Rutter, John (Milford)

Rutter, Johlt (Milford) , distinguished English conductor and composer; b. London, Sept. 24, 1945. He was educated at Clare Coll., Cambridge (B.A., 1967; Mus.B., 1968; M.A., 1970), where he was later director of music (1975–79). Among his teachers was David Willcocks, with whom he co-edited several choral collections, including 3 in the Carols for Choirs series (Oxford, 1970–80). He also taught through the Open Univ. (1975–88). In 1981 he founded the Cambridge Singers, subsequently conducting them in an extensive repertoire. In 1990 he conducted their Carnegie Hall debut in N.Y. In 1984 he established Collegium Records, a label dedicated to their performances. He established his own publishing imprint, the Collegium Choral Series, in 1994. In 1995 he launched the Oxford Choral Classics series of anthologies. He was awarded a Lambeth Doctorate of music for services to church music in 1996. His compositions and arrangements are numerous and accessible, and feature an extensive catalog of choral works that are frequently performed in Britain and the U.S.

Works

The Falcon for Chorus and Orch. (1969); Fancies for Chorus and Chamber Orch. (1972); Partita for Orch. (1973); Gloria for Chorus, Brass Ensemble, Percussion, and Organ (1974; for Orch., 1988); Bang!, children’s opera (1975); Canticles of America for Chorus and Orch. (1976); Beatles’ Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orch. (1977); The Reluctant Dragon for Voices and Chamber Orch. (1978); Suite antique for Flute, Harpsichord, and Strings (1979); Reflections for Piano and Orch. (1979); The Piper of Hamelin, children’s opera (1980); The Wind in the Willows for Voices and Chamber Orch. (1981); Requiem for Soprano and Chorus (1985); Te Deum for Chorus and Various Accompaniments (1988); Magnificat for Soprano, Chorus, and Ensemble (1990); Psalmfest for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1993); Birthday Madrigals for Chorus, String Bass, and Piano (1995); Come down, O love divine for Double Chorus (1998).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire