The latin text, taken from the "Ordinary of the Mass", has for centuries presented a challenge to composers - but Rutter's feel for the line of a text, whether in Latin or English, enables him to write extremely melodic and performable music, while still retaining a contemporary flavor. Rutter was a student of Sir Ralph Vaughan-Williams and in many ways is his true heir, adopting as he does a rather simplistic style of composition without instrumental gadgetry, chord clusters and the paraphernalia of most contemporary work. His notations are sparse - his instructions to performers are just this: play what is written.
As a base for this Gloria, he uses one of the Gregorian chants associated with that part of the mass. There is a lot of common material in the outer movements, which retain the great flourishes from the brass, while the middle movement is introspective and quiet.
© 1995 Robin Hillyard, Symphony Pro Musica