The Rutter

For some time I have been collecting various settings of Psalm 23. One of my favorites is part of a Requiem by John Rutter, a contemporary English composer. The first time I heard the piece, I was choir hopping. Asbury Methodist Church had offered me a standing invitation to sing in their choir whenever I wished, and one summer I took them up on the offer.

We gathered before service in the choir rehearsal room. The director that Sunday was the assistant conductor, the organist one of the head honchos at Eastman School of Music where I was working at the time. We "sight read" the piece for a few minutes while we were waiting for the oboist to arrive. Most everyone else in the room had sung the piece before, but it was new to me.

I loved it immediately. The introduction with organ and oboe was so breath taking that I forgot to sing when the soprano entrance arrived - as did many of us! We had to take another stab at it. I have since conducted and sung it many times, and although it sounds much easier than it is to sing, the end result, even with amateur voices, is always spellbinding.

What is there about the 23rd Psalm that fascinates us so? It is one of those universal passages well accepted by saint and sinner alike. We can all place ourselves in the shoes of the Psalmist, expressing our longings for the basics of safety, security, provision, protection and a happy ending forever.

Seldom does a musical setting do justice to such ageless truth as this Psalm expresses. And don't get me wrong, I am not a Rutter groupie by any means. I like some of what he has written more than other pieces he has produced. I often wonder how the same person who wrote this can toss off some of the other simple little ditties he has written.

This setting, which I have come to refer to as THE Rutter, captures the peace that passes comprehension, peace in the face of war, peace in the face of death itself - that calm assurance that belongs to Christians who know their Savior and their destiny despite all odds. It has a touch of the majestic while being completely down to earth.

We are learning it in choir to sing during Lent. And also to sing for my Master's Recital coming up some time next year as part of my musical exploration of the Lord's Prayer. I encourage you to listen to a good recording of the entire Requiem or at least this movement of it. Here's a nice recording of it on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovPbeXYUD-g

Take a few moments to sit down and relax, perhaps sip a nice hot cup of tea, clear the frantic from your brain, and imbibe the gentle persuasive music that takes you to inevitable calm. I promise you will like it. And just maybe, if you listen right before going to bed, it will help you sleep peacefully. Enjoy.