John rutter composer biography paper
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John Rutter on ClassicFM.com
6 December 2012, 16:48 | Updated: 12 December 2012, 17:29
Christmas carols, favourite pieces, choral music, and conquering the states: the reigning king of festive music, John Rutter answered your choral conundrums online with Tim Lihoreau.
If you've ever performed in a choir, there's a high chance you've encountered some of John Rutter's well-known choral music, be it an anthem like Gaelic Blessing or The Lord Bless You and Keep You, or an arrangement of a well-loved Christmas carol. Tim Lihoreau got into the festive spirit and posed your choral conundrums to the composer.
Tim Lihoreau: Good Morning, John. It's very kind of you to spare us some of your time - and close to Christmas, too. Which sort of leads me nicely on to my first question: Presumably, this is a busy time for you, isn't it?
Always a busy time for musicians around now, yes - but I don't think we'd have it any other way. Lots of concerts, not much time for Christmas shopping. Haven't written my Christmas cards yet.
Tim Lihoreau: I'm shocked about the Christmas cards! Is there a big focal point for you, concert-wise? The Albert Hall event has passed, now, hasn't it?
Yes - two happy concerts with a huge crowd of people, and the unique thing about it was that they al
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Q&A with John Rutter
John answers 10 questions he’s asked regularly.
Do you come from a musical family?
Neither of my parents were musicians – my father was fond of music and played the piano a bit by ear, but he had no musical training, he was a scientist by profession. My mother was tuned in to the world of literature and drama, happy to see me make my way in music.
Who has inspired you musically?
In my early years, the music teachers who nurtured me at school, chiefly Edward Chapman (in whose memory I wrote The Lord bless you and keep you), a gifted composer and organist who always believed in my talent and encouraged me to make music my way of life. Then at Cambridge I met Sir David Willcocks, legendary director of King’s College Choir, who invited me to co-edit Carols for Choirs 2 and the later volumes of the series and who became a lifelong mentor and champion.
You are famed for your training days. Which composer’s training day would you love to attend (time travel is allowed)?
They’re not really training days, they’re called just ‘singing days’ – open to all who love to sing and want to enjoy a day’s choral singing without a concert to worry about. But if I were to attend one led by a great figure of the past, it would have to be J. S. Bach –
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On John Rutter's 'Hymn get in touch with the Author of Light'...
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