John Rutter

John Rutter's Magnificat is a joyous celebration of the Virgin Mary inspired by feast-day festivities in countries such as Spain Mexico and Puerto Rico. Following the example set by Bach the Magnificat text is extended incorporating the fifteenth-century English poem 'Of a Rose' the prayers 'Sancta Maria' and the 'Sanctus' (set to the Gregorian chant of the Missa cum jubilo). The full scores for orchestra or chamber ensemble are now available on sale for the first time in handsome cloth-bound editions and the newly set orchestral parts are available on hire.

for soprano soloist mixed choir and orchestra or ensemble (with organ) This is one of the best-loved and most widely performed choral works of the twentieth century. The texts (in Latin and English) are from the Missa pro Defunctis the Book of Common Prayer and the Psalms. The seven sections form an arch-like meditation on the themes of life and death: prayers on behalf of all humanity psalms personal prayers to Christ and in the central Sanctus an affirmation of divine glory. The full scores have been edited and engraved by the composer himself and are presented in handsome cloth-bound editions. Vocal and orchestral material is available on hire.

John Rutter's timeless arrangement of Skylark a standard of the golden age of American song is rich mellow and mellifluous. Soaring lines for flute depict the eponymous songbird and the classic Hoagy Carmichael tune is shared between solo voice and choir the latter also often providing the cushion of evocative harmonies synonymous with the spiritual.