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Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Musical scores, lyrics & libretti
for SATB (with divisions) and piano or chamber orchestra Rutter's
charming piece sets a secular text by the composer that emphasises
the significance of music and harmony in an ephemeral world. A
simple accompaniment figure in the piano provides the backdrop to
alternating unison and polyphonic verses that manage to capture
both nostalgia for what was and optimism for what is to come.
for SATB unaccompanied This joyful setting of an old Irish air,
arranged by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and edited by John
Rutter, features a text by Thomas Moore on life's fleeting
pleasures. It alternates between cheerful louder sections and
mischievous quieter passages, before a charmingly hushed ending. A
recording can be found on the Collegium CD There is sweet music
(CSCD 505) by the Cambridge Singers, conducted by John Rutter.
for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied This festive arrangement of
a traditional German carol features an English text, translated and
adapted by John Rutter himself. The first two verses are sung by
soloists (or alternatively by a semi-chorus over a background of
choral hums) before all singers come together in the final verse
and then fade into solemn stillness.
for SATB, congregation, and organ In this version of the popular
English hymn, Rutter adorns the well-known melody with an opening
fanfare and soaring descant line over the final verse. It is
intended that the congregation join in the singing. Full scores and
sets of parts for the brass ensemble accompaniment are available on
hire from Oxford University Press.
for SATB (with divisions) and harp or piano This is a simple and
gentle setting of the popular American folk hymn. Beginning softly
with the sopranos accompanied by piano/harp in the first verse,
Rutter explores a wide variety of textures, building to a powerful
final verse before ebbing away in a poignantly quiet close.
for SATB and harp or piano In this arrangement of the traditional
Irish hymn Be thou my vision, Rutter sets the 8th-century text (in
its English translation) to the Irish folk melody known as Slane,
the tune to which it has been sung since 1919. Rutter's harmonies
and piano/harp accompaniment add to the enchanting Gaelic style. An
alternative setting of the same text, to original music by John
Rutter, is also available from Oxford University Press.
for SATB and piano or harp The King of Love My Shepherd Is sets
Psalm 23 to an arrangement of the Irish traditional melody St.
Columba. Rutter keeps the first three verses largely in unison,
alternating between male and female voices, before allowing the
music to bloom into rich and ever-expanding polyphony for the last
three verses. The arpeggios in the accompaniment, distinctly Gaelic
and gently scored, can be performed either on harp or piano.
for SATB, congregation, and organ or brass choir Rutters
arrangement of the hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past uses the hymn
tune St. Anne to great effect. The verses alternate between choir
alone and choir with congregation, building to an uplifting finale
in which all sing together. Brass choir score and parts are
available on sale.
for SATB (with divisions) and organ, with optional congregation
Here John Rutter follows Vaughan Williams' precedent in setting
this text from the fourth-century Orthodox liturgy of St James of
Jerusalem to the French carol melody 'Jesus Christ shabille en
pauvre'. The result is a hymn which is in turn haunting and
powerful, with a modal tonality that evokes the timeless
sound-world of plainchant.
for SATB (with divisions), congregation, and organ An arrangement
by John Rutter of the popular Passiontide hymn When I survey the
wondrous cross, set to the hymn tune Rockingham, with which these
words have long been associated. Part of the Cambridge Singers Hymn
series, it features on the Collegium recording Sing, ye Heavens
(COLCD126), performed by the Cambridge Singers and directed by John
Rutter.
for SATB and organ In this arrangement of the hymn tune St Clement,
traditional verses alternate with those newly arranged by John
Rutter. The piece is part of a wider collection of hymn
arrangements, which have been recorded by the Cambridge Singers,
directed by John Rutter, on the Collegium CD Sing, ye heavens
(COLCD 126). Individual leaflets from the series are available on
sale from Oxford University Press.
for SATB, optional congregation, and organ or brass choir Christ
the Lord Is Risen Today is an arrangement of the Easter hymn tune
'Lyra Davidica'. Not to be confused with Rutter's own composition,
Christ the Lord is risen again, published as part of the John
Rutter Anniversary Edition. With an exciting introductory fanfare
composed by Rutter, this uplifting anthem provides a powerful
ending to any Easter service. Brass choir score and parts are
available on sale.
for SATB double choir and organ In this rousing anthem for double
choir, Rutter uses frequent time signature changes to breathe new
life into Psalm 148. Guiding the two choirs through a series of
musical mood changes using intricate call-and-response patterns,
the composer steadily builds excitement before bringing them
together in a glorious finale. This anthem forms the conclusion to
John Rutter's Psalmfest, for which scores and parts are available
on hire.
for SATB & piano/organ & brass/orchestra In keeping with
its title, this Christmas carol is bursting with joyous energy.
Taking Lowell Mason's melody, which was based on an earlier melody
by Handel, Rutter adds a virtuosic accompaniment which can be
played by either piano, organ, orchestra, or brass ensemble and
plays a prominent role in the carol. Scores and parts for the
accompaniment are available on sale or on hire/rental from Oxford
University Press. This carol forms part of the Christmas collection
Joy to the World.
for SA and piano or orchestra With a simple, appealing melody and a
flowing accompaniment, The Colours of Christmas evokes a touching
sense of longing for the joys of the festive season. An
accompaniment for orchestra is available on hire/rental.
for SATB and organ Written for the 20th Anniversary of Norwich
Cathedral Girls' Choir, this setting of the well-known All Saints
Day text juxtaposes flowing melodic lines in the sopranos with rich
homophonic passages, each bringing the text to the fore. The organ
plays a prominent role, providing gentle undulating accompaniment,
as well as fanfare-like exclamations.
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