John Rutter on the 'Requiem'. 4: Conception and performance

The fourth in a series of short films by John Rutter about the composition of his 'Requiem': the composer discusses preparations for a first performance in Sacramento, the intervention of illness, and the resulting double 'premières' in 1985: the first a performance of the partially complete chamber version of the work; the second featuring all seven movements in a larger version for symphony orchestra. Includes Rutter's recollections of working on the 'Lux Aeterna' movement the night before the first performance in Sacramento, and his reflections on reasons for the work's enduring popularity worldwide.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John Rutter
• Rutter
• Requiem
• Cambridge Singers
• Sacramento
• Sanctuary Choir
• Mel Olson
• Allen Pote
• choral singing
• choir
• composition
• Fauré
• death
• Rutter Requiem

[alger3041]

Mr. Rutter is being typically modest by stating that it is the text that is the basis of its great success, along with a need for a smaller requiem type piece that could be easily performed at a church service.

But you take that same text, and set it to music of a whole hog contemporary nature, and THEN see how far you will get. I will say that it is the music itself that communicates - write anything that a listener can relate to, based upon past expereince, and you will achieve a success.