Rutter - What Sweeter Music | The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge

The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge recorded in Trinity College Chapel
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Organ: Harrison Cole
What Sweeter Music by John Rutter, setting words by Robert Herrick.
Video production and editing:
David Hinitt
Adrian Peacock
Paul Nicholson
Photo of Great Court: Jehangir Cama
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[@JamieTimen]

Never forget Rutter! And all his Grace! 😍

[@markemanuele1929]

This is my absolute favorite of John Rutter's carols. The first time I heard it, I fell in love with it (Of all places, in a Volvo commercial 8^)...) And this is (In My Humble Opinion) the best recording of it.

[@liligibson8457]

What sweeter music can we bring Than a carol for to sing The birth of this our Heavenly King? Awake the voice, awake the string Dark and dull night, fly hence away And give the honor to this day That sees December turned to May That sees December turned to May Why does the chilling winter's mourn Smile, like a field beset with corn? Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn Thus, on the sudden? Come and see The 'cause, why things thus fragrant be It is He is born, whose quickening birth Gives life and luster, public mirth To Heaven, and the under-Earth We see him come, and know him ours Who with his sunshine and his showers Turns all the patient ground to flowers Turns all the patient ground to flowers The darling of the world is come And fit it is, we find a room To welcome him, to welcome him The nobler part of all the house here is the heart Which we will give him, and bequeath This holy and this ivy wreath To do him honour, who's our King And Lord of all this revelling What sweeter music can we bring Than a carol for to sing The birth of this our Heavenly King? Of this our Heavenly King, our King

[@tomfinland9572]

"Contemporary" Christian music doesn't hold a candle to this beautiful song. GORGEOUS

[@jenniferleber1456]

Yes, I agree.

[@nw4042]

....John Rutter...is currently alive in 2023... He wrote this piece in.....1987. It's more contemporary than most Contemporary Christian music.

[@pinkeysherbet7249]

@@nw4042thank you I was about to say the same thing lol 😂

[@judiklettenmeijer854]

Karl Jenkins?

[@w.hayesconner1317]

@@nw4042I think we all understand what he’s saying. “The sophomoric, pablamitous swill passed off as music from the inevitably blue backlit stages of America’s evangelical churches is NOT music compared to this”. Obviously not referring to eras in which things are written.

[@eugeniomorais7041]

I love anglican choirs. It's so heavenly, so amazing e touch deeply my soul. Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷.

[@Marunchak]

I'm not religious, in fact I'm an atheist, but Anglican sacred choral music is one facet of my English heritage that I absolutely adore. This sublime performance makes my eyes leak every time I hear it.

[@debraengland3827]

@@Marunchak It speaks to your soul. Even the one you don't believe you have. 🌟🌟

[@jochensatzinger3475]

There's Molly Noon, new Soprano of Voces8.

[@markgarao6898]

2:27 Amazing, I just realized!

[@richardhoover4471]

Singing or Listening, the music of John Rutter fills my soul with joy and peace!

[@trainsupporter9088]

Me too! Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@adude394]

Lovely performance of one of Mr. Rutter's most beautiful anthems.

[@HeavenlyLights]

There is nothing More Beautiful than the Human Voice singing acappella ♥️⭐️💞🕯️🌺🎄🥰

[@craigeverhart4755]

Another in Stephen Layton’s “No Excuses” transcendent recordings. Many times you might hear a piece of music and have to make excuses to yourself: “pretty good for those singers,” but such excuses are never needed for Stephen Layton’s group. It’s just all there, all the time. They do it with heart and inflection, with COVID distancing. The video production is nuanced and sensitive, also. I love seeing the singers!

[@HymnMakers]

I have completly fallen in love with all your voices ❤❤💖💖🥺🥺

[@lykeioschoolprojects9806]

its heavenly, the music, the melody, the harmonies, the modulations....and the level of performance has to be one of the finest in the world. Unreal!

[@laurietocci6259]

These voices singing this piece bring me great joy!

[@davidcooper1680]

What sweeter music can we bring Than a carol, for to sing The birth of this our heavenly King? Awake the voice! Awake the string! Dark and dull night, fly hence away, And give the honor to this day, That sees December turned to May. Why does the chilling winter's morn Smile, like a field beset with corn? Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn, Thus, on the sudden? Come and see The cause, why things thus fragrant be: 'Tis He is born, whose quickening birth Gives life and luster, public mirth, To heaven, and the under-earth. We see him come, and know him ours, Who, with his sunshine and his showers, Turns all the patient ground to flowers. The darling of the world is come, And fit it is, we find a room To welcome him. The nobler part Of all the house here, is the heart. Which we will give him; and bequeath This holly, and this ivy wreath, To do him honour, who's our King, And Lord of all this revelling. What sweeter music can we bring, Than a carol for to sing The birth of this our heavenly King?

[@classicaldeb]

Brilliant!

[@kevinhickey3515]

Just has that distinctive Rutter sound. Beautiful.....

[@gvweller]

Rutter is really, really good. 100 Carols for Choirs is one of the greatest treasures of Western Christendom - along with the Oxford Carol Book. Gott sei dank!

[@jenniferleber1456]

Totally agree with you. I feel absolutely glorious when singing or hearing any of his carols, anthems, or arrangements. Blissful!

[@trevororme4646]

Beautiful, simply beautiful. Thank you each and every one of you and have a Bless-ed Christmas.

[@mhlpmb]

This is a healing balm to my spirit.

[@eoins671]

Wonderful choir, one of the best recordings of this lovely piece I've come across.

