Welcome to the new official John Rutter site, bringing together information about John’s music, recordings, and live appearances. We hope you’ll find it a useful resource!
News
Welcome to the new John Rutter website
Monday 27th September, 2010
151 Comments
Join the Discussion
Upcoming Appearances
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Come & Sing | Fringe in the Fen
6th July, 2013, 10:00am
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Come & Sing | Winchester
13th July, 2013, 11:00am
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Come & Sing | Exon Singers Festival
27th July, 2013, 10:30am
Latest News
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Guest Presenter on Radio 3 ‘The Choir’
19th April, 2013
Tune in to The Choir on Radio 3 on Sunday at 5pm to hear a 90 minute programme John’s made about Cambridge Choirs, celebrating the diversity of choral music-making taking place in and around the City. Continue reading
I sang in the group choir at Carnegie Hall, NY summer of 1998 for 10th anniversary of John Rutter’s debut. Is it possible to buy a photo of that performance? I was front row center stage. My local community choir: Coastal Voices in Santa Maria, CA USA will be singing all John Rutter music for our December concert. Our retreat is mid August and a photo would be great to share my experience. BTW: I already called Carnegie and they do not keep photos of John’s concerts. PLEASE HELP ASAP. Thanks. Connie in Pismo Beach CA
You should try Mid-America: http://www.midamerica-music.com.
They may have a photo of the evening, if one was taken. We don’t have one here.
Yours,
Matthew
My small church in the USA would like to use the Gloria and also the Sanctus with Benedictus from the Communion Service, Series 3, to be sung by our congregation during worship. To help in the flow of the service (not searching in a book for music) we normally print the service music in the bulletin (always with permission). Is it possible to buy copies of just these pieces – I would be willing to buy enough copies so we don’t have to reprint, but am looking for them outside of a bound copy of the entire Communion Service. Or if I could get a .pdf of just those, would be willing to pay for the equivalent of purchasing 50 copies. I’m trying to be copyright compliant, and love this version of the Glory and Sanctus.
Hi there. I have great memories of singing “for the beauty of the earth” in choirs when i was young and wanted to use it as a hymn for my wedding. Having had a look through the net I believe the choral arrangement too complex for a congregation. Am i right in thinking I will have to choose something else?
Thank you
Hi! I’ve been following your blog for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Austin Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the good job!
Hello John
I am coming to your workshop in Winchester on July 13th. Any chance that we could sing your Magnificat? This is a very,very special piece of your music for me.
Best regards
Joy
Hi,
I’m a part of a music class in school and we sing many John Rutter pieces, like “The Lord Bless you and Keep you” “Christmas lullaby” and “This is the day” but unfortunately a number of us are graduating this year. Our music teacher is a HUGE fan of John Rutter and a huge inspiration to us also. We were wondering if John could record a video of him thanking our music teacher for her hard work and dedication for the class all these years, just a few words on behalf of our class. She is a great fan of yours and so are we. This would certainly make her year. Please email me soon as I would like to give details but in private. Thank you.
Whilst living in London during the late 70′s I was a friend of Peter Rostal… It would be wonderful to make contact with him again after all these years to reminisce about how things were back then and swap views on how things are so very different today. If you can help in any way to enable me to reestablish contact with Peter I would be eternally grateful. Best regards, Stephan Antonie Kruis (aka Duncan Rutherford)
Please advise::
We would like to print the title of the music and composer, For the Beauty of the Earth, by John Rutter in a memorial service hand–out.
(no lyrics or music included). One-time use only for those in attendance. The musicians have already purchased the music. Do I need permission to acknowlwdge the title of the music and composer in the hand-out. What copyright rules to follow?
Hi -
Thanks for your post. It is fine for you to print the title and composer in the memorial service hand-out.
Best wishes, Emma Harrison
Dear Mr. Rutter,
I have long been a fan of your fabulous original music and arrangements. My fifth novel is going to be released and to add to the publicity on my website, I am creating a 3-1/2 minute video clip with photos, video, and voice-overs. I would love to set this against a background of your orchestration of “O Waly, Waly” as recorded on your more recent CD called A Distant Land. Would you be so kind as to either grant me permission to use it gratis, or let me know what the fee would be? If you prefer not to either grant or sell the rights to the song, I understand, but it is actually a tune that features throughout the novel set during the American Revolution. The book is called My Name Is Resolute, published by St. Martin’s Press – a Division of Macmillan Company. Thank you so much for your kind consideration. I remain a fan—- Nancy E. Turner
Dear Ms Turner,
Thank you for your message. The track you mention – O Waly, Waly – on the CD “Distant Land” is a Universal Classical and Jazz Recording. You would need to contact them about getting permission to use the audio recording. Licensing and sales defray the costs of recording the project; it will almost certainly incur a fee for this type of synchronisation.
Yours,
Matthew
Hi John
I’ve enjoyed singing many of your pieces over the years and was delighted to sing on an OUP Christmas music CD you produced a few years back. I was wondering whether your ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’ has been arranged for solo voice and organ/piano. My grandmother has requested that I sing it at my grandfather’s funeral and rather than attempting fancy footwork with the choral score it would be great to know if there is a solo version available.
Many thanks
Ann
Dear Ann,
The Lord bless you and keep you is available in Oxford Solo Songs: Sacred – which can be purchased directly from OUP.
