Requiem & Magnificat/Rutter, Cambridge Singers

Two of John Rutter's most popular large-scale choral works are paired in this bargain-priced CD. Requiem, his first composition written without being commissioned, is a convincing affirmation of Christian doctrine on death and eternal life. It is also a substantial and sincere work that strives to be widely appealing while preserving a spiritual context centered on themes of light and consolation. Highlights include "Out of the Deep," its modal tune and harmonies giving it the flavor of a spiritual, and the wonderfully gentle and restful 23rd Psalm. Rutter personalizes his Requiem by adding movements not traditionally part of the Requiem Mass--passages from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, for instance--and this proves to be an effective strategy. Rutter's own, first-class Cambridge Singers are superb, as usual, and soloist Caroline Ashton steals the show with her heavenly Pie Jesu. The Magnificat shows Rutter at his most engaging, thoughtful, and adept. His usual canny sense of tunefulness and rhythmic rightness, flavored with splashes of pop harmony, accomplish his purpose in the Magnificat: to depict Mary's prayer as a celebratory occasion rather than a somber one. --David Vernier Amazon.com

Gorgeous music

This is a wonderfully nuanced & beautiful recording of this work. I don't understand why no one mentions the Lux Aeterna -- Donna Deam's rendering of the solo sounds purely angelic. April 25, 2008

Magnificent Magnificat

Our choral society members have found this recording a blessed adjunct to the song learning CDs for private practice. What a heavenly faithful recording, and conducted by the master himself. March 27, 2008

Sublime!

I bought this to learn the requiem for a choral performance. It is hauntingly beautiful and I have listened to it again and again. January 5, 2007

Cambridge Singers have never been better!

I have listened to many other composers' requiems, but this one beats them all. It is a little unusual to have both English and Latin liturgy in a requiem, but it is entirely appropriate in this case, as it contains the Mass, psalms, and personal prayers to Christ--I thoroughly enjoyed some of the burial service text sang along with the requiem mass. The Cambridge singers are sublime, and Caroline Ashton's voice (soprano) is perfect. Liner notes containing lyrics and translations are included if you do not speak Latin. The "Sanctus" is very unique and much faster-paced than I am used to, with high voices starting and baritones/tenors echoing. If I have anything to dislike about Rutter's requiem, it is the fact that there is no "Dies Irae" text at all; they seem to have been replaced by psalms. However, the excellence of the singers and the great choice of the texts makes up for it very well. December 6, 2006

Rutter Requiem, Magnificat

This is a quality recording with great performances of both works. These are two choral works which have stood the test of time by a great choral arranger and conductor who truly knows voices and choirs.
The recording is clean and authentic, not "studio contrived." November 7, 2006

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