Rutter: Requiem

The highland audience was introduced to the music of Britain’s foremost contemporary composer of choral music when Rutter’s exuberant Latin American flavoured "Mass" was performed by Inverness Choral Society a couple of years ago. In scale and mood, his "Requiem" resembles that by Fauré with a nod to Back in its use of instrumental solos. Full of beautiful tunes and harmonies, the score, which includes a setting of the 23rd Psalm, treads a fine line between spirituality and sentiment and is radiantly sung by Stephen Layton’s 17-strong choir and guest soloist Rosa Mannion.
The fillers include Rutter's lovely setting of "A Gaelic Blessing" and two madrigals whose contemporary phrasing offers a hint to the identity of the dedicatee - jazz pianist George Shearing, and provides a pleasant secular contrast in an otherwise sacred programme.