Search - John Rutter, John Birch, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: John Rutter: Distant Land, The Orchestral Collection

I've always felt an odd affinity for John Rutter's music

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 01/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Maybe it's because we were born in the same year, 1945, but I don't think so. At least, that's not all of it. Rutter, an Englishman whose reputation rests mainly on sacred music and a handful of classic modern carols, here presents a program of entirely instrumental music. In many ways this recording establishes him as a worthy heir of Ralph Vaughn Williams, Gustav Holst, and John Ireland, premier members of an earlier generation of English composers that included Frank Bridge, Frederick Delius, and Peter Warlock who also wrote carols (e.g., Holst's "In the Bleak Mid Winter," Warlock's "Adam Lay Ybounden," and Vaughn Williams's "Forest Green") and extensively employed folk materials in their compositions.



Rutter's "Star Carol" and "Nativity Carol" are rightly regarded as among the finest Christmas music composed in the 20th century. His Requiem and Gloria have been widely performed around the world, and his Mass for the Children has also been warmly received. Not especially noted as an instrumental composer, Rutter admirably demonstrates on this disc his considerable abilities in a non-vocal setting. His Suite for Strings resonates nicely with Holst's Brook Green Suite and Saint Paul's Suite, and his Suite Antique recalls Respighi's Ancient Airs and Dances.



Very pleasant, if not essential, contemporary classical instrumental music. ****1/2."

Consistently pleasant, at times inspiring.

Miles D. Moore | Alexandria, VA USA | 05/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"John Rutter, a contemporary composer best known for his choral music, shows off his talent for orchestral music in "Distant Land," conducting the Royal Philharmonic. Rutter freely admits that most of the pieces on this CD had their roots in songs and choral music, and indeed the works here are distinguished mainly by their songlike melodies. Frankly, I find the "Beatles Concerto" little more than a novelty, but other works here--particularly the "Five Meditations for Orchestra"--I could listen to with pleasure every day of my life. Another reviewer on this site compared these pieces to Holst's "Brook Green Suite" and Respighi's "Ancient Airs and Dances," and indeed anyone who likes those works will like Rutter's orchestral music. As an orchestral composer, Rutter lacks the complexity that would elevate him to the top rank of British composers--Elgar, Delius, Vaughan Williams, Britten--but he deserves a solid place on the second rung with Holst, Finzi and Bax. In an age when most classical composers seemingly strive to portray their latest migraines in music, it's pleasant to encounter a composer who isn't afraid to write something pretty."

An Orchestral Extravaganza

Danilo | Hilton Head Island, SC USA | 07/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Rutter is one of today's leading composers and arrangers of music for chorus and orchestra. Some of his best works are featured in this instrumental album played with a lush flavor. But the highlight is a concerto arrangement of top Beatle's songs played in a symphonic mode featuring two pianos. You have the feel of the great master composers and the fun of listening to an unbelievable transition from rock to classical. Eleanor Rigby, Hey Jude, and Can't Buy Me Love sound like they're straight from Carnegie Hall Steinways. A most unusual and beautiful instrumental album."