John Rutter's Gloria is probably his most frequently recorded large-scale piece. Written in 1974, it was his first major international commission and remains one of his most popular works. He was given explicit instructions to make it accessible, "so that a non-specialist audience could enjoy the music on first hearing," and that approach has characterized the bulk of his output, resulting in a divided assessment of his work: popularity with many audiences, but dismissiveness from critics and many professional musicians. ...
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John Rutter's Gloria is probably his most frequently recorded large-scale piece. Written in 1974, it was his first major international commission and remains one of his most popular works. He was given explicit instructions to make it accessible, "so that a non-specialist audience could enjoy the music on first hearing," and that approach has characterized the bulk of his output, resulting in a divided assessment of his work: popularity with many audiences, but dismissiveness from critics and many professional musicians. The 40-minute Magnificat (1990) and Te Deum (1988) inhabit much the same aesthetic sphere as the Gloria: lyrical, perkily melodious, and, depending on one's perspective, either skillfully or slickly constructed. The album features the choirs of St. Alban Cathedral and Ensemble DeChorum, led by Andrew Lucas, and soprano soloist Elizabeth Cragg. ~ Stephen Eddins, Rovi
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