Yours,
Matthew
A very cheeky request! Urmston Choral Society in Manchester (of which I am the Hon Sec) recently performed “A Diminished Mass” by Alan A. Craig, which was very successful and well-received. The 1st half of the programme consisted of anthems by yourself and Bob Chilcott. A choir member got Chilcott’s autograph on a concert programme, and we are confident that Alan Craig would provide the same, as we are in personal contact with him. Is there any chance that you would consider adding your signature to the same programme, please? If so, please email me with a contact address to which I can send the programme. (I would keep it confidential). Thank you.
Dear Kathleen,
You can send it to PO BOX 664, Huntingdon, PE29 9HX. Include a note with what you would like, and a Stamped addressed envelope for return.
Yours,
Matthew
Thank you very much. The programme is on its way. Kath
Dear Mr. Rutter, I am a flutist in San Diego and a few years ago I played under your conducting, it was amazing. Thank you for that wonderful experience. In the near future, I am going to perform Suite Antique for a concert series In Temecula. I would love to be able to talk about the composition, giving the audience some “inside” info straight from the composer! What inspired you to write the piece, or any information you would be willing to give that is unique to this piece when you composed it. thank you so much!
Dear Cathy,
A programme note on the Suite Antique is available here: http://www.collegium.co.uk/content/Rutter+Programme+Notes/3#Suite, and has some detail.
Hope that helps,
Best,
Matthew
John’s PA
thank you!
Hello, I was just wondering if there was any sheet music of Suite Antique for free.
Marta,
There is no free sheet music of John’s work. It is how he makes his living.
Yours,
Matthew
Dear Mr. Rutter,
I’m a student at the college of music in cologne, who took the orchestral version of your wonderful “Star Carol” and transcribed it into a version for concert band. The choir parts are fully included in the orchestral setting, so that the arrangement can be played with or without singers. When I finished my work last month, I couldn’t belive, how great that “Star Carol” just with my Finale 2013 sounds sounded. It would be a pity if the score stays just in my drawer.
My question is: Is there any chance to send you the score and, if you like it, to publish that version? I think your work would be a great enrichment for concert band literature.
Best wishes from Germany
David Witsch
Dear David,
Thank you for your email. This is a question for OUP, John’s publisher – as you would need to publish it under license. There are a number of licensees already publishing arrangements of John’s pieces for concert band. You should contact Khol Dieu at OUP who is responsible for granting permission on behalf of the publisher. Her email is: khol.dieu@oup.com
Yours,
Matthew
PA to John Rutter
Dear john,
My name is Gabriele (I’m from Italy). I direct a little catholic choir. I always appreciated your music and arrangements but i just heard “Joy to the World! (John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers)” and I loved it immedialtely. it’s amazing mainly on the third strophe.
I would like to propose this arragement in the next our Christmas Concert. Can you help me to figure out where can I buy this version?
Thank you so much for everything you do for music.
I apologize for my english !
Best regards.
Dear Gabriele,
You can purchase the Joy to the World from:
Hinshaw Music in US: http://media.hinshawmusic.com/details.php?details=HMC785&pdf=1&image=0
OUP in UK: http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780193431171.do#.UWfMciuglgs
Yours,
Matthew
John’s PA
Thank you bery much, I’ll do soon.
Best regards,
Gabriele
How do we go about getting permission to record a CD that will include Suite Antique by John Rutter?
Dear Sharon,
You do not need permission to record the Suite Antique, but you will need a license from the MCPS to include it.
Yours,
Matthew
Dear Mr. Rutter
I am a member of the SATB chorus, chorus group of 45 persons at Ushiku city, the small town in Japan. We are small chorus group, but we have a passion very much.
We decided to hold a concert in July. And we will perform the hymn that you composed: We want to play ”The Music s Always There with You” and “Psalm 23″(The LORD is My Shepherd) .
We have two requests to you.
1. I want to have permission of translation of your words to Japanese. Because I want to put the Japanese translation of the text on a program,
2. I noticed that the text of Psalm 23 is different from King James Version. Could you tell me where is original place of your poem ?
I am very glad that I can sing your beautiful song.
I sing with the Bach Society of Dayton, a choral music group in Dayton, Ohio, USA. We sing everything from Bach to contemporary composers. We are preparing a series of banners to be displayed at our concerts. One banner is designed to depict a number of choral composers, early music through contemporary, arranged around an image of Bach. We would like permission to include your image as part of the banner. How should I go about getting the proper permission? And thank you for your beautiful music.
I would like to obtain permission to do a one off performance of a version of ‘Put On The Amour Of The Lord’ by John Rutter. It will be performed in support of a Preston Guild Lent Series event as a part of a Worship section. Could you please give advise how to obtain permission?
Thank You
Regards
Fran Daly
You need to contact Khol Dieu at OUP – 01865 355077.
Yours,
Matthew
Dear Mr. Rutter,
My name is Brett Calo and I am a junior in NYU Tisch’s film and television program. My mother passed away a week and a half ago after a long battle with breast cancer. I am making a film in her memory this semester while studying abroad in Prague. Psalm 23 was read at her funeral and I have always been a fan of your composition “Requiem 6: The Lord is My Shepherd,” which uses these lyrics. I was wondering how I should go about getting permission to arrange an a cappella version of this song for my student film. I noticed that you mentioned the name Khol Dieu to other people asking permission, but I wanted to make sure that this person also takes care of film-related inquiries. Thanks for your time and congratulations on your many years of amazing work.
All the best,
Brett Calo
I would like to arrange the first movement (Prelude) of Suite Antique for Solo Flute and Concert Band.
