What sweeter music - John Rutter, The Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia

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  • čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
  • 'What sweeter music'
    From ‘The John Rutter Christmas Album’
    The definitive collection of John Rutter carols and arrangements
    Composer John Rutter
    Conductor John Rutter
    Choir The Cambridge Singers
    Orchestra City of London Sinfonia
    Buy, download or stream: lnk.to/JRChristmasAlbum
    Buy sheet music:bit.ly/3cTJjG8
    An audio learning guide for this title is available from ChoirGuides: bit.ly/3dnhMNC
    Find more of the catalogue and curated playlists by subscribing to the channel:
    bit.ly/2uQMe9P
    Social Media Links:
    Facebook: / johnruttermusic
    Twitter: / johnmrutter
    Instagram: / johnrutter.composer
    Website: www.johnrutter...
    What sweeter music
    Written for the King’s College Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, in 1987
    LYRICS:
    What sweeter music can we bring
    Than a carol, for to sing
    The birth of this our heavenly King?
    Awake the voice! Awake the string!
    Dark and dull night, fly hence away,
    And give the honour to this day,
    That sees December turned to May.
    Why does the chilling winter’s morn
    Smile, like a field beset with corn?
    Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn,
    Thus, on the sudden? Come and see
    The cause, why things thus fragrant be:
    ’Tis he is born, whose quickening birth
    Gives life and lustre, public mirth,
    To heaven, and the under-earth.
    We see him come, and know him ours,
    Who, with his sunshine and his showers,
    Turns all the patient ground to flowers.
    The darling of the world is come,
    And fit it is, we find a room
    To welcome him. The nobler part
    Of all the house here, is the heart.
    Which we will give him; and bequeath
    This holly, and this ivy wreath,
    To do him honour; who’s our King,
    And Lord of all this revelling.
    What sweeter music can we bring,
    Than a carol, for to sing
    The birth of this our heavenly King?
    (Words: Robert Herrick (1591-1674) Music: John Rutter)
    The John Rutter Christmas Album
    This album gathers together most of the carols composed by John Rutter over the years, plus a sprinkling of Rutter arrangements of traditional carols, grouped to form a programme which narrates, reflects upon, and celebrates the Christmas story.
    John Rutter, English composer and conductor, is associated with choral music throughout the world. His recordings with the Cambridge Singers (the professional chamber choir he set up in 1983) have reached a wide global audience, many of them featuring his own music in definitive versions. Among John’s best-known choral works are Gloria, Requiem, Magnificat, Mass of the Children, and Visions, together with many church anthems, choral songs and Christmas carols.
    Contact
    info@collegium.co.uk

Komentáře • 116

  • @lindabaer4086
    @lindabaer4086 Před 3 lety +198

    I am a Jewish cantor, and this exquisite music is holy, sacred, and stunning in its beauty. When I first heard it long ago on my car radio, I pulled over, and just listened, weeping. Hate cannot prevail in the face of beauty such as this.

    • @robertdaugherty2314
      @robertdaugherty2314 Před 2 lety +17

      What a wonderful tribute to the power of music to move us.

    • @bonnienoble-jones4380
      @bonnienoble-jones4380 Před 2 lety +9

      I sang in 200 voice choir and we sang a lot of his music. It was the most amazing experience to be in middle of all those voices singing such blessed music.

    • @kevinfitzmaurice4072
      @kevinfitzmaurice4072 Před 2 lety +4

      Beautifully said about a beautiful piece.

    • @rosabailey5375
      @rosabailey5375 Před 2 lety +5

      It is beautiful and comforting. I find myself listening to it from memory some mornings.

    • @theUrbanJoe
      @theUrbanJoe Před 2 lety +5

      Surely this music is eternal. From times past and times to come…

  • @evelyntapia4130
    @evelyntapia4130 Před 3 lety +63

    There's nothing sweeter than John Rutter's music. 💕

  • @lupinesangre
    @lupinesangre Před rokem +13

    This is one of the most beautiful choral pieces of all time. The last time I performed it with a wonderful choir, I cried.

