JOHN RUTTER’S REQUIEM – BETWEEN ANGLICAN TRADITION AND FRENCH MUSICAL AESTHETICS

Abstract

The solemn, religious musical field has always been a very important and fertile realm for composers, providing different tools and contexts as compared to lay music, both in terms of spiritual context, writing techniques, and symbolism. In the present study, we will put forth certain aspects of religious music, addressing the evolution and main features of the genre, as well as the context in which the British composer John Rutter’s Requiem was created. In the section dedicated to the composer’s own portrait, his role in Anglican music is emphasized, while the analysis of the Requiem’s parts, both from the standpoint of composition and style, will presents important details concerning Rutter’s work.

Keywords

• John Rutter, British music, religious music, requiem, anglican tradition, musical aesthetics.