John Rutter

John Milford RutterCBE(born 24 September 1945)cronan international professional music fraternity in

is a Britishcomposer, conductor, editor, arrangerand 1985.5[6]
record producer, mainly of choral music.
Rutter is also a Vice President of the Joyful Company of
Singers.

1 Biography
2 Compositions
Born inLondon, the son of an industrial chemist and his
wife, Rutter grew up living over the Globe pub on Lon- Rutter's compositions are chiefly choral, and include
don’sMarylebone Road.[2]He was educated atHighgate Christmas carols, anthemsand extended works such as
School, where a fellow pupil wasJohn Tavener,[3]before aGlory, theRequiemand theMagnificat.
reading music atClare College, Cambridgewhere he was
The world premiere of Rutter’s Requiem (1985), and of
a member of the choir. He served asdirector of musicat
his authoritative edition of Fauré'sRequiem, took place
Clare College from 1975 to 1979 and led the choir to in-
with the Fox Valley Festival Chorus, in Illinois. In 2002,
international prominence.
his setting ofPsalm150, commissioned for the Queen’s
In 1974, Rutter visited the United States at the invitation Golden Jubilee, was performed at the Jubilee thanksgiving
of choral musician Melvin (Mel) Olson and conducted the ing service inSt Paul’s Cathedral, LondonSimilarly, he
premiere of his cantata 'Gloria' inOmaha, Nebraska, in was commissioned to write a new anthem, “This is the
theWitherspoon HallofJoslyn Art Museum. The com- day", for theWedding of Prince William and Catherine
position, commissioned by Olson's Voices of Mel Olson Kate Middletonin 2011, performed at Westminster Abbey
chorale has become a much-performed favorite over the during the service.[7]
years.
He has also written an opera for young people called
In 1981, Rutter founded his own choir, theCambridge Bang!
Singerswhich he conducts and with which he has made
Rutter’s work is published principally byOxford Univer-
many recordings of sacred choral repertoire (includ-
sity Pressin England and byHinshaw Musicin the US.
ing his own works), particularly under his own label
It has been recorded by many choirs, but he conducts his
Collegium RecordsHe resides at Duxford in Cam-
own recordings principally on his Collegium label.
Bridgnorth and frequently conducts many choirs and or-
orchestras around the world.
In 1980, he was made an honorary Fellow ofWestminster
Choir CollegePrinceton, and in 1988 a Fellow of the
3 Influences
Guild of Church MusiciansIn 1996, theArchbishop
of Canterburyconferred aLambeth Doctorate of Mu- Rutter’s music is eclectic, showing the influences of the
thusupon him in recognition of his contribution to church French and English choral traditions of the early 20th.
music. In 2008, he was made an honorary Bencher century as well as oflight musicandAmerican class-
of
theMiddle Templewhile playing a significant role in the sic songwritingAlmost every choral anthem and hymn
2008 Temple Festival. that he writes has a subsequent orchestral accompaniment
in addition to the standard piano/organ accompaniment,
From 1985 to 1992, Rutter suffered severely from using various different instrumentations such as strings
myalgic encephalomyelitis(ME, or chronic fatigue syndrome- only strings and woodwinds or full orchestra with brass
drome), which restricted his output; after 1985 he and percussion.
stopped writing music on commission, as he was unable
to guarantee meeting deadlines.[4] Despite composing and conducting much religious music,
Rutter told the US television programme60 Minutesin
Rutter also works as an arranger and editor. As a young 2003 that he was not a particularly religious man yet still
man he collaborated with SirDavid Willcockson the ex- deeply spiritual and inspired by the spirituality of sacred
extraordinarily successfulCarols for Choirsanthology of-
verses and prayers.[8]The main topics considered in the
ries. 60 Minutes program, which was broadcast a week before
He was inducted as a National Patron ofDelta Omi- for Christmas 2003, Rutter’s popularity with choral

1
2 5 LIST OF COMPOSITIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS

groups in the United States, Britain and other parts of the5.2 Carols
world and his compositionMass of the Children, written
after the sudden death of his son Christopher while a stu- •"All Things Bright and Beautiful"
dent atClare College, Cambridge, where Rutter himself
had studied. •"Angels' Carol(Original composition)