Please can you tell me if this is possible and who I need to contact to obtain permission. Or, if it is already available in this format which we can purchase?
Many thanks
David Smart LLCM
Director of Music
Farnborough Concert Band
of
The Royal British Legion
Dear Mr Smart,
You need to contact Khol Dieu at OUP who is responsible for granting permission on behalf of the publisher. Her email is: khol.dieu@oup.com
Yours,
Matthew
Dear John,
We plan to perform Suite Antique in April with our quartet, plus flute and keyboard. Can you say if you have any objection to our playing this in a different order, and/or missing out item 6, which is proving tricky!
Best wishes,
Margaret
Dear John
At the risk of sounding like a hopeless groupie! I just want to say that your music is so, so gorgeous, especially the Christmas music, although everything that you do is ok by me – it makes me smile and also brings tears to my eyes – happy ones of course!
Thank you so very much from a very very big fan x
After hearing my granddaughter singing in a school choir I was inspired to write the lyrics for a Christmas Carol for children. I have completed the task and am seriously looking for a composer/arranger to write the music for Christmas 2013.
Do you think John would be interested ?
Maestro Buongiorno!
We are interested to propose with Orchestra Sinfonica Verdi Milano a Concert with Beatles Music.
Would like to propose your piano Concert (Beatles Concerto) but we need the arrangements for Orchestra as well as all the sheet music.
Naturally we are preapared to rent them.
We would be really grateful to recive your information.
We find your music an excellent way to connect the human soul and a deep reflection on humanity.
Grazie
Franco Di Bartolomeo
Dear Francesco,
Regrettably, despite many years of people enquiring, the Beatles concerto for two pianos is not available. The original commissioners retain the rights to performance, and they do not wish others to do so.
I’m very sorry, but we are powerless in this situation.
Yours,
Matthew
I’m “stuck” here in Jomtien, Thailand teaching English, and have missed the celebrations in England that I’m so used to at Christmas time. However, listening to my personally signed cd of John Rutter’s “Music for Christmas” has really helped to make it feel like Christmas for me, here in 30 degree celsius temperatures! Wonderfully inspirational music, thanks so much John.
I just heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing the New Year song. Where can I find the lyrics? It was beautiful
Hello-
I would like to know if it would be possible to arrange the piano part to Suite Antique for guitar? It is a favorite piece, and I would love to be able to perform it with my guitar partner.
Thank you,
Laura Schulkind
Our choir performed Joy To the World with a 13 piece orchestra on Sunday and we would like to post the recording on our youtube site, so that more people can experience it. What must we do in order for that to happen?
Barry
Lovely to see so many sharing in this wonderful choral music. Over the years both I and my daughter have performed many of these thoughtful and touching pieces in our choral experiences. Thank you for all you do to make music a blessing.
One question though, why does no one perform the second verse of A Clare Benediction? I’ve been searching for a recording to practise with and have found nothing. All the performances are the first verse, or the first verse repeated.
Dear John,
I was at the 3 pm Christmas Program at Albert Hall, visiting from Los Angeles. When you announced the quiz question where “Janice Joplin” was the answer, I knew the answer before you even had the question. I was determined to answer in a loud, clear voice as soon as you asked the question. And as soon as you did, I the first to say loudly, “JANICE JOPLIN” to which you answered “wrong’! I was astounded as was everyone else around me. And then, when someone from the back said, “Janice Joplin”, you said “CORRECT”! Not only did the first and second violinist look at me incredulously, but when I looked around, there were about 2,000 people with their jaws dropped, as I was the first to say, loudlly and clearnly, “JANICE JOPLIN”. You can even consult with the 1st and 2nd violinist as they were looking at me with a “Whatt ?????”. You can email me if you reconsider, but I should have won a CD, fairly and squarely. All the people around me could not believe what had transpired.
Cordially,
Richard Cullen
Dear Mr Rutter,
Could you please tell me where I can get hold of the sheet music for the harp arrangement you have done for the Gaelic Blessing? Many thanks.
Hi John
Your music is so beautiful and my school choir has responded so well to your Christmas music that I would love to teach them more of your carols. However, even though I m. Pianist I find many of the pieces difficult to play. Can I reiterate what others have already asked and request that you release some backing tracks for use by choirs like mine?
Here’s hoping.
Best wishes.
Thank you for this beautiful music. As a choir, we are working on the Magnificat and I have a question about “of a rose” :
I have translated it for my friends into french but I have a problem about the words “ne know I none” in the sentence “a fairer rose to mine liking in all the world ne know I none”. I know it’s old English and I understand the meaning but not the grammatical construction. Is there a specialist of medieval English among your admirors ? Simone
Hello,
I would like to request permission to arrange What Sweeter Music for a different orchestration for a single performance. How must I proceed?
Best Regards,
Bernard Blary
Mr. Rutter: In a recent computer wreck I lost a treasured recording: the Cambridge Singers performing a probably 16th-century 4-part Latin setting distinguised by Caroline Ashton’s descant. In the repeated chorus she leaps a 4th to somewhere near the top of her range. Please let me have the composer’s name (Italian, I recall) if you can figure out my description. Ms. Ashton, of course, distinguishes everything she sings. I know what I’m talking about. — Lee Stavenhagen, former member, Berkelely Chamber Singers.
Allegri Miserere?
