John Rutter |Magnificat

German audiences became aware of the English composer John Rutter only a few years ago. In contrast, he is one of the most performed artists in his home country. This recording by the Knabenchor Hannover features two of Rutter’s works which will also give great joy to many younger listeners. In his Magnificat setting, Rutter combines Latin-American rhythms, allusions to film music, as well as English Christmas carols and Gregorian chant into an impressive work for solo soprano, choir, and orchestra. Not only the combination of Latin and English texts demonstrates that Rutter’s Magnificat is a unique work in every respect. First performed in 1990 under the direction of the composer at Carnegie Hall, it presents a stunning, completely new kind of interpretation of the Virgin Mary’s song of praise. The soprano Carmen Fuggiss, the Knabenchor Hannover, and the Nürnberger Symphoniker join forces under the direction of Jörg Breiding on this recording. The disc’s second work, ‘Bruder Heinrich’s Weihnachten’, is a premiere recording and is performed in German. Couched in mellow sounds, Arndt Schmöle reads this Christmas story accompanied by the Knabenchor Hannover and the Nürnberger Symphoniker. The CD’s special feature: lovingly prepared drawings by Karl-Heinz Brecheis illustrate the story of brother Heinrich and his donkey Sigismund.