While agreeing with the opinion that much of John Rutter's music lacks a "depth" of seriousness due to its infusion of popular and classical styles, I still cannot but be deeply moved by this movement from his Magnificat:



Sentimental, yes. But it provides so much warmth and comfort in these times of distress, uncertainty, change, regret, dejection, and sorrow.

The music expresses such a tender, pure, and sincere trust in God's love and mercy coming from a soul in anguish.

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Another selection well-suited to this season, "What Sweeter Music", is also filled with a wistful nostalgia, burdened with the weight of a complicated past, almost on the verge of being crushed under the weight of so many hidden sorrows and pains of heart, yet still looking forward with a glimmer of hope to the coming Christmas.


Rutter - What Sweeter Music

Rutter's music is not really to my taste but, undoubtedly, it's very appropriate to the season of Advent and Christmas. In fact, when I think about his music I think "Christmas music".

Another composer that is very closely associated in my memory to Christmas music is Charpentier.  Here is his Messe de Minuit, based on traditional French Christmas carols:



This rendition is from 1967. While it's not on par with the most recent period performances, it's magnificent!

Ah! How refreshing!

All the rustic exuberance of the French Baroque seems to be captured here. Some musicologists argue that the Noel genre was the final nail in the coffin for the French classical organ school, whose style had always run the risk of degenerating into frivolous banality and musical fluff. However, Charpentier has here composed a fitting musical tribute to the French noels, decorating them with the musical quality that they deserve. (That being said, I too am guilty of  playing these French noels with their stereotyped constructions and figures, endless variations and sixteenth note runs, etc at this time of year for my own enjoyment)

The sudden and dramatic change of character at the "Et Incarnatus Est" was breathtaking.

How touching - you can hear the tune "O Come Divine Messiah" around the 24 minute mark.

Such an innocent, joyful, and powerful work.


Merci beaucoup!

May I be forgiven for not liking John Rutter?  
 

Only if I can be forgiven for my abysmal musical taste in liking cheesy movie music like this.  

For the record I didn't even know about John Rutter until a few days ago when I went into a music teacher's office and the Et Misercordia from his Magnificat was playing. I listen to a few other works by him, but the two linked above are the ones I like so far.