Dear John,
Is there a male voice choral arrangement of “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” ?
dear mr. rutter,
are there any guitar chords i can utilize for ” look at the world”? my church would like our praise band to perform this on this upcoming sunday with the choir and i cannot find guitar chords anywhere? can you direct me?
I am trying to find sheet music to “Adeste Fideles” as recorded by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble with organ and percussion. On the jacket of the CD it lists John Rutter as the arranger. Is this arrangement published and available for purchase or rental? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.
We are a small children’s choir but would love to sing some of John Rutter’s beautiful music for our Christmas concert. Are there any 2-part carols suitable for singing by children from ages 7-11.
Thank you
Dear Caroline,
You could try any of the following:
The Colours of Christmas: OUP
The Donkey Carol : OUP
Angels’ Carol : OUP
I hope that is of some use.
Best,
Matthew
Mr. Rutter:
Will you ever be performing in the U.S.A – New York, Boston or Connecticut.
I have your CD “Distant Land” and the Beatles Concerto for 2 pianos and orchestra with Rostal and Schaefer was beautiful. Have Rostal and Schaefer even been on a CD?
Dear Cynthia,
John regularly performs in New York. Keep an eye on the facebook page, or the appearances page on the website.
Best,
Matthew
Hi Matthew
I wish to direct a rather personal and confidential letter to John Rutter but unfortunately there is no email facility provided on the this website. Is there anyway that I can direct a letter or email to him personally ? I would be very grateful if you could kindly assist me in this matter
Kind regards
John Campbell-Hynes
Dear John,
If you send an email to info@collegium.co.uk, we will be sure to pass it on to John. Alternatively, you can post it to Collegium Records, PO BOX 664, Huntingdon, PE29 9HX.
Best,
Matthew
Hello. I was wondering if there is a published concert band arrangement of What Sweeter Music? If any info is available, I would be very grateful.
Dear Brian,
There is! It is available from http://www.bandmusicpdf.net/OUP—Page-3.html. It’s part of the Meditation set. I believe there are plans to do a separate score, but we are not responsible for the production. You might like to get in touch with http://www.bandmusicpdf.net directly; pmnoble@earthlink.net.
Best,
Matthew
Dear John Rutter,
Please advise us on how to pay copyright fees for printing the words of “For the Beauty of the Earth” in the wedding service sheet we plan and what is the likely time scale for permission ?
Many thanks.
A.Bostock
Dear Angela,
It depends on your location, but if it is for a church service, then most churches have an appropriate license in place. The text is by F.S. Pierpoint, and you would need a copyright permission from whoever is the right holder of the text – he died in 1917, so it is probably out of copyright.
best,
Matthew
Dear mister Rutter,
I’m a choral conducting student from Belgium and I’m interested in performing your ‘Cradle Song’ at Christmas with one of my choirs. It is based on a Flemish traditional carol, but I can’t seem to find on which one? Could you maybe let me know the title of that Flemish carol? Thank you very much.
Dear John,
Hope you are well…
I would like to enquire how to go about obtaining permission from you to perform Angel’s Carol at our parish this coming Christmas, as our current copyright licences cover only some of your songs (and not Angel’s Carol).
I look forward to your reply!
Thank you!!
Warmest regards,
Andy from Perth, Western Australia
Dear Andy,
I’m not entirely sure what the position is in Australia with permissions and licenses. Ordinarily for church services a license is not necessary. For a public performance such as a concert, however, a license is required. You would need to obtain one from OUP if the latter applies. They have an online form: http://www.oup.co.uk/music/musicrights/performing/.
I hope this is useful – sorry not to be more definitive.
Best,
Matthew
dear M. Rutter I am looking for the german version text of yours Now we thanks all our God, It was performed in german language for the venue of the Pope Benedict in Freiburg germany there are many videos in you tube Nun danket alle gott John Rutter, so can you please let me know where to find this particular version of your anthem with German text.
thanks a lot for your assistance
Dear Leonat,
I think this was transcribed especially for the performance. The Hymn with the English text is available here: http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780193853607.do#. You could write the German text beneath, but it hasn’t been published in that format.
Yours,
Matthew
Mr. Rutter – is there a concert band arrangement of “Distant Land,” or the possibility of one becoming available?
Dear jim,
There is a concert band arrangement (although not by John) available to purchase. You can see it, and buy it from: http://www.bandmusicpdf.net/OUP—Page-3.html.
Best,
Matthew
John’s assistant
Dear Mr. Rutter,
Do you have contact information for Peter Rostal or Paul Schaefer? Two faculty members at the University of Utah are interested in the Beatles Concerto. Thanks.
Dear Mr.Rutter,
I’m your biggest fan and purchase almost all cds of yours. One of your work – “the music is always there with you” is my favourite of all time, but pity that it is never included in any of your cd which is already published. Therefore would you consider conduct it and put it in one of your to-be-published cd? I’ll be most thrilling by the time. So much look forward to hearing from you!
I am having trouble finding a solo version of “A Gaelic Blessing”. Can you help me find this or a choral version that will accomodate a solo?
Thanks,
Dave
Dear John Rutter
Would you like to write a arrangement/composition of “Maria durch ein Dornwald ging” (Blest Mary wanders through the thorn) for SATB and Piano/Organ for our annual christmas concert 2012, perhaps in style of your beautiful “New Year” or “Ave Maria”? O corse I would pay this composition. We would be very happy for it, because we often sing your music in our services.
Thanks for an answer.
