Reviews for
GMCD 7238 Carl Rütti
Organists' Review August 2003
A disc of accessible
music by Carl Rütti, a Swiss composer who has studied in London, had a piece
performed at the Proms in 1999 and has absorbed much of what it meant to compose
choral music in 20th century Britain. None of the pieces presented here is
overly outlandish, but all have something worthwhile to say: there is influence
aplenty from a whole host of British composers from Holst onwards through
Britten to Leighton and Jackson, yet Rütti has his own voice that illuminates
his interesting choices of text.
The three carols give new life to familiar words, and like many of the other
works are relatively diatonic with some chromatic leanings and a melodic
interest that would add freshness to any carol concert. Elsewhere, St Peter & St
Paul is a quite substantial work (commissioned for the 1997 Norwich Festival)
that features some syncopated rhythms and dramatic climaxes; Salve Regina on the
other hand typifies the composer's more languid style and makes play with the
whole-tone scale, being remarkably reminiscent of some of Holst's Hymns from the
Rig Veda. The main piece featured, Sermon on the Mount, is a 7-movement work
lasting 30 minutes, setting Latin words from the familiar chapters of St Matthew
and St Luke: the music is lyrical and dramatic by turns, and
ends most effectively by combining different themes and styles in a final,
exuberant Amen. The composer's general approach is to create a dialogue between
(usually homophonic) choir and organ, the latter often
having brilliant figuration in the right hand as a kind of overarching tracery.
There is also a tendency for the music to modulate to a new key and then rest
awhile, as if exploring its new surroundings - a method derived I suspect from
the organist's natural improvisatory habit! This is somewhat noticeable in the
three programmatic organ pieces on the disc, which nevertheless exploit the
varied registration of the Norwich
instrument with some aplomb.
The mixed-voice adult Escorial Choir is almost entirely excellent, having a
sharply-defined no-wobble approach yet capable of producing a warm tone as
occasion demands. Only once, (in the especially demanding Quis ergo section of
Sermon on the Mount) is there a hint of tiredness and strain. Overwhelmingly the
performances here are very agreeable on the ear, and I have no doubt that
appreciators of choral music will want this recording.
Simon Mold
Choir & Organ November/December 02
Full of rhythm and harmonic invention,
Carl Rütti’s Three Carols have been recorded complete for the first time on this
inspired CD. There are also premičre recordings of various other motets and
carols, mostly written during the past six years and culminating in the dramatic
cantata, Sermon on the Mount, with its vivid retelling of the famous story. In
addition to the choral pieces, there are three elegant organ solos including a
movement from Carl Rütti’s suite based on a theme from the Luzern (Lucerne?)
Organ book. The Norwich-based choir Escorial are joined on this recording by the
composer, expressively playing the organ of Norwich Cathedral
NEW CLASSICS - JULY 02
Full of rhythm
and harmonic invention, Carl Rütti’s Three Carols have been recorded complete
for the first time on this inspired CD. There are also premičre recordings of
various other motets and carols, mostly written during the past six years and
culminating in the dramatic cantata, Sermon on the Mount, with its vivid
retelling of the famous story. In addition to the choral pieces, there are three
elegant organ solos including a movement from Carl Rütti’s suite based on a
theme from the Luzern (Lucerne?) Organ book. The Norwich-based choir Escorial
are joined on this recording by the composer, expressively playing the organ of
Norwich Cathedral
Page revised 28.07.03
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