The Cambridge Singers / City of London Sinfonia / John Rutter
COLLEGIUM CSCD 510 78'05"

John Rutter's carols are so familiar these days that it is no surprise to find a Christmas disc made up entirely of them plus a few of his popular arrangements. As such this is a most pleasing addition to the seemingly never-ending revamping of traditional material. The settings are light and mostly fast-moving, with sensitive accompaniment from the City of London Sinfonia. It is about as far away from the ponderous - or maybe pompous - as it is possible to get and yet retain an honest delight in the message of Christmas. Well worth purchasing and I suspect it will remain popular for more than this Christmas. BH