With best greetings,
Andreas Gut, Master of choir
Dear Mr. Rutter,
my name is Rômulo Tadeu Monteiro. I`m from Brazil and a member of Messianic church choir. We always perform wonderful songs here in Brazil and. We really want to sing one of your songs here in Brazil but we will need your authorization to sing it. Please let us know an e-mail or fax of yours, in order to send our official letter. Your musics are marvelous and wonderful! We would be very happy and blessed, if you some day you come in Brasilia/ Brazil , and you could come to visit our choir and we will prepare one of your songs to sing for you.
Waiting your kind reply.
Best wishes Rômulo
Mr. Rutter. Just wondering if you are planning any United States choral workshops open to all singers–a la the Berkshire Choral Festival where you guest conducted in 1997 and 2000–in the next few years? As a long-time tenor with the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, I have sung many of your compositions and arrangements over the years, and it would surely be a highlight of my life to sing under your baton in a choral festival or workshop. I am seriously considering traveling to Scarborough for “John Rutter Singing Day” on 22 September, but a longer workshop in the US would certainly be more practical. I would appreciate knowing if there are any such opportunities on your upcoming schedule.
I would like to know what the ideas are behind Suite Antique. I am playing the work for my Flute Diploma and just LOVE it. Besides the factual information I will include on the programme notes, I really wanted to find out what the inspiration was, how the idea broke down into the 6 sections and how can I master the fast Jazz section which is just wonderful. Thanks
RE: John Rutter’s “My Soul Doth magnify the Lord”, (Not the extended work Magnificat), which is found in the Hinshaw Catalog in the USA…. can you tell me where I might purchase a recording of this piece? I cannot find any such thing on the internet. I am always directed to the Magnificat, multimovement choral orchestra work, rather than the Mag of his Mag and Nunc, dedicated to Stanford.
Thanks
Hi John/John’s assistant,
I recently performed the UK schools premiere of John’s Suite lyrique for harp at the Sheldonian theatre Oxford, and I was wandering if, as there are currently no videos/recordings of it, it would be ok for me to upload it to youtube? I didn’t want to do it without asking as it would be the first recording of the piece on the internet.
Thanks,
Anna
I am about to present your splendid Gloria. We are doing the version for organ, brass and percussion. Someone has said that there is a version that includes harp. Is this true? We are performing Chichester Psalms on the same program , so I will have a harp. If so, how can I get the harp part, and is it compatible with the version we are performing? Thanks.
John,
Do you have any suggestions for setting a three manual Wicks organ to accompany a Gaelic Blessing? The guitar may or may not be incorporated.
Thank you,
Kerry
Dear Mr. Rutter,
my name is Gabriela Dassler. I`m from Germany and a member of our prostestant-lutheran church choir. We will perform together with an other church choir your “Magnificat”, in December 2012 in the small town Oelsnitz/Vogtland, located in the German state Saxonia. It is the first performance in East-Germany. By the way, we have the biggest organ with 4250 pipes, in our area. Your music is so incredible and wonderful! We would be very delighted, if you are some day in Germany, and you could come to visit our choir.
We would like, that a lot of people will come to our concert and listen to your beautiful music. We want to make publicity, thats why we need a picture from you for our newspaper article. Please, could you send us a picture of you, or give us the permission to use a photo of you. We would be very grateful for an affirmative reply. We are looking forward to meet you in Oelsnitz, or maybe in England one day.
Best wishes Gabriela
Dear John,
I am a member of a barbershop choir and I believe that your “Gaelic Blessing” would sound absolutely beautiful in our 4 part male harmony. I love to listen to this music and I keep imagining us singing this piece just as we have learned to sing “You Raise Me Up”. Would you have a suitable musical arangements that we could adapt.
Kindest regards
David
The piece in it’s SATB arrangement might work transposed down a little. There are no specific arrangements by John for male barbershop.
Sorry, Matthew (John’s assistant)
Dear John,
On behalf of a lady friend, who is the Principal of a Liverpool Drama studio, I would like to ask you whether your recording of the Beatles Concerto on Distant Land features the piano duo Rostal and Shaefer? If not, are there any other CD versions of the Concerto on which they do perform. The Principal was very much taken with the performances of Rostal and Shaefer.
Yours, John Mutch
Dear John,
The performance on Distant Land of the Beatles Concerto is indeed played by the duo Rostal and Shaefer; it is the only recording of the work.
Yours,
Matthew, John’s assistant
Dear Sirs, I have been trying desperately, for some time, to obtain a copy of All things bright and beautiful with guitar chords noted. I have only been taught to play organ using left hand guitar chords but this is such a lovely piece, and I would dearly love to be able to play it, especially at our church.
Many thanks for any help or guidance you can offer me.
Dear Tony. I don’t believe that the score published by OUP has guitar chords notated – and that is the only published edition of the piece. If there are scores for guitar then we are not aware of them.
Sorry, Matthew
Hi Matthew, it took a bit of time, but I have managed to work out most of it, thanks for your reply anyway. Tony
My mother would like the Beatles Concerto. I can not find a cd with all three movements. Can you help?
Dear Christie,
It is available on Distant Land – tracks 12-14 are the Beatles Concerto tracks. You can buy it from:
Amazon – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Distant-Land-Royal-Philharmonic-Orchestra/dp/B0000D9YAE/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1331733922&sr=1-2
iTunes – http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/john-rutter-distant-land-orchestral/id313308619
Best,
Matthew
Dear John
As a child I grew up next door to someone you went to college with. Margaret Howe-Homerton College (I don’t know her maiden name.) -a musical friend -she palys the piano and I think sings.
