Sir John Rutter’s Birthday Celebration review – niche national treasure celebrates 80 in magnificent style

St Paul’s Cathedral, LondonThe composer conducted two of his own choral works – one a world premiere, alongside a majestic performance of Vaughan Williams’ fifth symphony in a polished and enjoyable eveningHe is a virtuoso of the jaunty rhythm and the doyen of the singable tune. He has a way with suspensions – crunchy enough for resolution to break through like sunlight, but strictly PG-rated compared with the harmonic adventures of his contemporaries. His music is as unfashionably essential as a five-pack of M&S briefs, as ineffably English as queueing.From two royal weddings and a coronation to choir rehearsals, school assemblies and carol services across the UK and North America, British composer John Rutter has dominated the anglophone choral scene for six decades. At 80, he is in a league of his own: a niche national treasure, even referred to as “the composer who owns Christmas”. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Michael Jackson fans stunned by singer’s ‘spitting image’ nephew in controversial biopic trailer

Metro

Comments

Similar News

Arise Sir David: Footballer Beckham is knighted

Arise, Sir David! Beckham receives knighthood from the King

Richard Ashcroft: ‘Why not Sir Liam and Sir Noel?’

Sir Anthony Hopkins on playing the infamous Hannibal Lecter

Sir Anthony Hopkins: It's such a miracle being alive

Sir Daniel Day-Lewis hits out at critics who ‘gob off’ about his method acting

Sir Tom Jones on the pain of success while his father worked down the pit

Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy estate

Sir Paul McCartney's gift that made 'pivotal' Gavin & Stacey scene

Sir David Beckham credits this person for helping him ‘fall in love’ with the countryside

Sir Elton John on The Devil Wears Prada soundtrack: 'It's great to write musicals'

Sir Elton John to appear at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Sir Gary Oldman says Slow Horses has been one of the most ‘joyful’ experiences

Culture

Michael Jackson fans stunned by singer’s ‘spitting image’ nephew in controversial biopic trailer

Royal family member puts himself forward for next Celebrity Traitors

Anemone review – Daniel Day-Lewis’s comeback movie is a confusing mess

Die My Love review – Jennifer Lawrence delivers career-best work in this spellbinding descent into madness

Frankenstein review – Guillermo del Toro’s elegant adaptation is all show and little substance

Michael Jackson biopic trailer finally reveals Jaafar Jackson’s impression of his uncle’s voice

Snoop Dogg responds after live New Year’s Eve special scrapped by NBC

Celebrity Traitors 2025 live: Follow the build-up to the final tonight

Meghan Markle's cringiest TV shows revealed as she 'returns' to the screen

The Celebrity Traitors: the most ridiculous moments from the series so far

The Celebrity Traitors has bonded the nation in a time of doom, gloom and hate

‘I won The Traitors – this contestant will decide who wins tonight’

10 Netflix things everyone is watching right now as thriller gets 11,300,000 views

Claudia Winkleman’s Christmas special ‘cancelled’ after Huntingdon train stabbings

Raven-Symoné separates Bill Cosby’s sexual assault allegations from his cultural impact: ‘The creation changed America’

ITV blames late Budget for delaying TV programmes

Celebrity Traitors final live: BBC respond to episode leaking online early in major spoiler for fans

Conor McGregor’s UFC rivals appear to replace him in Road House 2 cast

Kevin Smith: ‘I’ll always carry the guilt that Harvey Weinstein was involved in my movies’

Cat Burns speaks out on the Celebrity Traitors moment she’ll ‘never live down’

Alan Carr surprised by psychologist’s prediction for his performance on Celebrity Traitors

Inside the Celebrity Traitors castle: A wedding venue once owned by an opium trader

Traitors winner shares how to master ultimate game of deceit

Kate Garraway reveals Tom Daley knitting her a gift featuring Celebrity Traitors catchphrase

Nick Mohammed: The loveable Faithful and puzzle-master on The Celebrity Traitors

How Cat Burn’s quiet confidence got her to the Celebrity Traitors final

David Olusoga: The gentle questioning historian who’s made it to the Celebrity Traitors final

Celebrity Traitors in chaos as final episode ‘leaks’ online

Joe Marler: The burly rugby star turned ‘genius’ Faithful leader

Alan Carr: The most unlikely unsuspected Celebrity Traitor of all

Death by Lightning: The unbelievable true story of James Garfield’s presidency and assassination

Eddie Marsan says people like Laurence Fox fear ‘level playing field’ in acting

Millie Bobby Brown was ‘crying every day’ after cruel coverage of her outfits

Uma Thurman warned famous actress daughter about Quentin Tarantino’s ‘foot fetish’

Big Brother star Ben Duncan, who attended university with Prince William, dies after fall from luxury London hotel

The Celebrity Traitors winner leaks online after huge TV schedule mistake

Tory MP blasts GMB’s Kate Garraway during fiery David Lammy exchange

Death by Lightning review – A presidential assassination drama that probably won’t make history

Meghan Markle reportedly returning to acting after 8-year hiatus

The Night Manager season two: First images show Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman’s return after nine years

Debra Messing faces backlash after sharing meme calling Zohran Mamdani an ‘America-hating jihadist’

Ed Sheeran praised by Keir Starmer as government announces changes to music education in UK schools

Jimmy Kimmel launches food drive as Trump officials slash SNAP benefits

Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone join forces for Miss Piggy movie

BBC viewers left in floods of tears by ‘one of the most beautiful series they’ve seen’

Judge tosses Blake Lively’s claims against social media guru after Justin Baldoni lawsuit ends

Netflix hit K-Pop Demon Hunters sets release date for sequel

Paul Hollywood says Great British Bake Off 2025 winner is ‘best in a while’

Acting has been taken over by 'posh boys', says Eddie Marsan

Aimee Lou Wood: ‘I feel like I can take ownership of what I need to thrive’

Cat Burns addresses Lucy Beaumont friendship after comedian ‘wasn’t happy’ with Celebrity Traitors murder

Shetland is back – with a bombshell

Meghan Markle set to ‘play herself’ in return to acting after 8 years

A Zohran Mamdani Ad Used a Bob Dylan Song. The Music Was Removed.

The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands

Judge tosses Blake Lively’s claims against social media guru after Justin Baldoni lawsuit ends

Danielle Fishel’s husband shares picture of actor with IV after emotional exit from DWTS

Netflix hit K-Pop Demon Hunters sets release date for sequel

Jade Thirlwall opens up on time with Little Mix: ‘It was cut-throat’

Jennifer Lawrence says she is working on a Miss Piggy film with Emma Stone