[@doncardoza]

Beautiful

[@randolphstephenson]

Alas 'Stillness and Sweet Harmony'.Rutter and Lauredson! We are blessed ❤🙏

[@valeriechapman1612]

We all know John Rutter as he is well known as being called ‘Mr. Christmas 🎄 ‘ His music is not just performed for the Christmas period but extends throughout the year. His music is played at different times and is always well received. I love 💕 listening to all his compositions, some more than others but always in a relaxing 😎 setting. I think he has a real talent. I’ll continue to listen John, especially now.

[@ScottKnitter]

He wrote both my least-favorite carol (which I won't name) and, with poet Robert Herrick, my favorite (What Sweeter Music).

[@evelyn8467]

Lovely song..as a woman also singing in a choir, i really enjoy the parts when the men are singing alone..the woman are singing really beautiful too..

[@estherrosespade4884]

Unification of sound/tone-magical!

[@ThePooman666]

A stunning performance, covid or not this is a beautiful, beautiful rendition and trumps a lot performances past

[@edwardswilliamsj]

Lo que más me gusta éste vídeo es que el coro canta mirando al altar... Excelente!!!

[@nathanastruthers]

You guys and gals sounded amazing. That’s one of my most favorite choral arrangements and you nailed it. Absolutely beautiful!

[@rosemarywatkins4121]

This brings such peace and comfort.

[@catbird-dq7ri]

Wonderful job by this choir! Pure and sweet, never forced, beautiful.

[@susanelainesanner]

Yes, John Rutter with a sensitive conductor and organist and a fine singing ensemble. Lovely. I wonder why the first singer on the top left tier wasn't included in the camera lens. I hope she is included in future videos. Thank you, all, for sweet, sweet music. A viewer in Minnesota, U.S.

[@spakkakiwi1]

Simply beautiful. Both the music and the singing. Love all Rutter carols, but this one is particularly gorgeous

[@TommyH1975]

Fabulous! Love this piece! Sang it when I was in College

[@cedricpeachey8707]

Around this time each year, we would make our way to the Trinity College Alumni Carol Concert in London. In its absence this year, this performance is quite glorious compensation. Here's wishing the Choir a most harmonious Christmas and New Year.

[@jessielopez1065]

Thank you for this beautiful performance and lovely recording - sounds live and with little/no production effects. Talented young voices singing a dear Rutter Christmas carol. What sweeter music indeed!

[@SamoeDnoTut]

I listen to a lot, but only this kind of music heals the soul. Thank you!

[@Dracotokvideos]

I'm going to sing this for my Christmas choir concert! 😊

[@aliasreco]

They sing the notes and sing with their hearts. That's different...and a plus of course.

[@susanbarganier2282]

My favorite Christmas song! Thank you all!

[@sharonreichter2537]

Beautifully moving.

[@sylviatownsend5365]

Beautiful singing. Such a gentle Carol.

[@timothyj1966]

UGhhhhh melts your heart.

[@nw4042]

Just wanted to say that this is one of my favorite pieces of music, bar none, all time. You did it justice here.

[@joesoy9185]

This is a fantastic rendition! Congratulations to all concerned! I'm really pleased that you sang from memory.... it does make such a difference, both visually and musically. Years ago, I sang in a small ensemble led by Charles Farncombe, which performed all the Messiah choruses from memory at the Festival Hall. Another huge improvement of your videos this year is the approach to the camera coverage. We can actually see who you are! Here's hoping the static long shots are a thing of the past.

[@Kaikena]

marvelous.

[@bob15479]

this part is always jaw dropping 2:13

[@BibleStoriesandBeyond]

Very nice

[@petek3872]

Very sweet!

[@ryanworkbox]

Wonderful.

[@R_Jackson]

A lovely interpretation of this carol! There is something really significant about this music continuing throughout this time of separation.

[@massimosquizzato8801]

Super!!!!!!!!!!

[@carolynclark1724]

Beautiful and so peaceful!

[@goranklaren]

This heavenly beautiful. I wish you all a blessed Christmas and hopefully a better New Year!

[@nancyarchibald9095]

This is one of my favorites from John Rutter. The Lyrics touch my heart each time....even if only read without the music. Your setting is ethereal. Such beautiful sound. Thank you! Do you have any more Christmas carols to share with us? I toured Europe at age 17 with America's Youth in Concert back in the 1970's. I shall always remember singing in the various cathedrals and halls with their grand acoustics. Thanks again..

[@trainsupporter9088]

Wow - what a great opportunity for you! Treasured memories for a lifetime for you I am sure! I would love to go Europe and see some of the cathedrals. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@joan407]

The lyrics are taken from the great Christmas poem by 17th-century British poet Robert Herrick: "A Christmas Carol, Sung to the King in the Presence at White-Hall"

[@jenniferleber1456]

@@joan407 Yes, and combined with John Rutters amazing music is pure Heaven on Earth to sing or just hear. So lovely here!!

[@williamjueschke9960]

Beautiful, well done.

[@davidchamberlain5425]

John Rutter...🎵John Barry...🎵John Williams...🎵John Lennon...🎵Elton John...🎵..🎶🎶🎶🎶👍

[@roxanneperdue1288]

just sublime.

[@albertgerace4295]

Would enjoy following with the lyrics if they were shown. Thank you!

[@mfokajobe9191]

🌊 This is very beautiful.

[@w.hayesconner1317]

These young women are wonderful. I simply prefer the sound of the boys’ choir in this one…

[@jaylonsandersglo]

🥺

[@tevinjc9]

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@perrych2012]

Who knew Andy Burnham was a top chorister as well as Mayor of Manchester (1' 45")

[@user-is8sp9mz7k]

Tug sing heppy

[@jenniferbate9682]

Beautifully sung but diction could be better ❤