Since then I have also sung my heart out wwherever I have worked -Africa, Asia , Europe and now US at the UN. Your carols and Magnificat stun me and I have sung many. I was hoping to see you in NY this year and am trying to find out where you are conducting…
Dear Mr. Rutter,
This past week I heard for the first time your recording of Handel’s Messiah. I was moved to tears. As familiar as the music is, it had a life I could never have imagined. The Hallelujah Chorus was not a warhorse, it was a sublime, spiritual awakening. I have never heard anything quite like it. By the time Worthy Is the Lamb and The Amens were done I was simply overcome. So I want to thank you for your skill in interpreting Handel’s music. Handel must be delighted. I suspect he never heard such a fine interpretation done so well. By the way I sang under your direction in 1997 at the Berkshire school in Massachusetts. It was a great week. But the Handel……..
Cliff Beck
Hello
The choir in our small country town cathedral sang the incredibly beautiful “Look at the World” at a choral evensong recently. I videoed it and put it on Youtube but I’m now wondering if it was illegal to do so. Can you advise please? We are making absolutely no monetary gain from the video – nor will we!
Thank you
William Holmes
Hello John. Our choir Balsham Singers are performing the Requiem on Sat 19th May at 7.30 in Holy Trinity Church Balsham. We persuaded our Musical Director to do it as he wasn’t a fan previously but now he loves it describing part of it as “Cleo Lane does smoky jazz club”. As it’s local to you we would love it if you could come.
Dear Mr Rutter,
Please could you advise (by way of e-mail) how an organisation otains your services for a Come and Sing.
Many thanks tom.
Dear Tom,
If you send an email to info@collegium.co.uk, we’ll forward it on to him.
Best,
Matthew
I just wanted to say thanks for all the beautiful music. I listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir each Sunday and many of their songs were written by John Rutter. Th spiritual quality of the songs is great. Mr. Rutter is truly using his marvelous gift
Hi John, I have loved singing your music for many years both at school choir during my teenage years and at my church choir. I am now Head of Music at a small secondary school and we now find ourselves without a pianist so it’s rather a headache to try and perform your works. I wondered if you had any backing track CDs available? The orchestral accompaniments heard on many of the recordings are especially beautiful. As we are only a small choir (SSA) are there any backing tracks for different arrangements of the works?
Thanks
Dear Helen,
Thanks for your message. We don’t sell any backing track CD of John’s work, and unfortunately I’ve never seen any. Some of the arrangements might work unaccompanied.
Sorry not to be able help more.
Matthew
I was also hoping that you might have backing tracks for groups with no musicians or for venues that don’t have a piano etc. Is it something that could be considered? The accompaniments are so beautiful it seems a shame not to be able to use them.
Liz Dawes
Dear Liz,
Unfortunately, the way that the CDs are recorded means that it isn’t possible to release the accompaniment without the choir. We will consider this for the next release.
Thanks,
Matthew
Dear John Rutter,
I am writing to convey my gratitude and admiration for your generous contributions to the world of music. Your work is creative and uplifting. I believe your listeners, and surely your Cambridge Singers, are better people by exposure to your sacred music.
During my college years at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, USA, I sang in various choirs, including the Men’s Chorus led by Mack Wilberg. We sang a few of your compositions. Your recordings have been a staple in my family’s home for twenty years.
Anyone who writes with the adoration of Christ, as you do, must be familiar with, and close to His Spirit. May you continue the good work of bettering this world, and be blessed in your efforts, is my hope.
Kelly Prestwich
Does John Rutter have a choral piece, How Shall I Keep from Singing? We’re trying to track it down, with no success.
Dear John, Our ladies’ choir would dearly love to sing What Sweeter Music. Have you by any chance arranged it for upper voices? Or would you consider arranging it for SSA or SSAA?
Many thanks and Happy New Year, Vivien
Dear Mr. Rutter
We are a group of people singing together in a choir in Switzerland and are presently rehearsing your wonderfull Magnificat. We willl be in Cambridge from May 17 to 21and would very much appreciate, if we could have the chance to get in personal contact with you. Could thois be possible?
Kind regards
Hans Peter Murbach
Hi,
Our High School Chamber Orchestra is playing Mr. Rutter’s Suite for Strings, and we were wondering if he could ever come listen to us. I e-mailed the e-mail you have posted, and I was just curious if this would be at all possible (it would be so cool!).
Thanks,
Alex
Mr. Rutter, I was the tenor (Bruce Campbell) that sang in Princeton (Westminster) with you and sang the B minor Mass. I was in the chorus and had a wonderful time. My wife and I are traveling to England on August 1-5 and will be in Norfolk which is close to Cambridge. I conduct a college choir in NY State and would love to visit with you. We both have younger children even though we are both in our 60′s. We have much in common and had such a great time visiting with you in Princeton. Will you be in that area in August?
Hi Mr. Rutter!
I am a graduate conducting student at Florida State University studying with Dr. Andre Thomas. I am studying your Gloria. I love it! Everything about it is so exciting! I will be writing my final paper on it. Any inside information you can give me about your influences, motivation, inspiration etc would be highly appreciated! I am so excited to hear your thoughts and to be conversing with a world-renowned composer! Thanks!
I am trying to find contact details for John Rutter regarding a possible commission. Any help would be gratefully received.
