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contemporary composers
John RUTTER (b.1945)
Fancies |
The Cambridge Singers · City of London Sinfonia
COLLEGIUM RECORDS COLCD 117
Duke Dobing flute · Wayne Marshall harpsichord
conducted by John Rutter
Libretto in English only.
[64:10] full-price
Left: Detail from 'The Magic Apple Tree'
Throughout this album, there is a hint of a more conservative choral
style, with less of the commercially successful devices. In fact - it is
ironical but not surprising that Rutter's fancies (the idea) should
come across as more serious than his serious music! His choral style in
these short works reveal a more robust inner voice than his commerical
successes. Hear "Icicles" and "Winter wakeneth all my care" in the suite
When Icicles Hang - one can detect an earnest Rutter voice that I
believe represents the Rutter musician. In fact, his use of the voice is
entirely fascinating in the entire suite! This is astounding music.
Less so, but still special are his Fancies (the Suite). It is instantly
captivating from the first movement till the last. Rutter captures the
aforementioned fleeting spirit and throws me into a distant mood, images
pulsing by - never lingering long enough but leaving dashes of colour and
sound. Hear the "Urchin's Dance" - you must certainly agree with such
delightful writing.
Two of the Five Childhood Lyrics were songs I sang in choir when I was 16.
"The Owl and the Pussy Cat" and "Sing a Song of Sixpence" must
surely be part of many a childhood. I recited them in kindergarten blur,
I sang them with youthful relish and I still find them enjoyable now in my adulthood!
They are first-class choral arrangements and indeed Rutter captures the
efferverscent and the child in Lear with his treatment of these evergreen
limericks. Caroline Ashton has a remarkably boyish soprano voice that is
apt for these lyrics. I love that tone very much.
Recorded in 1991, there is a mild compression of the choral sound into the
central channel, losing a little of the clarity and spaciousness expected
of modern recordings. The Cambridge Singers are as usual, remarkably
clean with ensemble work, sporting a beautiful choral tone and producing
effective music under the direction of John Rutter, who conducts
without surprises - his pacing and interpretation is entirely
convincing.
This is a very intelligent production despite its kiddish title/subject
and childish cover (which I find creatively pleasing!). In all it
puts one well in the mood for this music, which Rutter achieves through the
universal appeal of his creative voice, intelligently fusing serious
musical purpose with very attractive and approachable style. What an
interesting album!
Titled Fancies, the music herein are short pieces collected around
whimsical themes. Rutter allows himself the pleasure of putting '
fleeting ideas, dreams and whim that flit like Will-O'-the wisps' into
fruition in the form of music. In doing so - he mirrors the fondness of
Elizabethan composers Weelkes, Wilby and Morley in their settings of
poetry revolving about such vagaries. Rutter takes his text from notaries
such as Shakespeare, Thomas Campion (1567-1620), the eternal Edward Lear
(1812-1888) and others. Each not lasting more than 4 minutes, there is a
lot of musical extravagance. This further captures the unsettling essence
of such impulses - everyone who is vaguely creative will understand that
'fancies' do have an ability to pull at the heart strings - a kind of dim
wilfulness accompanied by fluffy moodiness. I too, must not elucidate
this further...
by Samuel Palmer.
Rutter's "Fancies" (the album) encompasses a large palette of styles; in the
Suite Antique, he marries quite some jazz together with the comparatively ancient
harpsichord. Set for flute, harpsichord and strings, the two soloists -
Duke Dobing and Wayne Marshall - have much synergy and the entire set is
energised by their presence. Rutter (right) sometimes comes dangerously close to
sounding cliché in this work but is saved by the persuasiveness of the
whole set.
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Adčs: Life Story Arnold: Orchestral Works Daugherty: American Icons Elias: The Prayer Cycle Górecki: Symphony of Sorrowful Songs De Meij: Lord of the Rings Nyman: Piano Concerto. MGV Nyman: Where the Bee Dances |
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Pärt: Summa. Fratres Penderecki: Violin Concerti Rutter: Te Deum, et al. Sallinen: Works for Strings Stolarczyk: Symphony for 96 Pianos Tan Dun: Symphony 1997 Tavener: The Protecting Veil Vasks: Cello Concerto. Voices |
ink-troduction
Ng Yeuk Fan remembers Miss Muffet, who was chased by the Woman who lived in a Shoe to give up her cereals to Tommy Tucker, who plucked out a spider from his pie...Eh, or was it the woman with the empty larder...
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