Cambridge Singers

Cambridge Singers are a professional chamber choir founded in 1981 in Cambridge, England, renowned for their interpretations of sacred choral repertoire, contemporary works, and recordings. Closely associated with conductor and composer John Rutter, they have toured internationally and collaborated with ensembles such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and institutions including King's College, Cambridge and the Royal Albert Hall. Their discography and liturgical performances have attracted attention from broadcasters like the BBC and presenters at festivals such as the Aldeburgh Festival and the Three Choirs Festival.

History

The choir was created during a period of renewed interest in choral music in the United Kingdom that saw activity from groups like the Monteverdi Choir, the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, and the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra movements initiated by conductors including John Eliot Gardiner and David Willcocks. Founded by John Rutter after his work with ensembles such as the Cambridge University Musical Society and his studies at Clare College, Cambridge, the ensemble developed a distinctive sound informed by the British choral tradition exemplified by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge and the choral revival associated with figures like Benjamin Britten, Herbert Howells, and Gustav Holst. Early seasons featured collaborations with choral directors and composers including Philip Ledger, Simon Preston, and Trevor Pinnock, and repertoire drawn from composers ranging from Orlando Gibbons and Thomas Tallis to Eric Whitacre and Arvo Pärt.

Membership and Leadership

The choir's core membership has comprised professional singers active in both liturgical and studio settings, many of whom hold positions in choirs such as the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge, the Choir of New College, Oxford, and ensembles like the London Symphony Chorus. Leadership has been closely identified with John Rutter as founder, conductor, and artistic director; he has conducted alongside guest directors including Stephen Cleobury, Paul McCreesh, and Nicholas Cleobury. Section leaders and soloists have come from backgrounds linked to conservatoires and institutions such as the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and singers have included alumni of ensembles like the BBC Singers and the King's College Choir.

Repertoire and Recordings

Their repertoire spans Renaissance polyphony by Josquin des Prez, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and William Byrd to Romantic works by Johannes Brahms, Gabriel Fauré, and Franz Schubert, and 20th-century and contemporary compositions by Benjamin Britten, Olivier Messiaen, Arvo Pärt, Eric Whitacre, and John Tavener. The Cambridge Singers are particularly noted for recordings of John Rutter's own compositions and arrangements, including collections alongside choral staples such as Handel's Messiah, JS Bach's cantatas, and liturgical cycles tied to Latin and Anglican traditions. Their discography on labels such as Columbia Records, Decca, and Hyperion Records includes holiday albums, requiems, and thematic anthologies that have been distributed internationally and broadcast on networks like the BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

Performance and Tours

The ensemble has performed in venues ranging from university chapels in Cambridge and Oxford to concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Wigmore Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. International tours have taken them to the United States, Japan, Australia, and across Europe, with appearances at festivals and events including the Aldeburgh Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and services at cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris, St Paul's Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey. Collaborations have included working with orchestras like the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the City of London Sinfonia, and guest soloists who have performed at institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout their career, the choir and its recordings have received critical acclaim and awards from organizations including the Gramophone Awards, Classic BRIT Awards, and nominations from the Grammy Awards. Reviews in publications like The Guardian, The Times (London), and The New York Times have praised their blend, diction, and stylistic consistency, while broadcasters such as the BBC and stations like Classic FM have regularly featured their recordings. They have been commended by peers and conductors including Nigel Short, Peter Phillips, and John Dowland interpreters for their contribution to the British choral tradition and contemporary choral commissioning.

Category:Choirs