Dear Paul. Please send any email enquiries to info@collegium.co.uk, and we will pass them on to John. Thanks, Matthew
Your setting of the Te Deum ends with a hymn-like setting of “Vouchsafe, O Lord” with a very comfortable range and an indelible melody and text which is repeated. Is it permissible, when performing this work, to ask the congregation to stand and sing with the choir and orchestra at that point? (I’m also curious to know if that was ever considered as an option when it was composed. It seems likely.)
Just wanted to say a thank you to John Rutter! Yesterday I attended a wonderful Singing Day at Derby Cathedral : he was directing with his usual enthusiasm and brilliance . I have been to several similar days over the years and he just gets better!
Mr. Rutter,
Is the sheet music for your Beatles Concerto available? My wife (in Florida) and her best friend (in North Carolina) would like to work-up and play the two piano concerto. Both ladies, while in their 60′s are quite capable of the work, and they have ties to local college orchestra’s that could provide the accompaniment. Thank you. Gary White – St. Pete, Fl
Dear Mr White. Unfortunately it’s not available in print – the right to perform the work lies with the original performers, and not John. Sorry!
Our community choir love to sing John’s Candlelight Carol but regret that it really only has relevance for our Christmas performances.
I have been asked to produce a set of lyrics that would give the piece a wider usage, using the mother-baby theme but without reference to the Christmas story,
We love to sing it in rehearsals but wonder whether John might be able to view the lyrics and give his permission to use them. I must stress that we have already purchased individual copies of the original to cover copyright laws.
Is there some way that we could get the lyrics to him?
David. You can send scans of the score to John at info@collegium.co.uk, or paper parts by post to Collegium Records, PO BOX 172, Whittlesford, Cambridge, CB22 4QZ.
Many thanks,
Matthew
Our church choir has sung “For the Beauty of the Earth” and loved it. We have already purchased enough copies of the sheet music from OUP. This year marks our church’s 20th anniversary and to celebrate the occasion, we have written Chinese lyrics on the melody. Do we need copyright permission to give out prints of the Chinese song with the numbered musical notation of the melody?
Halle, 16th august 2011.
Dear Mister Rutter,
October 22th, my choral sings for the youth of six communities of Halle, Belgium. A Confirmation Celebration where youth of twelve years old will say yes to God with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Halle is a place of pilgrimage in honor of Maria.
During the reflection after Communion I want to sing with my choral a hymn for our Lady.
Something new and fresh.
I followed course direction, the teacher told us to study your music works, so I found your song ‘Christmas Lullaby’. The chorus sounds so soft and beautiful,
I thought, if I use dutch words onder the notes of the chorus I have a sweet hymn to sing in the church.
This might tempt the young people in my choir. The members of my choir are seven tot seventythree years old. We are fourty, when everyone is present.
We are singing an Eucharistic Celebration, it is certainly not the intention to use the song commercially.
With your permission, I’d love to use this song.
I will be pleased to sing your ‘Christmas Lullaby’ on Christmas Eve, so I’d like to order twenty sheet music and fourty print licenses, because not everyone of my choir can read music notes. Is it possible?
May I give you the translation of the text in dutch that I’ve written under your music notes of the chorus.
Ave Maria, Ave Maria, wij willen even met jou samen zijn
we want to be with you for a moment
Ave Maria, Ave Maria, voed ons met tederheid, Moeder van God
feed us with tenderness, Mother of God
Ave Maria, jouw warme glimlach verwarmt steeds ons hart
your sweet smile always warms our heart
Ave Maria, Ave Maria, ons Lieve Vrouwke en moeder van God.
our sweet Lady and mother of God
Noe noe…
Ave Maria, Ave Maria, laat ons nog even heel dicht bij jou zijn.
let us be for a moment very close to you.
Deep in my heart I hope you will give me your permission to sing this short track.
Yours faithfully,
Fientje Deceuninck
I am now approaching 70 years of age and I feel I would like to thank John Rutter for the pleasure he has given me through the years with his glorious music and unique arrangements of familiar hymns and carols.
Well done – you have left a legacy.
Dear Sir
Do you have a simpler version of ‘A Gaelic Blessing’ please.
I am an amateur organist and this is required for a wedding soon- it will be sung by a four part choir. I’m finding it extremely hard to play.
Thank you.
Dear Barrie. There is a piano version of the Gaelic Blessing which has a simpler texture, and some notes could be taken by the pedals to help. It’s published by the RSCM, and has a catalgoue number of A501. There’s even a preview online to get a feel of the texture: http://fds.oup.com/www.oup.com/pdf/music/solo_songs_sacred_high_rutter_gaelic_blessing.pdf. Hope that is of help.
Dear John
Have you published This is the Day Which the Lord Hath Made? Our choir director and I both thought it was beautiful. I have tried to make inquiries from several music stores, but no one seems to be able to help me. I thought perhaps you hadn’t released it yet. If you have, I would appreciate knowing how we can purchase it.
Thank you
Betsy Wyffels
Dear Betsy,
John plans to release the anthem ‘This is the Day’ in print in the autumn. News of release will be posted here, and on the Oxford University Press Website. Keep checking back.
Dear Mr. Rutter,
I am a harpist and currently working on your Antique Suite for flute and piano. In working out my pedals to adapt the piano part to the harp, I came across a small obstacle. When I took the question to my mentor, she suggested I contact you for clarification. I am curious about a dissonance at the very end of the Rondeau. In measure 126 and again in measure 128 there may have been a courtesy accidental left out on beat 4 in the left hand. Did you really intend to keep the C Sharp from beat one against the C natural in the melody? In previous statements of this theme you used a moving line in the left hand which would indicate that the C sharp on beat one would move to a C natural when stated on beat four.