In a 2009 interview, Rutter discussed his understanding of •"Angel Tidings(Arrangement)

genius and its unique ability to transform lives – whether
•"Banquet Fugue"
that genius is communicated in the form of music or other
media. He likened the purity of music to that of math- •"Born on Earth(Arrangement)
ematics and connected the two with a reference to the
discovery made by the early Greeks that frequencies of •"Candlelight Carol(Original composition)
harmonic pitches are related by whole-number ratios.
•"Carol of the Children(Original composition)
•"Carol of the Magi(Original composition)
4 Reception •"Christmas Carol(Arrangement)
•"Christmas Lullaby"
Rutter's music is very popular, particularly in the USA.
NBC'sToday Showcalled him 'the world's greatest liv- •"Christmas Night(Arrangement, the title song on
ing composer and conductor of choral music”). In the the Cambridge Singers' first album
the UK receives a more mixed reception: most hold him in
high regard, as illustrated by the following quotation from •"Deck the Hall(Arrangement)
a review in LondonEvening StandardSeptember 25, 2005 The Donkey Carol (not to be confused with the
For the infectiousness of his melodic invention and con- song “The Friendly Beasts” arranged by John Davis
summate craftsmanship, Rutter has few peers,” while one that also goes by the nicknameDonkey Carol)
Conservative British composer, David Arditti, didn't re-
regard him as a sufficiently 'serious' composer, saying that •"Sleep, Jesus"
Rutter ... is ... hard to take seriously, because of the way
in which his sheer technical facility or versatility leads to a •"For the Beauty of the Earth"
superficial, unstable crossover style which is neither quite •"I Wonder as I Wander(Arrangement)
classical nor pop, and which tends towards mawkish sen-
sentimentality in his sugarily-harmonized and orchestrated •"Jesus Child"
melodies.[9]The Guardian remarked that "it is as a writer"
of carols that he has really made his mark ... His larger- •"Joy to the World(Arrangement in the style of
scale works – particularly the Gloria (1974), Requiem Handle)
(1985) and Magnificat (1990) – are also well established •"Love Came Down at Christmas"
in the choral repertoire.[10]David Willcocks considered
Rutter "the most gifted composer of his generation."[11] •"Look At The World"
•"Mary’s Lullaby"

5 List of compositions and ar- •"Nativity CarolBorn in a Stable so

Bare”) (Original composition)
arrangements
•"Today is born(Arranged in theMedievalstyle)
5.1 Extended compositions •"Rocking(Arrangement and translation of Czech
carol called "Hajej, nynej, Ježíšku"
• Glory(1974) •"Rejoice and Be Merry"

• Requiem1985 •"Shepherd’s Pipe Carol"

•"Silent Night(Arrangement in the style ofBrahms)
• Magnificat(1990)
•"Star Carol"
• Mass of the Children(2003)
•"There is a Flower(Original composition)
• Antique Suite •"The Twelve Days of Christmas(Arrangement)
• Te Deum •"The Very Best Time of Year"
5.3 Choral works 3

•"Up Good Christian People" Gaelic Blessing

•"We Will" Here We Come a-wassailing from Twelve Christmas
Carols, Set 1
•"We Wish You a Merry Christmas(Arrangement)
• The Holly and the Ivyfor SATB and piano or orchestra
•"Wexford Carol(Arrangement)
tra
•"What Sweeter Music"
Gloria for mixed voices with brass, percussion and
•"Wild Wood Carol" organ or orchestra.

• I Saw Three Shipsfrom Carols for Choirs 3 for SATB

5.3 Choral works and piano or orchestra

A Gaelic Blessing forsoprano, alto, tenor and bass •"I will sing with the spiritfor SATB and organ, pi-
voices ("SATB")and organ or guitar, commissioned year or orchestra
in 1978 by the Chancel Choir of the First United
Jesus Child for SATB and piano or orchestra
Methodist Church, Omaha, Nebraska, in honor of
minister of music Mel Olson. Jesus Child for unison and piano
Birthday Madrigals for SATB, commissioned in Joy to the world! for SATB and keyboard or orchestra
1995 byBrian Kayand theCheltenham Bach Choir tra (2 trumpets, timpani and strings)
to celebrate the 75th birthday ofGeorge Shearing
King Jesus has a garden
Carols for Choirs 2nd Edition. Willcocks and Rutter for SATB and piano or flute, harp and strings
Carols for Choirs 3rd ed. Willcocks and Rutter
Look At The World for SATB and Orchestra
Carols for Choirs 4th ed. Willcocks and Rutter
•"The Lord bless you and keep you"
Dancing Day for SSA with harp or piano
Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace
Eight Childhood Lyrics SATB or TTBB with organ or harp and strings

