John Rutter believes Christmas carols are one of the few musical forms where classically trained musicians can write tunes without worrying about 'political correctness'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
John Rutter often writes his own words for his carols when he cannot find existing texts to fit melodies that come to him.
Composer's Artistic Vision
John Rutter considers himself a 'miniaturist' when it comes to Christmas music, drawn to the festivity and brevity of carols rather than telling a whole story.
Composition History
John Rutter gained wide recognition in the early 1970s by co-editing "Carols for Choirs 2" for Oxford University Press, a follow-up to a hugely successful volume.
Composer Biography
John Rutter's first carol was written because a fellow pupil, John Tavener, had written one, spurring Rutter on.
Performer Biography
Polyphony, the choir on this recording, was formed by Stephen Layton in 1986 for a concert in King's College Chapel, Cambridge.
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