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Track(s) taken from CDA67245

Angels' Carol

First line:
Have you heard the sound of the angel voices
composer
author of text

Polyphony, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Layton (conductor)
Recording details: January 2001
All Saints, Tooting, United Kingdom
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Julian Millard
Release date: October 2001
Total duration: 3 minutes 12 seconds
 

Other recordings available for download

The Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia, John Rutter (conductor)
Armonico Consort, Christopher Monks (conductor), Edward Picton-Turbervill (organ)
The Hallé Children's Choir, The Hallé Youth Choir, The Hallé Choir, The Hallé Orchestra, Stephen Bell (conductor)

Reviews

‘It’s hard to imagine them better performed than by the award-winning British choir Polyphony’ (The Mail on Sunday)

‘The performances by both choir and orchestra are ideal in tone, style and accomplishment … a Christmas treat’ (Gramophone)

‘A treat for all Rutter fans! … the program is bound to satisfy anyone seeking a balanced program of Christmas choral music done with sensitivity and taste’ (American Record Guide)

‘Superb performances which are beautifully recorded’ (International Record Review)

‘Those of you for whom Rutter is a new name are in for a very special treat. From the jaunty Shepherd's Pipe Carol, with its vivid portrayal of the starry sky above Bethlehem, to the sublime and deeply moving What Sweeter Music, Rutter's music is impeccably crafted, melodically rich and entirely infectious. More than a stocking-filler, this disc is surely one of the highlights of the year’ (Classic FM)

‘The carols of John Rutter are becoming as traditional at Christmas as mince pies, so rich is his output … [An] extraordinary disc. Rutter’s music is impeccably crafted, melodically rich and entirely infectious … this disc is surely one of the highlights of the year’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘When the chirpy Shepherd’s Pipe Carol, the instantly singable Star Carol, or the literal sound effects of the charming Donkey Carol are wrapped up in such glittering, top-quality packaging as Stephen Layton’s Polyphony and The City of London Sinfonia, its seasonal allure is sealed. Finely Polished performances, served up with a warm and festive mulled-wine sensation’ (The Scotsman)

‘Lovingly rendered by Polyphony under Stephen Layton, this should be a disc of choice not only for this year but as well as for the years to come’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘Polyphony beautifully continue the English tradition with joyful refinement’ (HMV Choice)

‘[Rutter] could not have asked for better performers’ (The Evening Standard)

‘The performances are uniformly excellent; Stephen Layton and his Polyphony vocal ensemble have shown a previous affinity for Rutter’s work and this effort simply reaffirms their commitment to and love for this very special music. Outstanding’ (Classics Today)

«Les arrangements sont ingénieux» (Diapason, France)
Angels’ Carol, of 1980s vintage, was written, Rutter recalls, as a ‘… lap of honour’ to be jointly sung by the winners of a now defunct choirboy and choirgirl of the year competition in London. He later arranged it for mixed-voice choir.

from notes by Andrew Green © 2001

Datant des années 1980, Angels’ Carol fut conçu, selon le témoignage de Rutter, comme un «… tour d’honneur» à chanter par les vainqueurs du défunt Concours des chœurs d’enfant qui se tenait annuellement à Londres. Il l’arrangea ultérieurement pour chœur mixte.

extrait des notes rédigées par Andrew Green © 2001

Angels’ Carol aus den 1980er Jahren wurde, wie Rutter sich erinnert, als eine Art „Ehrenrunde“ komponiert, um gemeinsam von allen Siegern im inzwischen nicht mehr stattfindenden Wettbewerb „Chorknabe/Chormädchen des Jahres“ in London gesungen zu werden. Später hat Rutter es für gemischten Chor bearbeitet.

aus dem Begleittext von Andrew Green © 2001

Other albums featuring this work

A Christmas Celebration
Studio Master: CDHLL7545Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available
Noël
Studio Master: SIGCD754Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available
Rutter: The John Rutter Christmas Album
CSCD510Download only
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