Classical Tranquillity Coming Soon

We’re delighted to share news of John Rutter’s first orchestral album for several years: Classical Tranquillity, recorded with Manchester Camerata. The new release comprises tranquil classical music by a selection of composers, including J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Erik Satie, newly arranged and orchestrated by John Rutter. There’s also an orchestral version of John’s choral setting of Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

John writes:

“Tranquillity is a state of mind. You might be more likely to describe a favourite countryside scene rather than a person as ‘tranquil’, but you are really describing the effect it has on you. You feel calm, serene, still, at peace, relaxed, untroubled, chilled-out . . . Perhaps we have so many different words for this state of mind because it is so important, and yet so elusive in an often noisy, frantic world.

Music has an extraordinary power to evoke tranquillity – as is revealed in the eleven pieces I have chosen to make up this collection. Ten of them happen to be among my personal favourites, drawn from the music of seven composers, plus the treasure trove of anonymous folk music, and I have added an orchestral version of my choral setting of Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace, a text formerly believed to be by St Francis of Assisi.”

The full track listing is as follows:

• She moved through the fair Irish folk song arranged by John Rutter
• Daydream (from Gymnopédie no.1) Erik Satie, orchestrated by John Rutter
• On hearing the first cuckoo in spring Frederick Delius
• Pavane pour une infant défunte Maurice Ravel
• Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace (from Five Meditations for Orchestra) John Rutter
• The Railway Children (from Symphonic Dance no. 2, Op.64) Edvard Grieg, adapted by John Rutter
• Bist du bei mir J. S. Bach, arranged by John Rutter
• Menuet (from Sonatine) Maurice Ravel, orchestrated by John Rutter
• Clair de lune Claude Debussy, orchestrated by John Rutter
• Where’er you walk (from Semele) G. F. Handel, arranged by John Rutter
• Sheep may safely graze (from Cantata no. 208) J. S. Bach, arranged by John Rutter

Classical Tranquillity will be released on Friday 3rd November across all digital streaming platforms, and will also be available to buy as a CD (CSCDS 402, released on Collegium Records).