The Choir of Clare College

Clare College, founded in 1326, is the second oldest of the colleges of Cambridge University. Situated on the banks of the River Cam in the heart of Cambridge with its main buildings dating from the seventeenth century, Clare is a flourishing community of some 75 fellows, 400 undergraduates, and 130 graduate students. Music plays an important role in the life of the college. In 1971, the hitherto all-male chapel choir was re-establised as a mixed-voice group of some 24 voices, since when it has gained an international reputation as one of the leading choral groups in Britain. The choir is conducted by the Director of Music, who is a Fellow of the college, assisted by two undergraduate organ scholars. It exists primarily to sing regular choral services in the college chapel, but in addition gives frequent concerts, both in Britain and abroad. Radio and television broadcasts and recordings form a regular part of the choir's increasingly busy schedule.

Timothy Brown, Director of Music at Clare College, Cambridge, succeeded John Rutter as director of Clare College Choir in 1979. With the choir he has made many recordings and broadcasts, and undertaken numerous overseas tours. He also directs Cambridge University Chamber Choir and the London-based professional chamber choir English Voices. Described recently in a leading newspaper as `one of Britain's most effective choir conductors and a prime custodian of the tradition that makes Oxbridge chapels famous from Seattle to St Petersburg,' he undertakes many freelance conducting engagements and is a popular tutor at international singing courses. He has edited a number of choral volumes for Faber Music and is a contributing editor to the complete edition of music by William Walton, published by Oxford University Press.

Discography

Sweelinck - Cantiones Sacrae

Famous for his keyboard works Sweelinck was also a skilled composer for voices as well, and composed over 250 works for voice (chansons, madrigals, motets and Psalms). Some of Sweelinck's innovations were of profound musical importance, including the fugue—he was the first to write an organ fugue which began simply, with one subject, successively adding texture and complexity until a final climax and resolution, an idea which was perfected at the end of the Baroque era by Bach. This is a world première recording of the complete Latin Motets, including the Christmas motet Hodie Christus natus est.

John Rutter - Requiem

Requiem Aeternam Out Of The Deep Pie Jesu Sanctus Agnus Dei The Lord Is My Shepard Lux aeterna Advent Anthem Anthem Musicca Dei Donum Two Blessings

Rutter's Requiem, from 1985, is wildly popular among modern choirs, audiences, and record shoppers. It is offered here in the world premiere recording of its chamber version, making what is considered a concert piece more suitable for liturgical purposes or intimate venues. This, along with many of his other works, has a direct, uncluttered, almost folksy air to it, while hardly ever lapsing into banality. Just when you begin to think, "Ah, I've heard this kind of stuff before", up Rutter comes with some ingenious device or harmonic twist that grabs even the most jaded ear. And he knows how to hold such a comparatively larger-scale composition together, too. This is one of Rutter's finest and most convincing works. It consoles, implores, worships, affirms, reassures, and mystifies-everything that a good requiem is supposed to do. Instrumental accompaniment (single flute, oboe, cello, harp, and timpani, plus percussion) is spare, but expert and tasteful. Rutter has a long and fruitful history with the Clare College Choir, having led them himself in quite a few outstanding recordings. They perform here with their usual depth, sensitivity, technical finesse, and bright, clear sound.

John Rutter - Mass of the Children

Mass of the Children Shadows Shadows

Bringing together the voices of adults and children, Rutter's Mass of the Children is scored for mixed choir, soprano and baritone soloists, orchestra, and the irresistible charm of a children's choir. Rutter's skilful writing for these forces together with his sensitive interweaving of both the Latin Mass texts and Thomas Ken's renowned morning and evening hymns for Winchester College, gives the whole work the framework of a complete day, from waking to sleeping. This has resulted in one of his finest and most moving works to date.

Illumina

Lumen Bring us, o Lord God Ehtoohymni (Evening Hymn) Nyinye otpushchayeshi O Lux beata Trinitas O coruscans lux stellarum O nata lux Te lucis ante terminum Hymn to the Creator of Light Hail, gladdening Light Christe, qui lux es et dies Nunc dimittis Christe, qui lux es et dies Nunc dimittis Svyetye tikhii (Hail, Gladdening Light) Lucis Creator optime Lux aeterna

The Clare College Choir is a mixed choir of approximately two dozen voices, based at Cambridge, England. Directed by Timothy Brown, who succeeded John Rutter, the scope of the works on this recording comprise over four centuries, from Tallis and Byrd, to that of the Transylvanian-born Gyorgy Ligeti ("Lux Aeterna," 1966). The common element is that of light ­ hence, "Illumina" ­ and therefore, each composition directly or indirectly reflects this theme. Several settings of "Hail, Gladdening Light," including that of Charles Wood (1912), part of that great post-Edwardian resurgence of English classical music, are represented, as is Holst, a Wood contemporary, the Romantic Russian Tschaikovsky, and his countryman Rachmaninov. No matter the era of the work, the Choir has a transparent sound, emphasizing controlled dynamics, precise phrasing, and timing that is never impatient or harried.