  • @michaeldj5
    @michaeldj5 Před rokem +32

    This is music that is so intensely beautiful that it almost physically hurts to listen to it. I don't know what to do with myself when I listen to this over and over and over.

    • @qwerfy34567894749
      @qwerfy34567894749 Před 9 měsíci +4

      I’m right there with you, 22 year old guy here and a lot of my friends don’t understand how beautiful music affects me to such an emotionally crippling degree that sometimes I just can’t listen to certain songs.

  • @billymccoy9008
    @billymccoy9008 Před 4 lety +102

    John Rutter will most certainly be commissioned as the premier choral director in heaven.

  • @neilcrawford-jones6529
    @neilcrawford-jones6529 Před 4 lety +64

    Let's also give some credit to Herrick for his beautiful poem. Great words here inspire a fine and sensitive musical setting.

    • @janmcguire5268
      @janmcguire5268 Před 3 lety +8

      As a lyricist, I second that motion!

    • @tomwestbrook
      @tomwestbrook Před 3 lety +5

      Absolutely. By itself it is Christmas to me.

    • @gloriacasali470
      @gloriacasali470 Před 9 měsíci +2

      I agree 💯%... the words of this Poem are so perfect for the real meaning of Christmas.

  • @megthomas3585
    @megthomas3585 Před 3 lety +62

    I'm agnostic, but the sheer beauty and reverence of this piece always bring me to tears.

  • @richardearls3873
    @richardearls3873 Před 3 lety +8

    This is the sound of God loving His creation, and His creation returning their love of God...

    • @xapk
      @xapk Před 3 lety +1

      I like your comment!

    • @joan407
      @joan407 Před 3 lety +3

      Rutter used the words of 17th-century British poet Robert Herrick's Christmas beautiful poem "A Christmas Carol, Sung to the King
      in the Presence at White-Hall."

  • @duglife2230
    @duglife2230 Před 9 měsíci +5

    The peace this song brings me is unmatched. It's absolutely perfect for sitting next to your Christmas tree at night and appreciating the season and all that it means. I think this is my favorite Christmas song.

  • @kingdavidjapan
    @kingdavidjapan Před 3 lety +28

    I will always remember my Christmases as a child when listening to this. It is one of the most beautiful and moving pieces of music I know. John Rutter is a living legend.

    • @mityahubenkeshet
      @mityahubenkeshet Před 2 lety +1

      OMG same! My parents were both ministers in the United Church of Christ. My dad writes hymns and poetry and this and other Cambridge Singers albums were the regular Christmas tracks in our house.

  • @dougstambaugh6396
    @dougstambaugh6396 Před 5 lety +47

    Divinely beautiful. It's almost as if an Angel of the Lord came down and told Mr. Rutter to write some of the most beautiful choral compositions ever, and then assemble a Choir of Angels to perform them. The beautifully cascading vocal phrasing of Mary's Lullaby, and the hauntingly mysterious melodies of Dormi Jesu are unequaled. And, What Sweeter Music is simply "perfection". John Rutter's music is truly heavenly!

  • @anthonygulliver2880
    @anthonygulliver2880 Před 9 měsíci +1

    When I listen to this I can see all of my beautiful family that have now passed. I wish especially that I could wake up on Christmas Day and even if it’s just for five minutes to tell my Dad how much I adored and loved him. You see he took his own life after promising me he wouldn’t do it. It’s now 15 years since that awful day and I miss as much today as then. This music just helps me think of his beautiful nature and gentleness - x

  • @maryannjensen2095
    @maryannjensen2095 Před 4 lety +42

    The principal at my school would pop into my music room just to hear this beautiful song when he needed a “pick me up”of wonderful sound!

  • @kellyanna94
    @kellyanna94 Před 3 lety +11

    I had this song’s melody playing in a dream I had, I couldn’t remember the song until I woke up (I hadn’t listened to it in years!) I listened to this on my way to work and it touched me so deeply. Thank you Lord for the sweet reminder of who You are ❤️

  • @pattysmith2699
    @pattysmith2699 Před 3 lety +13

    During the dark winter days of Advent...so beautiful.

