Fancies

“… A must have for lovers of good choral music…” The Northern Echo

“… one of the most attractive choral records in recent months…” Gramophone

“…Rutter means good music, splendidly played and sung and excellent recordings …” Evening Star

“Fancies dates from over twenty years ago and was commission by the chorus and orchestra which predated the present London Sinfonia.  This cycle collects Elizabethan poetry and, much like the madrigal, conveys the fleeting brightness of expression inherent in the verses. But, unlike the madrigalists, Rutter revels in the sonic charms of his forces – here the pure bell-tones of his own Cambridge Singers against the crystalline clarity of the chamber orchestra…” Fanfare

“Here are four entirely delightful compositions …. Each has its own character. The Childhood Lyrics are unaccompanied, When Icicles Hang uses full orchestra, and Fancies a chamber group.  The Suite antique originated in a commission for a programme which also included the Fifth Brandenburg Concerto, so Rutter, good practical musician as he is, chose to write something for the same combination of instruments and at the same time to pay homage to the forms and styles of Bach’s day.”

“Under his direction the Cambridge Singers and City of London Sinfonia perform with a sure feeling for what is wanted, and they do so with fresh, youthful tone in the singers and fresh rhythmic alertness in the players.  Recorded sound is excellent, the presentation is attractive, so nothing is wanted.” Gramophone