Please advise :->
Thank you
Best Wishes
Michelle Gwynne
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for you message. Bars 126 & 128 are the same musical cell; both chords in the left hand should have a C sharp. The right hand has a C natural, as marked by the cautionary accidental.
Hope you enjoy playing the piece.
Please can you tell me when the score for the psalm that was written for the royal wedding.
I am hoping to use this for an essay as an exam equivalent for my open university course. If it isnt going to be able to be available for sometime i may have to rethink.
Tricia
I’m trying to contact Mr. Rutter or his management about future engagements but cannot find contact information anywhere! Any guidance would be helpful! Thank you.
Hello KL,
You can contact John via Collegium Records by email – info@collegium.co.uk.
Thanks.
Dear Mr. Rutter,
Our 100+ voice Trinity United Methodist Chancel Choir performed your “Requiem” in worship and at an afternoon community concert under the direction of Judith Mitchell in Denver on April 10, 2011. We wanted to inform you that one of our choir members created a painting to depict each of the 7 movements, and we had each painting unveiled as we began singing the corresponding movement. It was a moving way to present your music in both an aural and visual way to our listeners. Thank you for your beautiful, soulful and accessible music.
I am trying to find more about Edward T Chapman to whom John Rutter dedicated “The Lord bless you and keep you” in memoriam. Any information would be appreciated.
I had never listened to any of john rutter’s music before the royal wedding today. However, I was blown away by the beauty, majesty, love, joy, strength and compassion conveyed by his piece written specially for William and Kate.
I am not a Christian, although spiritual and I believe we must all do our best on this earth and be true to ourselves. This music touched me in a way I did not expect and both my husband and myself found ourselves crying.
This piece seemed to sum up humanity, love (with the inherent sadness and knowledge it will end in this life at some point).
I will now be searching for his other compositions to listen and download. What an amazing man. If I were him I would be so proud and happy. Being creative, in whatever form, is what life is about to me.
There is too much destruction because it is so much easier than creativity. Both make one feel powerful but creativity is what counts, is why humanity has excelled and still exists today with such a wealth of knowledge.
I salute you, John Rutter. I have no doubt you have touched billions of people’s souls today. This is an amazing achievement and I just wanted to express my gratitude for giving me so much pleasure and inspiration.
Thank you so much.
Trudie Wingfield x
We are a community chorus in New York State, USA that will be performing July 4th weekend at the National Cathedral in Washington and the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. We are wondering if John Rutter might consider coming to our city in the future to do an “All John Rutter” concert with orchestra? I would like to chat with someone who could give me information about this.
Thank you!!!! We love John Rutter’s music!
Is the “Beatles Concerto” for 2 pianos and orchestra currently published? Oxford Univ. Press has no record of it, and I can’t find it listed except in recordings. I would like to find a score. Thanks!
Hi Theresa. Unfortunately the Beatles Concerto is not available – it was never published. The work was a commission and the performance rights remain with the performers who commissioned it. Sorry.
Is there a chance that the concerto will ever be published? I mean, I can’t imagine the commissioners will hold the rights forever.
Dear Dave,
As you can imagine, any piece containing music by another composer presents significant licensing issues. The issues are magnified when the Beatles music is involved. Further to this, the commissioners also retain the rights to the work. One day it might be published, but at present it is unlikely.
Sorry not to be able to help further,
Yours,
Matthew
John’s assistant
Dear Mr. Rutter,
I translated the text of “A Clare Benediction” into German. Could you please tell me, what the meaning of “Clare” is? I couldn´t find it anywhere in the dictionary.
Thanks a lot and best regards
Birgit from Munich
“Clare” refers to the College in Cambridge where John was a student, and later Director of Music (1975 to 1979), and therefore does not require translation.
Dear John Rutter,
I am composing my own piano music, and it would be great in the future to send you a CD. I have listened to your music compositions and they’re brilliant.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Theodora.
Hi John, Please can you tell me if I can obtain a 3 pt SSA arrangement of ‘What Sweeter Music’ I heard the Chorboys do it and the harmonies are terrific with the beautiful tune. Thankyou in anticipation iof your reply. Thank you too for your beautiful music lots of which I have used over the years with various choirs. You are an inspiration and a practical musician who understands amateur choirs and gets the best from them!
Carolyn
Please, is there an SSA version (sheet music) available for ‘What sweeter music’? I heard the Chjoirboys do it and wondered if the arrangement was commercially available ?
Thank you
Hello Carolyn. Thank you for yor message. John wrote that arrangement for the Choirboys specifically for that recording, and it wasn’t published. At present there are no plans to do so. Yours, Matthew
Hi Anne -
Yes, sorry, “The Three Ravens” is arranged by Edward T Chapman.
The Website is “Amazing”.
John Rutter to me, Is the best Composer of our time.
And writes the most “Beautiful Arrangements”in the world..
I am searching for the orchestral sheet music for Suite Antique. Can you suggest as to how I might access it for an upcoming performance?
Thank you.
It looks great! Congratulations, John.
so glad to see the website and hear this glorious singing. The Cape Fear Chorale, Wilmington, NC, USA, will be presenting A John Rutter Festival of Carols in Wilmington, NC, Grace UMC, 401 Grace St., Nov. 21, 4 p.m. All are invited.