6458 CD $15.98

Bach Family Motets

Lieber Herr Gott (Johann Christoph Bach) Unser Leben ist ein Schatten (Johann Bach) Herr, du lassest mich erfahren (Johann Michael Bach) Nun hab'ich uberwunden (Johann Michael Bach) Es ist nun aus (Johann Christoph Bach) Der Gerechte, ob er gleich (Johann Christoph Bach) Ich lasse dich nicht (Johann Christoph Bach) Furchte dich nicht (Johann Christoph Bach) Sei lieber Tag willkommen (Johann Michael Bach) Unsere Trubsal (Johann Luwig Bach) Das ist meine Freude (Johann Luwig Bach)

The Bach family was one of hardworking provincial craftsmen, in which the family craft was passed (apparently along with the first name Johann) from one generation to the next—in this case, the craft was music. In 17th century Thuringia, a region of Central Germany and hotbed of Lutheranism, they were many careers in music to choose from, a town, church or court musician, or an instrument maker, and the Bachs were active in all those fields. Johann Sebastian, recognizing the gift of his genealogy, compiled his own family history in 1735 and possessed an archive of works by his forbears, with some pieces copied out in his own hand. England's excellent mixed-voice Clare College Chapel Choir, formed in 1971, performs these 11 rarely-heard gems perfectly: Johann Christoph Bach's (1642-1703) "Lieber Herr Gott," "Es ist nun aus," "Der Gerechte, ob er gleich," "Ich lasse dich nicht" and "Furchte dich nicht;" Johann Bach's (1604-1673) "Unser Leben ist ein Schatten," Johann Michael Bach's (1648-1694) "Herr, du lassest mich erfahren" and "Sie lieber Tag willkommen;" and Johann Ludwig Bach's (1677-1731) "Unsere Trubsal." Listening to this wonderful stuff, it's clear that Johann Sebastian's heritage was a highly appreciated, major factor in his own genius.

Blessed Spirit: Music Of The Souls' Journey

Requiem Aeternam Kontakion of the Departed Selig Sind Die Toten Blessed Are They Funeral Ikos Domine Jesu Christe O Quam Gloriosum Psalm 121 and Requiem Aeternam The Evening-Watch Steal Away There is An Old Belief O Quanta Qualia Justorum Animae Deep River In Paradisum O Felix Anima Audivi Vocem De Caelo Faire is the Heaven

Sub-titled "Music Of The Soul’s Journey," this second recording by the Clare College Choir uses heaven as its theme. With three sections, described in the foreword by John Rutter (who also produced), as "mourning and remembrance," "the departed soul’s destination" and "heaven itself," the sound of this mixed ensemble is ever graceful, though solid. Director Timothy Brown shows versatility in his choice of arrangements, some of which are for men only, some for women, and some for mixed (and variations thereof). For example, the four-part SATB arrangement of Tschaikovsky’s "Blessed Are They" in contrast to the double choir SATB "Faire Is The Heaven" by William Harris, of the SSAA "Audivi Vocem De Caelo" by John Sheppard versus "Domine Jesu Christe," Gregorian Chant for men’s voices. Recorded at the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral, which adds its own pleasing natural resonance, "Blessed Spirit" is luxuriously tranquil.

6532 CD $15.98

Purcell Choral Works

Te Deum l Jubilate Deo My Beloved Spake O God, Thou Art My God Lord, How Long Wilt Thou Be Angry Remember Not, Lord Our Offences Here My Prayer Oh Lord Thou Knowest Lord Funeral March Man That Is Born Of Women In The MIdst Of Life Canzona

The choral works of Henry Purcell (1659 -95) are sung here with near perfection under the direction of Timothy Brown.

Carols From Clare

Shepherd's Pipe Carol Infant holy, infant lowly Angel Tidings Quelle est cette odeur agreable Once in Royal David's City Il est ne le divin enfant I saw three ships In dulci jubilo Nativity Carol Quem pastores laudavere Rocking The Twelve Days of Christmas Here we come a-wassailing The Coming of our King O come, O come, Immanuel The Infant King Sheperds'Noel Noel nouvelet O little town of Bethlehem Gabriel's Message Sans Day Carol Stille Nacht Flemish Carol Past three a clock

When you have one of England's premiere choirs being directed by one of England's foremost director while singing some of the finest traditional carols then you most certainly have yourself a wonderful holiday recording. Noted baritone Simon Vaughn is featured and many of the songs are accompanied by the Clare College Orchestra.

Celebration of the Spirit

Chichester Psalms Psalm 108, v. 2; Psalm 100 Psalm 2, vv. 1-4; Psalm 23, vv. 1-6 Psalm 131; Psalm 133, v. 1 Gloria Gloria in Excelesis Deo Domine Deus, Rex caelestis Quoniam tu solus sanctus Festival Te Deum Rejoice in the Lamb Negro Spirituals: bSteal away Nobody knows Go down Moses By and By Deep River

This highly regarded chorus is considered to be one of the top university choirs in England and one can both see and hear why on this well-produced DVD. Filmed in the famous Clare Chapel, the fine performances by the choir makes this video a real treat. Features John Rutter's "Gloria", Britten's "Festival dec deum" and "Rejoice in the Lamb:, Bernstein's "Chichester Palms" with five negro spirituals by Sir Michael Tippet. With 68 tracks and a 2.45 hours running time this DVD is also well priced.

Christmas Carols

O come, O come Emmanuel King Jesus hath a Garden The Holly and the Ivy Once in Royal David's city Stille Nacht Personet Hodie In Dulci Jubilo While Shepards Watched their Flocks by Night O come, all ye Faithfull Coventry Carol God rest you Merry, Gentlemen Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Enjoy this top-notch choir and get in the Christmas mood by both watching and listening to some wonderful singing directed by Timothy Brown. Filmed at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England

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