John Rutter: The Colors of Christmas (2011)

performed by Huw Webb (harp), John Birch (organ), Over the Bridge, Bach Choir (choir, chorus), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, John Rutter (conductor)
composed by Adolphe Adam, Anonymous, Benjamin Britten, Christmas Traditional, Felix Mendelssohn, Franz Gruber, Harold Darke, Henry John Gauntlett, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, John Rutter, Leroy Anderson, Lowell Mason, Mel Tormé, Ralph Blane, Traditional German chorale

John Rutter's 2011 album, The Colors of Christmas, should appeal to fans of his performances with the Cambridge Singers, the group he founded in 1981, and with which he has produced about a half dozen Christmas albums. Listeners familiar with those albums will know what they're getting here: an assortment of holiday music that includes original works by Rutter, a number of Rutter's arrangements and orchestrations of both traditional and less familiar carols, and pieces performed in their original versions. This album also ... Read More

John Rutter's 2011 album, The Colors of Christmas, should appeal to fans of his performances with the Cambridge Singers, the group he founded in 1981, and with which he has produced about a half dozen Christmas albums. Listeners familiar with those albums will know what they're getting here: an assortment of holiday music that includes original works by Rutter, a number of Rutter's arrangements and orchestrations of both traditional and less familiar carols, and pieces performed in their original versions. This album also includes several arrangements by other composers. The 23 tracks range from the Renaissance song Riu, riu, chiu, to standard English, American, French, and German carols, to modern classics like Leroy Anderson's orchestral Sleigh Ride and Mel Tormé's "Christmas Song." The Bach Choir sings with spirit and full, warm tone and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays with gusto. One of the most appealing tracks is an exceptionally sweet version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"... Read Less