Description
for solo violin, upper-voice choir (women's and/or advanced children's choir), with harp, and strings or organ Visions is a four-movement showpiece for solo violin in unique combination with upper-voice choir, harp, and strings (or organ). Inspired by the idea of 'Jerusalem' both as a Holy City and a utopian ideal of heavenly peace and seraphic bliss, the composer has selected four biblical texts, in English and Latin, that express different aspects of this vision. The profound subject matter is taken up in the celestial soundworld of the choir and the virtuosic, vibrant, and expressive writing for violin, all set against a backdrop of rich textures and harmonies in the strings and harp. The work may be performed by women's or boys' voices. The accompaniment is available in two different instrumentations: harp and string ensemble or harp and organ.
About the Author
John Rutter studied music at Clare College, Cambridge and first came to notice as a composer and arranger of Christmas carols and other choral pieces during those early years; today his compositions, including such concert-length works as Requiem, Magnificat, Mass of the Children, The Gift of Life, and Visions are performed around the world. John edits the Oxford Choral Classics series, and, with Sir David Willcocks, co-edited four volumes of Carols for Choirs. In 1983 he formed his own choir The Cambridge Singers, with whom he has made numerous recordings on the Collegium Records label, and he appears regularly in several countries as a guest conductor and choral ambassador. John holds a Lambeth Doctorate in Music, and was awarded a CBE for services to music in 2007.
Reviews
A violin concerto with a choir in it? John Rutter's Visions probably isn't quite a concerto - he doesn't call it that - but the solo part is certainly extensive, often recalling Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascdending in shape and atmosphere . . . The tone of Visions is often lingeringly elegiac, and may well surprise those who associate Rutter primarily with . . . carols. * Terry Blain, BBC Music Magazine, March 2017 *
The visions in question are those of Jerusalem, the eternal city, and the composer himself chose apt biblical and medieval texts to form the libretto, inspired by the location of the first performance of the work, the Temple Church, London . . . In the central lament the composer employs text and melody from Byrd's 'Bow thine ear, O Lord', but provides entirely different harmony that prevents the quotation from sounding out of place. The piece is framed by accompanied plainsong, 'Urbs Jerusalem beata', which, as the composer suggests, could be used as a procession and recession for choral performances in church. * James Whitbourn, Choir & Organ March 2017 *
Melodic writing in both the choir and solo violin show Rutter in top form. The orchestra consists of strings and harp with an alternative performance score for organ. Spanning twenty minutes and requiring a violinist of considerable skill, this work is not the most practical for many church situations. As an ancillary work in a concert, however, this major offering from one the church's most beloved composers is well worth consideration. * The Journal of the Assoc. of Anglican Musicians, May 2017 *
Book Information
ISBN 9780193513181
Author John Rutter
Page Count 32
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 116g
Dimensions(mm) 279mm * 216mm * 3mm
About the Author
John Rutter studied music at Clare College, Cambridge and first came to notice as a composer and arranger of Christmas carols and other choral pieces during those early years; today his compositions, including such concert-length works as Requiem, Magnificat, Mass of the Children, The Gift of Life, and Visions are performed around the world. John edits the Oxford Choral Classics series, and, with Sir David Willcocks, co-edited four volumes of Carols for Choirs. In 1983 he formed his own choir The Cambridge Singers, with whom he has made numerous recordings on the Collegium Records label, and he appears regularly in several countries as a guest conductor and choral ambassador. John holds a Lambeth Doctorate in Music, and was awarded a CBE for services to music in 2007.
Reviews
A violin concerto with a choir in it? John Rutter's Visions probably isn't quite a concerto - he doesn't call it that - but the solo part is certainly extensive, often recalling Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascdending in shape and atmosphere . . . The tone of Visions is often lingeringly elegiac, and may well surprise those who associate Rutter primarily with . . . carols. * Terry Blain, BBC Music Magazine, March 2017 *
The visions in question are those of Jerusalem, the eternal city, and the composer himself chose apt biblical and medieval texts to form the libretto, inspired by the location of the first performance of the work, the Temple Church, London . . . In the central lament the composer employs text and melody from Byrd's 'Bow thine ear, O Lord', but provides entirely different harmony that prevents the quotation from sounding out of place. The piece is framed by accompanied plainsong, 'Urbs Jerusalem beata', which, as the composer suggests, could be used as a procession and recession for choral performances in church. * James Whitbourn, Choir & Organ March 2017 *
Melodic writing in both the choir and solo violin show Rutter in top form. The orchestra consists of strings and harp with an alternative performance score for organ. Spanning twenty minutes and requiring a violinist of considerable skill, this work is not the most practical for many church situations. As an ancillary work in a concert, however, this major offering from one the church's most beloved composers is well worth consideration. * The Journal of the Assoc. of Anglican Musicians, May 2017 *
Book Information
ISBN 9780193513181
Author John Rutter
Page Count 32
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 116g
Dimensions(mm) 279mm * 216mm * 3mm