Eight Christmas Carols, Set 1 for mixed voices and • Love came down at Christmasfor SATB and key-
piano board or strings

Eight Christmas Carols, Set 2 for mixed voices and Mary's Lullaby for SATB and piano or orchestra
piano
Nativity Carol for SATB and keyboard or strings
100 Carols for Choirs. Willcocks and Rutter
• O come, O come, Emmanuelfrom Twelve Christmas
Twelve Christmas Carols, Set 1 for mixed voices and Carols, Set 1 for SATB and keyboard or orchestra
small orchestra or piano
O Lord, you have searched me out for SATB chorus,
Twelve Christmas Carols, Set 2 for mixed voices and organ and solo cor anglais (or clarinet, or viola)
small orchestra or piano
•"Psalms Festival"
Child in a manger from Carols for Choirs 3 for SATB
and keyboard or orchestra Who shepherds would praise for SATB unaccompanied
Christmas Night for SATB and keyboard or strings Leave, shepherds for SATB unaccompanied
Come Down, O Love Divine for double mixed choir Shepherd's Pipe Carol for SATB and piano or
and organ choir or for SSAA and piano or orchestra
Cradle Song from Carols for Choirs 3 for SATB un-
Sing we to this merry company for SATB and orches
accompanied
tra or organ
Donkey Carol for SATB and piano or orchestra
Star Carol for SATB and piano or orchestra or brass
Flemish Carol from Carols for Choirs 3 for SATB with optional children’s voices or for unison and pi-
and piano or orchestra yes

• For the Beauty of the Earthfor SATB, SA, or TTBB, There is a flower (original composition) for SATB
and piano unaccompanied
4 8 EXTERNAL LINKS

Three Carols from Carols for Choirs 4 for SS and7.2 Notations

SSA unaccompanied
• Kennedy, Michael(2006), The Oxford Dictionary of
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day from the cycle Music, 985 pages,ISBN 0-19-861459-4
of carols, Dancing Day for SSA and harp or piano
•"The Twelve Days of Christmasfrom Carols for
Choirs 2 for SATB and piano or orchestra 8 External links
Winchester Te Deum for SATB and Piano or Organ
• Rutter at the Oxford University Press website
Wexford Carol for SATB unaccompanied
• Collegium Records
What sweeter music for SATB and organ or strings
• John Rutter interviewed by Alan Macfarlane, 28
January 2009 (film)
5.4 Anthems and other compositions
• John Rutter interviewed by C Music TV, October
Most of these works are original compositions, including 2010onYouTube
new musical settings of standard texts, whilst others are
arrangements of traditional hymns. • John Rutter interviewed by C Music TV, October
2010from C Music TV

• This is the Day, performed at the royal wedding,

6 Music with narration 2011

• Wind in the Willows • Joyful Company of Singers

• Brother Heinrich's Christmas

• The Reluctant Dragon

7 References

7.1 Footnotes
[1] Unable to retrieve content from the provided URL.
The carol singers shining star
Macfarlane, Alan.Interview with John Rutter. Re-
Retrieved 18 December 2013.
[3]Famous OCs(PDF).HighgateThe Cholmeleian Soci-
January 4, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
[4]BBC Radio 3 Composer of the Week, John Rutter.
YouTube. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
[5]Welcome To Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity
unityDelta Omicron. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
[6] News. Delta Omicron. March 29, 2008. Retrieved
2011-07-22
7Order of Service.Telegraph.co.uk. April 28, 2011. Re-
retrieved 28 September 2014.
Rebecca Leung (February 11, 2009).Spreading Good
CheerCBS News. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
Expansive Poetry Online. Expansivepoetryonline.com.
Retrieved 28 September 2014.
[10]"The Guardian22 December 2000Guardian.co.uk.
Retrieved 28 September 2014.
11John Rutter: a Life.Classic FM. Retrieved 28 Septem-
November 2014.
 5

9 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

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John RutterInvalid input. Please provide text for translation.Contributors:Deb, Camembert, KF, Edward,
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