  • @bobhunskor7977
    @bobhunskor7977 Před rokem +4

    Feel like I am in heaven when listening to this. Without peer among all Christmas anthems.

  • @kevinfitzmaurice4072
    @kevinfitzmaurice4072 Před 2 lety +4

    I first heard this some years ago in a tastefully presented television car advertisement. You can question the propriety of using this beautiful piece commercially, but that's how it was introduced to me, and I'm forever grateful.

    • @irisjacobs1139
      @irisjacobs1139 Před 4 měsíci +1

      It only matters that you were introduced to this wondrous music; it does not matter how! Peace and joy.

  • @makingmusicmusicando685
    @makingmusicmusicando685 Před 6 lety +61

    When I was learning English this piece of music was on my ears again and again. I felt in love with it so fast… not because of the lyrics but the good music. Anyway an English friend helped me to understand the subtle meaning at that time. Now, fifteen years later, I am able to express my gratitude directly to Mr. Rutter. Music makes what Mr. Rutter is speaking to us about a better world through music in order to become us into a better human being citizen. Mr. Rutter has the skill to raise the goal that he had in mind for everyone. Thanks to The Cambridge Singers and the OCLS for making such as great performance with such as subtle accuracy. God bless you.

  • @AquinasRevival73
    @AquinasRevival73 Před 4 lety +20

    I came across this carol several years ago. It is simply my favorite Advent/Christmas piece. I love everything about it, the melody, harmony, lyrics and the ethos created by all those elements together carried on the voices of this magnificent male chorus. I could listen to this on an endless loop for hours and still be transported with every repetition. Well done, Mr. Rutter. Very well done, indeed.

    • @aileen694
      @aileen694 Před 3 lety +2

      Aquinas Revival73, hello, you referred to this "male choir"...there are definitely gorgeous female voices singing too! :))

    • @AquinasRevival73
      @AquinasRevival73 Před 3 lety +1

      @@aileen694 There are a bunch of recordings of this beautiful piece, many with women, but pretty sure the sopranos in this one are young boys, and Cambridge singers are an all male choir. Or were. Could be wrong! ☺️

    • @aileen694
      @aileen694 Před 3 lety

      @@AquinasRevival73 Oh yes, I forgot about boy sopranos, who can sound very much like clear female voices for certain songs.
      My dear Mum, also a singer, invariably wept at hearing childrens' choirs. I agree there is something very moving in the sound of a good male choir!

    • @AquinasRevival73
      @AquinasRevival73 Před 3 lety

      @@aileen694 Here is a really lovely rendition of What Sweeter Music, by a male/female choir, VocalEssence. www.youtube.com/watch?
      v=fLkxe6q6UyE

    • @joan407
      @joan407 Před 3 lety +1

      Lyrics are from 17th-c. British poet, Robert Herrick: "A Christmas Carol, Sung to the King
      in the Presence at White-Hall"

  • @Lilicafonso
    @Lilicafonso Před 4 lety +6

    Beautiful music. We take God like a feather, angels are singing so perfectly. I appreciate the opportunity to listen to these sacred songs that inspire us.

  • @alyswilliams9571
    @alyswilliams9571 Před 5 lety +41

    My absolute favourite. Sends a shiver down my spine every time I listen to it and brings tears to my eyes.

    • @mirandaprater53
      @mirandaprater53 Před 5 lety +1

      I love it!

    • @wendybehe2681
      @wendybehe2681 Před 4 lety +1

      Me too.

    • @joan407
      @joan407 Před 3 lety +1

      Lyrics from the great 17th-century British poet, Robert Herrick: "A Christmas Carol, Sung to the King
      in the Presence at White-Hall."

  • @jenniferkaniuka4774
    @jenniferkaniuka4774 Před 3 lety +8

    Most beautiful carol ever.

  • @workingtheworld68
    @workingtheworld68 Před 6 lety +22

    Transcendent, powerful and yet offering such peace

  • @rinawinata7039
    @rinawinata7039 Před 2 lety +5

    It comes directly to my deepest heart

  • @martinhatcher9967
    @martinhatcher9967 Před 5 lety +25

    Beautiful unforced voices and wonderful control...hypnotic.

