Initially released in 1979, this album built on the success of the legendary Carols for Choirs volumes in establishing John Rutters name with the wider public, and it gave a strong hint that he was more than just a talented composer-arranger. As the many subsequent releases on the Collegium label have also shown, Rutter is a deeply sensitive and musical conductor, alive to the color of words, always allowing phrases to breathe naturally. The accomplished Clare College Choir features male and female voices, the latter providing a more rounded alternative to those world-famous neighbors in Cambridge. Included are many of Rutters own easy-listening carol arrangements (“King Jesus Hath a Garden” and “Wexford Carol,” for example), plus others by the likes of Vaughan Williams and David Willcocks, while “Donkey Carol” and “Marys Lullaby” are quintessential Rutter originals. Only a few numbers can be classed (statistically) as all-time Christmas faves–the likes of “The Holly and the Ivy” and “Ding Dong Merrily on High”–but this neednt deter anyone from snapping up what is the perfect album to accompany Christmas pud mixing (preferably by candlelight, imagining the twilight scene in Ely Cathedrals Lady Chapel, whose glorious acoustic graces the sound). –Andrew Green

5 Responses to “The Holly and the Ivy: Carols from Clare College”

1. Mark R. Raddatz says:

   January 18, 2009 at 12:00 am

   I love my Christmas at Clare CD. I had it in albumn form at one time, unable to play so the return of this music within the 12 days of Christmas was most welcomed! Thanks for getting to me and in great shape. I will probably order more this year in time for Christmas gifts!
   
   Sincerely,
   
   Mark Raddatz, Lancaster, OH
2. Sharon Newbury says:

   May 21, 2009 at 12:00 am

   This CD includes many favourite carols, sung by an excellent choir, however, I felt that the quality of the recording was poor. I was unable to bring out the lower male vocals, thus the upper voices dominated throughout, which was quite disappointing. The accoustic echo made the lyrics almost impossible to discern.