Black Dyke Band
Conductor: Prof Nicholas J Childs
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus
Conductor: Darius Battiwalla
Naxos Recordings: CD 8.574564

The appeal of John Rutter’s music is firmly based in the traditional values found in secular and religious celebration. Rooted in the clear refinements of English and French choral music he combines a fertile lyricism within the ease of his harmonic writing.

David Willcocks considered him the most gifted composer of his generation. His technical facility has been honed by years of studious craftsmanship, the scope encompassing extended works such as the critically acclaimed ‘Gloria’ and ‘Requiem’, although it is the hymnals and anthems that have brought lasting popularity.

Expertly produced 

This expertly produced and directed release (12 of which are premiere recordings) follows ‘Anthems, Hymns and Gloria for Brass Band’,  released in 2020 (itself popular and critically admired) with its series of fine arrangements made by Belgian conductor Luc Vertommen.  

The quality playing of Black Dyke Band and articulate singing of the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus should ensure this new release follows suit, although with just the three combined tracks, an opportunity has perhaps just been missed to make more of the partnership. 

Tenderness

The compositional arc covers a period of over 60 years – the endearing ‘Nativity Carol’  (1963) after he performed as a chorister in a recording of Britten’s ‘War Requiem’ under the composer’s baton.  An appreciation of the harmonic textures of Britten are perhaps to be found in his subsequent works, a tenderness and melancholy that although obvious never overwhelm into superficiality. 

An appreciation of the harmonic textures of Britten are perhaps to be found in his subsequent works, a tenderness and melancholy that although obvious never overwhelm into superficiality. 

The sentiment behind ‘Carol of the Magi’  is heartfelt, the joy of ‘Here we come a-Wassailing’  has a bumptious heartiness, ‘Dormi, Jesu’  a luminescent beauty. 

Elsewhere the facility for clear immediacy is never lost. Rutter himself has maintained that he is not particularly devout, perhaps explaining the ease in which he can seamlessly encompass differing interpretations of faith with such ease.  

Clear balance

It is a balance that is clearly heard throughout; ‘Jesus Child’  with its Caribbean rhythms and colours sits comfortably with the Catholic considerations of the ‘Candlelight Carol’  and bold splendour of the high Anglican ‘Te Deum’.  The playful innocence of ‘Star Carol’  links to the reflective maturity of ‘Christmas Lullaby’. 

‘Jesus Child’  with its Caribbean rhythms and colours sits comfortably with the Catholic considerations of the ‘Candlelight Carol’  and bold splendour of the high Anglican ‘Te Deum’. 

In contrast, ‘Shepherd’s Pipe Song’,  one of his earliest published works (as a Cambridge undergraduate) is packed with mid 60’s commercial optimism, something that has been maintained over the subsequent decades.  

‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’  is an eggnog full of festive wit to go with the compositional rigour that will bring a smile to even the most Scrooge like countenance.

Iwan Fox

To purchase:

CD: https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.574564

Play list:

1. O Clap Your Hands (1973)
2. Angels’ Carol (1988)
3. Carol of the Magi (2009)
4. Rejoice and Be Merry (2004)
5. Be Thou My Vision (1989)
6. Star Carol (1972)
7. Dormi, Jesu (1999)
8. Nativity Carol (1963)
9. Here We Come a-Wassailing (trad. Arr. Rutter)
10. New Year (2006)
11. Shepherd’s Pipe Carol (1965)
12. Christmas Lullaby (1989)
13. Jesus Childs (1973)
14. Candlelight Carol (1984)
15. Te Deum (1988)
16. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (trad. arr. Rutter)