  • @lindsaypeterholden2701
    @lindsaypeterholden2701 Před 4 lety +15

    Put this on your iPad,go and sit in York Minster,and see the beauty of God and his creations.Stunningly Beautiful!!!

  • @randolphstephenson
    @randolphstephenson Před 7 dny

    Alas. A beautiful Anthology of Brother Amilius!🙏🎶😇

  • @susanrobinson7945
    @susanrobinson7945 Před 5 lety +23

    Reduces me to tears.

  • @elizabethholmgren2067
    @elizabethholmgren2067 Před rokem +2

    John Rutter is truly inspired, love all his choral pieces!

  • @bcoxal
    @bcoxal Před 2 lety +7

    What sweeter music can we bring
    Than a carol, for to sing
    The birth of this our heavenly King?
    Awake the voice! Awake the string!
    Dark and dull night, fly hence away,
    And give the honor to this day,
    That sees December turned to May.
    That sees December turned to May.
    Why does the chilling winter's morn
    Smile, like a field beset with corn?
    Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn,
    Thus, on the sudden? Come and see
    The cause, why things thus fragrant be:
    'Tis He is born, whose quickening birth
    Gives life and luster, public mirth,
    To heaven, and the under-earth.
    We see him come, and know him ours,
    Who, with his sunshine and his showers,
    Turns all the patient ground to flowers.
    Turns all the patient ground to flowers.
    The darling of the world is come,
    And fit it is, we find a room
    To welcome him. To welcome him.
    The nobler part Of all the house here,
    is the heart.
    Which we will give him; and bequeath
    This holly, and this ivy wreath,
    To do him honour, who's our King,
    And Lord of all this revelling.
    What sweeter music can we bring,
    Than a carol for to sing
    The birth of this our heavenly King?

  • @H2R504
    @H2R504 Před 5 lety +5

    It was a Volvo commercial (Survivors) that led me to find this beautiful piece of music by John Rutter. It gives me such peace and comfort when hearing it.

  • @carolynmcpheron9658
    @carolynmcpheron9658 Před 5 lety +13

    Beautiful! Brings such a sense of Peace and Reverence!

  • @arisk6838
    @arisk6838 Před 5 lety +9

    What sweeter music than this could ever be?!?

  • @anthonygulliver2880
    @anthonygulliver2880 Před 6 dny

    It’s just beautiful .

  • @johnbeard111
    @johnbeard111 Před 2 lety +4

    Obviously this choir is exceptional. At local levels though churches have sadly moved towards abysmal Praise music. Decent choirs in American churches singing serious music have mostly disappeared

    • @deborahmcintosh4523
      @deborahmcintosh4523 Před rokem +1

      So true. Sadly disappointing.

    • @ranonampangom2185
      @ranonampangom2185 Před rokem +1

      That's because religion in America has turned very ugly. The original music is still beautiful and pure.

  • @paulpolner
    @paulpolner Před 3 lety +4

    Magnificent. How can someone have such incredible talent?

  • @puppypaws2858
    @puppypaws2858 Před 4 lety +7

    Now this is music

  • @johnuitdeflesch3593
    @johnuitdeflesch3593 Před rokem +7

    What sweeter music can we bring
    Than a carol, for to sing
    The birth of this our heavenly King?
    Awake the voice! Awake the string!
    Dark and dull night, fly hence away
    And give the honor to this day
    That sees December turned to May
    That sees December turned to May
    Why does the chilling winter's morn
    Smile, like a field beset with corn?
    Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn
    Thus, on the sudden? Come and see
    The cause, why things thus fragrant be
    'Tis He is born, whose quickening birth
    Gives life and luster, public mirth
    To heaven, and the under-earth
    We see him come, and know him ours
    Who, with his sunshine and his showers
    Turns all the patient ground to flowers
    Turns all the patient ground to flowers
    The darling of the world is come
    And fit it is, we find a room
    To welcome him, to welcome him
    The nobler part Of all the house here
    Is the heart
    Which we will give him; and bequeath
    This holly, and this ivy wreath
    To do him honour, who's our King
    And Lord of all this revelling
    What sweeter music can we bring
    Than a carol for to sing
    The birth of this our heavenly King?

