December 9, 2010 | In: Eye Lift

Rutter: Requiem

Rutter’s Requiem, his first composition written without being commissioned, is a convincing affirmation of Christian doctrine pertaining to death and eternal life. It is also a substantial and sincere work that strives to be widely appealing while preserving a spiritual context centered around themes of light and consolation. Highlights include “Out of the Deep,” its modal tune and harmonies giving it the flavor of a spiritual, and the wonderfully gentle and restful 23rd Psalm. Rutter personalizes his Requiem by adding movements not traditionally part of the Requiem Mass–passages from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, for instance–and this proves to be an effective strategy. The Cambridge Singers are superb as usual, and soloist Caroline Ashton steals the show with her heavenly Pie Jesu. –David Vernier

Rating: (out of reviews)