The new Naxos CD release of music by composer John Rutter performed by Black Dyke Band and the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus has propelled itself to number 2 in the official Specialist Classical Albums charts.

Directed by Prof Nicholas Childs and Darius Battiwalla it follows 'Anthems, Hymns and Gloria for Brass Band' recent daily spotlight as 'Album of the Week' on the Classic fm radio station.

Outsold

It has outsold recordings by Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra's latest high profile release conducted by John Wilson.

The 11 tracks are arranged by Belgian conductor Luc Vertommen and feature many of the English choral composer's most famous works covering the period 1974 to 2011 — including the 'Pie Jesu' from his 1985 'Requiem', 'The Lord Bless You and Keep You' and 'This is the Day' composed for the wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.

The Queensbury Band is joined by the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus for his concert work 'Gloria' which was commissioned in 1974 by The Voices of Mel Olsen in Omaha, Nebraska and marked the composer's first trip to the United States.

Finest composers

Speaking about the latest achievement Prof Child told 4BR: "We are of course delighted. It was a great honour to be asked to record the works of one the UKs finest composers for Naxos and I think the result through Luc Vertommen's wonderful arrangements speaks for itself.

It also shows that brass bands are appreciated by the wider musical audience and the response we have had from around the world since being featured on Classic fm as Album of the Week has been incredible."

He added: "My thanks also go to Darius and his superb chorus for making this such a success. We hope we can now nudge up a place and claim another first place in the history of Black Dyke."

It also shows that brass bands are appreciated by the wider musical audience and the response we have had from around the world since being featured on Classic fm as Album of the Week has been incredibleProf Nicholas Childs

Classical Music Chart:

9th-15th October 2020

1. Anima Rara (Ermonela Jaho)
2. John Rutter — Anthems, Hymns and Gloria for Brass Band (Black Dyke Band)
3. Dussek — Messe Solemnelle (AAM/Egarr)
4. Coates — Orchestral Works — Vol 2 (BBC Philharmonic/Wilson)
5. Handel — Semele (Monteverdi CH/EBS/Gardiner)
6. Beethoven — Variations (Angela Hewitt)
7. Tales of Solace (Stephen Moccio)
8. Elgar (Sheku Kanneh-Mason/LSO/Rattle)
9. Classic (Hauser/LSO)
10. Aranjuez (Thibaut Garcia)