  • @valeriechapman1612
    @valeriechapman1612 Před 3 lety +1

    What Sweeter Music indeed can you get from John Rutter (alias Mr.Christmas) he’s always there for everyone to listen to at this very special time of year. Well done John.

  • @WorldifySanity
    @WorldifySanity Před 8 měsíci +1

    I'm an atheist. This music is soul food. ❤

  • @pauljaikaran9790
    @pauljaikaran9790 Před 5 lety +5

    Thank you for the wonderful muscic Mr.John rutter

  • @mikeottawa8158
    @mikeottawa8158 Před 4 lety +3

    I remmbr tha f1rstime I heard this 30 years ago , it was a voLvo tv ad comrciaL about safety , narrated by DonaLd SuthrLand's caLm soothng voice , took me days weeks months to find-out who had composd such a beautifuL song

    • @maryannjensen2095
      @maryannjensen2095 Před 4 lety +1

      Boris Otawa a Volvo ad. Yes!

    • @mikeottawa8158
      @mikeottawa8158 Před 4 lety +1

      @@maryannjensen2095 or mayb prhaps proLy was 20 yrs ago

    • @maryannjensen2095
      @maryannjensen2095 Před 4 lety +1

      Boris Otawa probably 30 but this song has that wonderful effect on people. One of his best works.

    • @mikeottawa8158
      @mikeottawa8158 Před 4 lety +1

      @@maryannjensen2095 ndeed

  • @peterschmidt9067
    @peterschmidt9067 Před 2 lety +1

    Christmas Goosebumps Galore! 👍 #superb #breathtaking #iconic #reverberating

  • @HMWickedQueen
    @HMWickedQueen Před rokem

    This video has brought me so much joy during such hard times. The jazzy modulations in the accompaniment, the lovely voice singing the story, and - lord, have mercy! - the talent and loveliness of Alakai Lastimado: his skill and talent is prodigious!

  • @williamstubbs779
    @williamstubbs779 Před 2 lety

    The first line says it all. What sweeter music? Angelic!

  • @suzanba7
    @suzanba7 Před 5 lety +5

    Beautiful

  • @patriciaweathers9418
    @patriciaweathers9418 Před 5 lety +7

    Makes me think of family holidays oh so long ago

  • @xapk
    @xapk Před 3 lety

    What gifts can we offer?
    Gold....our wealth
    Frankincense...a love of the consecrated life
    Myrrh... share in the sorrows of the world
    Give these gifts each day to the best if our abilities.

  • @ishmaelboampongosei6905
    @ishmaelboampongosei6905 Před 2 lety +1

    Oh love how deep!!!

  • @jalil045
    @jalil045 Před 3 lety +2

    thanks for this video, and all information.

  • @petr-im2hk
    @petr-im2hk Před rokem

    Went to heaven and back.🎉

  • @MrShazzar
    @MrShazzar Před 3 lety

    Stunning

  • @NatanaelEstebanRainMontecinos

    Qué dulce melodía, literalmente ;)

  • @khyrand
    @khyrand Před 3 lety +1

    Hooray, it’s almost Advent!

  • @Luca-gj9xn
    @Luca-gj9xn Před 3 lety +2

    Rutter is really brilliant. My choir sang Candlelight Carol during one of our last performances using a new arrangement. Write this in the search: you will surely like it.
    Corale Novarmonia - Candlelight Carol (J. Rutter)

  • @inaldotenoriodemouracavalc1878

    Muito lindo.

  • @debdessaso
    @debdessaso Před 4 lety +2

    "This song is a testament to the power of poetry. The lyrics are taken almost verbatim from Robert Herrick's 16th century poem of the same name. Check out this blogspot for further background:
    raastrup.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-sweeter-music-can-we-bring.html

  • @user-qd9rh5yr8m
    @user-qd9rh5yr8m Před 3 lety

    does anyone think that the recording of this is multi-tracked? (that’s not a criticism, by the way!)

  • @joaneng9073
    @joaneng9073 Před rokem

    Sigh...