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John Rutter

Tom Service talks to John Rutter, beloved composer of Christmas carols and many other choral works.

Beloved by choirs and audiences all over the world, John Rutter is one of the most popular and successful choral composers of the last half-century. In particular, for many people, Rutter’s carols and carol arrangements are the sound of Christmas. The festive season would be unthinkable today without the joyful tunes of Shepherd’s Pipe Carol or Star Carol resounding in school halls, churches and concert halls.

Tom Service visits the composer at his home in rural Cambridgeshire to try to learn the secret of writing a great carol, and to chat about an illustrious career that has also included major choral works such as his Requiem and Gloria, and the large-scale Mass of the Children, written in 2003 following the sudden death of Rutter’s son Christopher at the age of 19. We also drop in on a rehearsal with the Bach Choir in London, as John prepares them for last year's gala Christmas Celebration concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

First broadcast in December 2022

Available now

44 minutes

Last on

Mon 18 Dec 2023 22:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • John Rutter

    Shepherds pipe carol

    Choir: The Cambridge Singers. Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • Collegium.

  • Trad.

    Afton Water

    Music Arranger: John Rutter. Choir: The Cambridge Singers. Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • The Sprig of Thyme traditional songs.
    • Collegium.
    • 23.

  • John Rutter

    The Lord is my shepherd

    Performer: Quentin Poole. Choir: The Cambridge Singers. Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • Gloria - the sacred music of John Rutter.
    • COLLEGIUM.
    • 6.

  • John Rutter

    Suite Lyrique - 4. Waltz

    Performer: Catrin Finch. Orchestra: Sinfonia Cymru. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • Blessing.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 13.

  • John Rutter

    Star Carol

    Choir: The Cambridge Singers. Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • collegium.

  • John Rutter

    Requiem - Requiem aeternam

    Choir: The Cambridge Singers. Orchestra: Aurora Orchestra. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • Collegium.

  • John Rutter

    All Things Bright And Beautiful

    Lyricist: Cecil Frances Alexander. Choir: The Cambridge Singers. Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • The Ultimate Collection.
    • Decca (UMO).
    • 3.

  • John Rutter

    Mass of the Children (Sanctus and Benedictus)

    Choir: Cantate Youth Choir. Choir: The Cambridge Singers. Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • Collegium.

  • John Rutter

    Candlelight carol for chorus and orchestra

    Choir: The Cambridge Singers. Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • Collegium.

Broadcasts

  • Sat 10 Dec 2022 11:45
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Mon 12 Dec 2022 22:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Sat 16 Dec 2023 11:45
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Mon 18 Dec 2023 22:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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