthetically tinkered with to match the mood and liturgical use of the hymn. Whether in an a capella arrangement of “Glory to thee, my God, this night,” the soaring descant accompanied by organ at the end of “Let all mortal flesh keep silence,” a simple harp weaving in and out of “All things bright and beautiful,” or the full-throated orchestral setting of “Christ is made the sure foundation” and “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” you cannot help but be overwhelmed by truth and beauty.
Lighten Our Darkness
I’ve saved for last the most enigmatic piece of my Rutter collection. This is a 2 CD set which focuses on music for the end of day. The first disc has anthems related to the evening plucked from English, Latin, and other sources. While quite intriguing, the second disc is the real jewel. It is a full recording of a service of compline or “Night Prayer.” It’s the liturgical version of “Now I lay me down to sleep.” This is a text from a rejected early-2oth century revision of the (English) Book of Common Prayer, with music published after the fact. I often use this when teaching about worship, introducing groups to the beauty of liturgical worship, and to pray on my own at night. Lovers of choral and/or liturgical music will not regret acquiring this.
I hope this has been helpful–Rutter has many more albums produced, composed, and conducted than just this. Find out more information from his Oxford University Press and Collegium Records pages. See you next week for a dramatically different musical perspective!
