Search - Simon Davies, John Rutter, City of London Sinfonia :: Fancies: Music by John Rutter

Elegant and fun!

Eli R. Evans | Portland, OR USA | 08/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Driving home one night, our local classical station played "Suite Antique" from Rutter's CD "Fancies." I was captivated by the beauty of the first movement especially and knew I definitely wanted to hear it again. So I ordered it. I LOVE IT. "Suite Antique" was written for the same instruments as Bach's 5th Brandenburg concerto, so it has an antique elegance, but it has a modern lilting, almost jazzy sound, which is a lot of fun to hear. The harpsichord is used in an unusual and very enjoyable way, and the flute sound is inviting, although a little overpowering at times. The rest of the works on the CD are also very nice. Rutter is a wonderful choral composer/conductor, and the pieces written for children's poetry seem to bring alive the feel of the words. They are not somber or operatic sounding, and the choir does a great job of nuancing the sounds of voices. I've been playing this CD at work, and today I was asked to order a copy of it for a customer who only heard about 30 seconds of it. It pretty much sells itself!"

Where fancy is bred

M. Wyman | Toronto, ON, Canada | 07/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am surprised there are not more reviews here yet of this marvelous CD. I heartily concur with the other reviewer; it is a magnificent and fun trip. If the reader knows Rutter's music at all, he will probably know that he has a rare melodic gift; the settings and songs on this CD will linger long in your mind after it has stopped playing. I tell you truly: if you enjoy choral music in any form, you should buy this collection immediately. It has in it the pure delight of childhood, viewed with the wisdom of age. And if you enjoy Rutter's style, try also the more brooding and powerful Requiem. A treasure."

Beautiful music, beautifully performed

Gontroppo | Bathurst, NSW Australia | 05/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an appealing CD. Each set of pieces is enjoyable, but I have a special love for the last set, When Icicles Hang. I first heard my son's school choir sing "Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind" and I have been hooked on that song cycle ever since.The harsh reviewers do have a point: too much Rutter can be too much of a good thing, but his music is a valuable part of the whole spectrum.Bearing this in mind, you will enjoy the collection, as long as you don't want Rutter to be your musical Alpha and Omega."