Colors Of Christmas / John Rutter - The Bach Choir - Decca - DEC B001609202 - 6025

The Colours of Christmas is a collection of the greatest Christmas carols by the composer/conductor whose music has, for many, been so associated with Christmas. Featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The Bach Choir, with guest artists Over the Bridge and conducted by Rutter himself.

The Colours of Christmas (track 2 from the album) is a newly composed carol by Rutter for this new album, and is testament to the very best of Rutter’s music. Newly orchestrated for this album are the carols Ding Dong Merrily On High and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. All recordings on this album are brand new.

The Independent
Nobody knows more about Christmas carols than John Rutter, and this collection oozes class. The opening "Ding Dong! Merrily on High" sets the scene: full of fluttering woodwind and horns dancing around tinkling percussion.

The Times
It's hard not to enjoy the disc's panache and the smiling skill of Rutter, the Bach Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as they paint the season red, white and green.

Gramophone Magazine
If you believe that Christmas music should have a warm, comfortable feel, then this CD will fit the bill perfectly... Rutter is equally skilled as an arranger and orchestrator, and the ingenious use of calypso rhythms in 'Ding dong! Merrily on high' is a delight... The Bach Choir and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra give crisp, enthusiastic performances. The choir have superb diction, blend and ensemble.

Sunday Times
There's something for everyone here

The Telegraph
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a new piece from John Rutter, master of singable and ear-catching carols. This year's is The Colours of Christmas, artlessly written and beautifully sung by the Bach Choir.

Notes & Reviews:

Recording information: Henry Wood Hall, London / Royal Albert Hall, London (01/2011/04/2011).

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Works Details

Traditional, Christmas : Ding Dong! Merrily on High (French)

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 2 min. 47 sec.
Period Time: Medieval
Form: Christmas
Written: circa 1588

Rutter, John : The Colours of Christmas, for chorus & orchestra

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 2 min. 55 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary
Form: Christmas

chora, Traditional German : In dulci jubilo, chorale

Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 3 min. 10 sec.
Period Time: Renaissance

Anonymous : What Is This Lovely Fragrance?

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 3 min. 20 sec.
Form: Christmas

Kirkpatrick, William J. : Away in a manger :: Cradle Song) (New English Hymnal 22)

Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 2 min. 4 sec.
Period Time: Post Romantic
Written: 1885

Sweelinck, Jan Pieterszoon : Hodie Christus natus est

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 3 min. 1 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Written: 1619

Traditional, Christmas : Ríu, ríu, chíu

Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 1 min. 25 sec.
Period Time: Renaissance
Form: Christmas

Traditional, Christmas : I Wonder As I Wander (American)

Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 3 min. 36 sec.
Written: by 1933

Rutter, John : Star Carol

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 2 min. 53 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary
Form: Christmas
Written: 1972

Gauntlett, Henry John : Once in Royal David's City, carol

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 4 min. 4 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Written: circa 1850

Gruber, Franz : Silent Night

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 3 min. 37 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Choral
Written: 1818

Darke, Harold Edwin : In the Bleak Midwinter

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 4 min. 12 sec.
Period Time: Modern
Form: Christmas
Written: 19th Century

Traditional, Christmas : Gabriel's Message (Basque)

Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 2 min. 30 sec.
Period Time: Medieval
Form: Christmas
Written: circa 1582

Rutter, John : O come, all ye faithful fanfare

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 4 min. 14 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary
Written: 1981

Adam, Adolphe : Cantique de Noël for voice & orchestra ("Minuit, Chrétiens," "O Holy Night")

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 6 min. sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Vocal
Written: 1851

Britten, Benjamin : Friday Afternooons :: A New Year Carol

Performers: Huw Webb (Harp); John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 2 min. 8 sec.
Period Time: Modern
Written: 1935

Mason, Lowell : Joy to the World

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 2 min. 33 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Christmas

Anderson, Leroy : Sleigh Ride, arranged for band

Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 3 min. 9 sec.
Period Time: Modern
Written: 1948

Traditional, Christmas : Deck the Halls (Welsh)

Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 1 min. 40 sec.
Form: Christmas
Written: by 1784

Mel Tormé (1925 - 1999) : The Christmas Song

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 3 min. 24 sec.
Period Time: Modern
Form: Christmas
Written: 1944

Rutter, John : The Twelve Days of Christmas, carol for children's chorus & orchestra

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 3 min. 22 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary
Form: Christmas

Hugh Martin / Ralph Blane : Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (for the film Meet Me in St. Louis)

Performer: Ralph Blane
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Running Time: 3 min. sec.
Period Time: Modern
Form: Christmas
Written: circa 1944

Mendelssohn, Felix : Festgesang "Hark! The herald angels sing"

Performer: John Birch (Organ)
Conductor: John Rutter
Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Notes: Composition written: 1840.
Running Time: 4 min. 8 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Christmas
Written: 1840

Colors Of Christmas / John Rutter - The Bach Choir

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