| Description: | John Milford Rutter CBE (born 24 September 1945) is an English composer, conductor, editor, arranger and record producer, mainly of choral music.
He then read music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the choir. While still an undergraduate he had his first compositions published, including the "Shepherd's Pipe Carol" which he had written aged 18. He served as director of music at Clare College from 1975 to 1979 and led the choir to international prominence.
In 1981, Rutter founded his own choir, the Cambridge Singers, which he conducts and with which he has made many recordings of sacred choral repertoire (including his own works), particularly under his own label Collegium Records.
Rutter's compositions are chiefly choral, and include Christmas carols, anthems and extended works such as the Gloria, the Requiem and the Magnificat.
Rutter's music is very popular, particularly in the USA. In the UK many, but not all, hold him in high regard. His anthem, "This is the day", for the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011, prompted a critical remark from an Assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey, which lead to his dismissal.
I have to say that I am not generally a "Rutter fan," but this little work, taken from the Organists Charitable Trust Little Organbook is quite magical.
Dating from 1979, it is simply constructed, featuring continuous parallel fifths in the right hand, which swirl and oscillate over the Gregorian chant melody, played in long notes by the left hand.
The melody of this hymn, which is sung at Compline (the final office of the liturgical day)(is an ancient one. The text of the first verse (translated) is:
To Thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That, with Thy wonted favour, Thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.
Two photos of John Rutter are attached below. |
Ranked #9 in Most Listened.
Sign up today to download piece.
See what Agnus_Dei used to make this recording