Album review: John Rutter: A Song in Season

John Rutter: A Song in SeasonCollegium Records, £12.99****

WE ASSOCIATE so much of John Rutter's choral music with Christmas, but this release is not a Festive one, per se. Yes, there are a couple of carols – The King of Blis and Carol of the Magi – but more especially this is a catch-up compilation of general sacred works written over the past 15 years that appear to have a great affection for the composer himself. There's the Wells Jubilate, the Winchester Te Deum, and plenty of typically tuneful anthems wrapped up in sweet and succulent orchestrations played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and sung by Clare College Cambridge, under the direction of the composer, who recently turned 65.