What sweeter music - John Rutter, The Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia
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- Опубліковано 1 лют 2018
- '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
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Website: www.johnrutter.com
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
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.
What a wonderful tribute to the power of music to move us.
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.
Beautifully said about a beautiful piece.
It is beautiful and comforting. I find myself listening to it from memory some mornings.
Surely this music is eternal. From times past and times to come…
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.
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.
There's nothing sweeter than John Rutter's music. 💕
or a carol for to sing
This is one of the most beautiful choral pieces of all time. The last time I performed it with a wonderful choir, I cried.
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!
Let's also give some credit to Herrick for his beautiful poem. Great words here inspire a fine and sensitive musical setting.
As a lyricist, I second that motion!
Absolutely. By itself it is Christmas to me.
I agree 💯%... the words of this Poem are so perfect for the real meaning of Christmas.
John Rutter will most certainly be commissioned as the premier choral director in heaven.
When I listen to his music I think only a good, pure soul could have written it.
Him and Alan Menken
together with J.S.Bach
I hope so.This is beautiful music
@@kensmechanicalaffair ... and let's not forget the great Josquin Desprez!
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.
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.
During the dark winter days of Advent...so beautiful.
I'm agnostic, but the sheer beauty and reverence of this piece always bring me to tears.
Me too, Meg
Well said.
What a lovely comment. Bless you.
So is John Rutter.
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!
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.
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.
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 ❤️
Transcendent, powerful and yet offering such peace
Beautiful unforced voices and wonderful control...hypnotic.
My absolute favourite. Sends a shiver down my spine every time I listen to it and brings tears to my eyes.
I love it!
Me too.
Lyrics from the great 17th-century British poet, Robert Herrick: "A Christmas Carol, Sung to the King
in the Presence at White-Hall."
Reduces me to tears.
Most beautiful carol ever.
Feel like I am in heaven when listening to this. Without peer among all Christmas anthems.
It comes directly to my deepest heart
What sweeter music than this could ever be?!?
Now this is music
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.
Beautiful! Brings such a sense of Peace and Reverence!
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.
It only matters that you were introduced to this wondrous music; it does not matter how! Peace and joy.
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
John Rutter is truly inspired, love all his choral pieces!
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.
This is the sound of God loving His creation, and His creation returning their love of God...
I like your comment!
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."
Magnificent. How can someone have such incredible talent?
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.
Aquinas Revival73, hello, you referred to this "male choir"...there are definitely gorgeous female voices singing too! :))
@@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! ☺️
@@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!
@@aileen694 Here is a really lovely rendition of What Sweeter Music, by a male/female choir, VocalEssence. www.youtube.com/watch?
v=fLkxe6q6UyE
Lyrics are from 17th-c. British poet, Robert Herrick: "A Christmas Carol, Sung to the King
in the Presence at White-Hall"
Thank you for the wonderful muscic Mr.John rutter
Makes me think of family holidays oh so long ago
Put this on your iPad,go and sit in York Minster,and see the beauty of God and his creations.Stunningly Beautiful!!!
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.
Beautiful
Christmas Goosebumps Galore! 👍 #superb #breathtaking #iconic #reverberating
Stunning
Oh love how deep!!!
The first line says it all. What sweeter music? Angelic!
thanks for this video, and all information.
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!
Qué dulce melodía, literalmente ;)
Muito lindo.
Went to heaven and back.🎉
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
Boris Otawa a Volvo ad. Yes!
@@maryannjensen2095 or mayb prhaps proLy was 20 yrs ago
Boris Otawa probably 30 but this song has that wonderful effect on people. One of his best works.
@@maryannjensen2095 ndeed
Hooray, it’s almost Advent!
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.
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
So true. Sadly disappointing.
That's because religion in America has turned very ugly. The original music is still beautiful and pure.
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?
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)
I'm an atheist. This music is soul food. ❤
"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
Now that's interesting. Love Herrick's poetry.
Beautiful music by John Rutter!
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?
No sweeter sound than this can bring🙏
Thank you for the lyrics.
does anyone think that the recording of this is multi-tracked? (that’s not a criticism, by the way!)
Maybe, its not uncommon.
Sigh...