The Gloria, a concert work despite its religious text, marked John Rutter's first US engagement, commissioned by the Voices of Mel Olson in Omaha, Nebraska, for its 1974 premiere.
Composer's Artistic Vision
John Rutter's passion for church music began during his time as a boy soprano at Highgate School in London and continued through his studies at Cambridge University.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Friendship is a key inspiration for John Rutter's music, as exemplified by "As the bridegroom to his chosen," written for the wedding of two members of his Cambridge Singers.
Composer Biography
John Rutter was director of music at Clare College, Cambridge, from 1975 to 1979, where he led the chapel choir—the first in Cambridge to mix male and female voices—to international recognition.
Recording & Production
This album is dedicated to the memory of John Rutter's 19-year-old son, Christopher, who died in an accident in Cambridge.
Cultural Impact
John Rutter's Christmas music album and his co-editorship of the Carols for Choirs volumes significantly helped bring his name to a wider public.
Compositional Technique
John Rutter describes the three movements of his Gloria as "roughly corresponding to traditional symphonic structure," with moods that are "exalted, devotional and jubilant by turns."
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