Over the last 10 years I've looked at a large number of pieces for S-A-Men. Many are re-arrangements of SATB pieces, designed to suit better those choirs with a small number of tenors and basses. Sadly, the impression that there's something missing is almost unavoidable in so many cases. Not so, I'm happy to say, with John Rutter: Carols for SA & Men. I suspect the success of this collection with its new vocal scoring has something to do with the original structure of the carols, but it's also certainly due to the fact that Rutter has always been a superb craftsman . . . Old favourites rub shoulders with less familiar items, the layout on the page is always clear, and the nine items represent excellent value. * Jeremy Jackman, Choir & Organ, September 2019 *
John Rutter has rescored nine of his carols, not flexibly but in three parts, soprano, alto and 'unison men' with keyboard accompaniment that again is specified either for organ or for piano a with two exceptions: Mary's Lullaby for piano or organ, and Angels' Carol for piano or harp. Other popular carols given this three-part treatment include Candlelight Carol, Mary's Lullaby, Star Carol and What sweeter music. I was particular struck by the less well-known opening item, All bells in paradise, where, despite two forte climaxes, the overall impression is of sweetly singing angel voices as well as the ringing of the bells, all effectively portrayed in the music. * Stephen Patterson, CMQ Sunday by Sunday, September 2018 *
Rutter is maximizing appeal and compositional output with these arrangements of some of his most popular SATB Christmas carols . . . Smaller choirs will welcome this sensitive accommodation, providing access to beloved Rutter Christmas carols to a wider audience. * Jason Overall, Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, November 2018 *
