On Wednesday 5 November, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returned to St Paul’s Cathedral with our Artist Laureate and internationally-celebrated composer Sir John Rutter to perform an expansive programme of his work in a special celebratory birthday concert. Joined by The Bach Choir and soloists Melanie Marshall and Jonathan Brown, the concert was ‘unmistakably the work of a master craftsman.’ (The Guardian)
All photos © Duncan Wood
The concert opened with the world premiere of Rutter’s I’ll Make Me A World, which set the words of The Creation by Harlem Renaissance poet and activist James Weldon Johnson within a bold choral work performed by The Bach Choir, baritone Jonathan Brown and mezzo soprano soloist Melanie Marshall. Commissioned by two generous benefactors, Nathan and Marilyn Hayward, the magnificence of St Paul’s Cathedral was the perfect setting for this ebullient new work.
‘The world premiere of Rutter’s I’ll Make Me a World showcased miraculous diction from The Bach Choir and the RPO’s flair for musical code-switching, as baritone Jonathan Brown and mezzo Melanie Marshall led the way through gentle references to African American spirituals, blues and gospel.’
Following the premiere of I’ll Make Me A World was Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No.5, a meditation on redemption, renewal and hope. Written over the course of the Second World War, this symphony marked a departure from the violent discord of Symphony No.4 and offers a serene, spiritually transcendent composition.
The concert concluded with Rutter’s rousing The Gift of Life. Written in 2015, The Gift of Life is a counterpoint to his earlier Requiem – an undeniable celebration of creation and life itself in all its majesty and beauty. Composed for double choir, the three sections paint three different worlds. The first mysterious and ancient, summoned in quasi-plainchant, spacious and mystical; the second a lively, sustained dialogue between the two choirs; the last a radiant resolution with a seventeenth-century German-style chorale at its centre – united in a powerful closing gesture with the opening theme.
'Was a magnificent evening!'
'The choir and accompaniment was just perfect.'
'Glorious and inspiring! Thank you Maestro Rutter.'
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John Rutter returns to conduct the Orchestra on Thursday 4 December for his annual Christmas Celebration at the Royal Albert Hall.