The secular pieces 'Draw on, sweet night' and 'My true love hath my heart' are from a choral suite called 'Birthday Madrigals', written in 1995 for the 75th birthday of jazz pianist George Shearing.
Composition History
John Rutter's Requiem, written in 1985, was first performed in the United States.
Composer's Artistic Vision
John Rutter intended his Requiem to be intimate and contemplative, rather than grand or dramatic, writing it in the shadow of a personal bereavement.
Composer Biography
The piece 'The Lord bless you and keep you' was written in memory of Edward Chapman, John Rutter's former Director of Music at Highgate School in London, who was also a teacher to John Tavener.
Composer Biography
John Rutter's 'Hymn to the Creator of Light' was commissioned for a special Evensong in Gloucester Cathedral to dedicate a new stained-glass window in memory of Herbert Howells, a composer Rutter admired.
Composer's Artistic Vision
John Rutter prefers to touch the hearts of a broad public rather than seek critical approbation, regretting the need to choose between the two.
Compositional Technique
The Requiem is not a complete setting of the Missa pro defunctis but a personal selection of texts, some from the Requiem Mass and some from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
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Vaughan Williams: Hymns and Choral Music
Howells: Requiem; St Paul's & Gloucester Services etc.
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols; Rejoice in the Lamb; A Boy Was Born
Britten - Choral Works
Walton, W.: Choral Music
Rutter: Mass of the Children
Howells: Collegium Regale; Windsor & New College Services & Other Choral Music
Rutter: Gloria, Magnificat, Psalm 150
Rutter: Gloria, Magnificat, Psalm 150
Tavener: Thunder entered her
Howells: Choral Music
St. John's Magnificat - Choral Works by Herbert Howells
