© Nick Rutter

European Church Music Prize 2019 for John Rutter

Honorary President of INTERKULTUR becomes 21st laureate

INTERKULTUR News

John Rutter, British composer and Honorary Artistic President of INTERKULTUR since 2017, will be awarded the European Church Music Prize 2019 at the European Church Music Festival in Schwäbisch Gmünd on 18 July. Since 1999, the prize has been bestowed on high-ranking performers and composers for groundbreaking achievements in the field of sacred music. This year, the jury honors John Rutter's outstanding contributions in this field.

The internationally successful musician was born in London in 1945, studied music at Clare College in Cambridge, which is renowned for its choir, and was Music Director at the same college from 1975 to 1979. In 1983 he founded his own choir, the Cambridge Singers, with whom he also produced numerous recordings of his own works. He splits his time between his work as a composer and his activities as a conductor. Rutter also appeared as a guest conductor and lecturer in concert halls, universities, churches, at renowned music and choir festivals and conferences around the world. For the choir event of the World Choir Games 2018 in South Africa, he composed a hymn whose text sums up the essence of choral singing: "Singing with one voice, one hope, one heart's desire ...".

In addition to numerous high-ranking awards such as honorary membership of the Westminster Choir College, the "Lambeth Doctorate of Music" or the "Orlando di Lasso Medal", Rutter was declared "Commander of the Order of the British Empire" (CBE) in 2007. At the Grand Prix of Nations & 3rd European Choir Games 2017 in Riga he was appointed Honorary Artistic President of INTERKULTUR. John Rutter's greatest successes include the "Gloria", "Requiem" and "Magnificat", the "Mass of the Children" and choral pieces such as "The Lord bless you and keep you" or "This is the day", which were performed at royal events.

Experience John Rutter live: "Singing Day" - Workshop & Festive Concert
As part of the Festival for European Church Music, a "Singing Day" with John Rutter will take place in Schwäbisch Gmünd on 18 July 2019. A unique opportunity to experience the famous composer and his musical works up close. The laureate will present a songbook with his own choral works to be worked on together with interested choir singers and conductors. The European Church Music Prize will be awarded during the evening concert. The Chamber Choir of Europe under the direction of Nicol Matt will perform choral works by John Rutter and contemporary choral music. John Rutter himself will present two pieces from the workshop with the participation of the participants.

Singing Day: 18 July 2019, 14-17:30 / Festival Concert: 18 July 2019, 20:00.

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