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John Rutter: Anthems, Hymns and Gloria for Brass Band, recorded by Black Dyke Band and the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, is now at number 1 in the Official Specialist Classical Chart. After making a solid impression on its release on 24th September 2020 (coinciding with John Rutter’s birthday), the album has been propelled to the top in just three weeks after being featured as ‘Album of the Week’ on Classic FM. Black Dyke Band is one of the oldest and best-known brass bands in the world, and also lies claim to being the most recorded band in the world with over 360 recordings (a number that increases every year). 
This album features some choral favourites arranged for brass band, including the Gloria, Pie Jesu from the Requiem, and This is the Day, composed for the wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.
The full track list is as follows:
Two Hymns of Praise (1974)
1 No. 1. Now thank we all our God
2 No. 2. All creatures of our God and King
3 A Clare Benediction (1998)
4 What Sweeter Music (1987)
5 Requiem: Pie Jesu (1985)
6 As the Bridegroom to His Chosen (1989)
7 Go Forth into the World in Peace (1988)
8 Distant Land (A Prayer for Freedom) (1991)
9 The Lord Bless You and Keep You (1981)
10 All Things Bright and Beautiful (1983)
11 For the Beauty of the Earth (1980)
12 This is the Day (2011)
Gloria (1974)
13 I. Allegro vivace
14 II. Andante
15 III. Vivace e ritmico
“Arranging the choral works of John Rutter for brass band is one of those decisions that seem so obvious in retrospect that one wonders why no one thought to do it earlier.” (AllMusic)
“The highlight is the Gloria … It is difficult not to be uplifted by the sheer spirit and joie-de-vivre of what endures as one of Rutter’s most-loved and enduring creations.” (Brass Band World)
