Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble - John Rutter: A Clare College Celebration (The Christmas Edition) (2025)

The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge and Graham Ross celebrate John Rutter's 80th birthday (on 24th September) by releasing a special album of choral pieces linked to Clare College. The album includes pieces that Rutter wrote when he was a student himself at Clare College; when he was director of the Choir in the mid-1970s, and pieces comissioned or gifted to Clare over the years, some of which are recorded here for the very first time.

Graham Ross says: "No other living English composer has made a greater contribution to choral music worldwide than John Rutter. Sir John’s ability to write a new melody that somehow at once feels familiar and memorable, combined with an immaculate intertwining of harmony and word setting, has resulted in a large body of works that are performed and enjoyed by amateur and professional musicians alike across the globe. A lifelong ambassador for choral music and the arts, John’s unwavering commitment has extended far beyond his own music, working as a highly-distinguished editor, publisher, conductor, speaker, and record producer, to name but a few of the strings to his bow. He also happens to be one of the most kind and generous individuals in the business.

For over six decades Clare College has enjoyed a close associationwith John and his music. As my predecessor but-one, John was instrumental in bringing Clare and its music onto the national and international stage, directing what was then Cambridge’s first ever mixed voice choir in its early days after the College had gone co-educational in the early 1970s. This new album is a celebration of Sir John’s music from his alma mater, with a number of the works indelibly linked with Clare College – some instantly familiar, others recorded here for the first time. It is as much a personal tribute as it is public: the success that Clare music enjoys today owes much to John, and I am much indebted to him for his friendship and support throughout my career to date. This is truly A Clare College Celebration of one of our College’s most distinguished musical alumni."

Tracklist
1. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: A Clare Benediction
2. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Ave Maria
3. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Five Orchestral Meditations: No. 5, The Lord bless you and keep you
4. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: A Ukrainian Prayer
5. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: A Gaelic Blessing
6. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Bard's Eye View: I. O mistress mine
7. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Bard's Eye View: II. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day
8. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Bard's Eye View: III. Sigh no more, ladies
9. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Nativity Carol
10. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Christ is the morning star
11. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Shepherd's Pipe Carol (Bonus Track)
12. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Carol of the Magi (Bonus Track)
13. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day (Bonus Track)
14. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Five Orchestral Meditations: No. 3, Candlelight Carol (Bonus Track)
15. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: Mary's Lullaby (Bonus Track)
16. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: What sweeter music (Bonus Track)
17. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: The Gift of Life (Version with Chamber Ensemble): I. O all ye works of the Lord
18. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: The Gift of Life (Version with Chamber Ensemble): II. The tree of life
19. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: The Gift of Life (Version with Chamber Ensemble): III. Hymn to the Creator of Light
20. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: The Gift of Life (Version with Chamber Ensemble): IV. O Lord, how manifold are thy works
21. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: The Gift of Life (Version with Chamber Ensemble): V. The gift of each day
22. Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Dmitri Ensemble & Graham Ross - Rutter: The Gift of Life (Version with Chamber Ensemble): VI. Believe in life

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