It's January 13, 2023 and much of what I said below is as true as it was three years ago when we first set off on this musical and spiritual journey together.
It's January 15, 2020 and we're beginning a journey together through the spring with this beautiful piece by John Rutter that will both challenge us and, hopefully comfort us in challenging times. The challenge will be both musical and theological. The requiem is deeply seated in ancient Christian tradition and belief. John Rutter has interpreted this ancient text and, like Faure, Durufle and Brahms, has chosen to use the parts of it that bring comfort to those who have lost someone and to those who are contemplating their own mortality. We will have a chance to explore these texts and hopefully find a path towards our own understanding and interpretation of them.
On this page, I will "park" links to resources that will help us learn the music, interpret the text and understand John Rutter's approach. Thank you for joining me on this journey!
Recommended recording/YouTube video: Rutter Requiem performed by Clare College Choir. We may use this instrumentation, though I am still considering the full orchestra, based on our changed balcony configuration since 2020. Stay tuned!
This recording is also available on CD through Amazon. There seem to be a number of used copies available.
You can also download it from iTunes.
Or, you can stream the recording on the following services:
Learning Tracks: Rutter Requiem on Singing Tracks UK. These are arranged by part and by movement. Most helpful if you listen to it on a stereo system with right and left speakers. Or with headphones. The instructions for playing the tracks or downloading them are pretty good.
Also, these Rutter Requiem tracks on Cyber bass may also be helpful. I don't think you can download them, but you can listen to them as midi files on your computer.
Interview with John Rutter (with French subtitles!) about writing the Requiem
John Rutter on the Requiem - This is a YouTube playlist with 11 short films of John Rutter speaking about the Requiem. I've made it "public" so it should be accessible to everyone. I HIGHLY recommend these. We rarely get such an insight into a composer's process and thinking.
Psalm 130 "Out of the deep" commentary by Mark Throntveit
See below for program notes and other articles and resources: If you find something you'd like me to share, send me the link or the file.