Joanne Lunn (soprano) Cambridge Singers Melanie Marshall (mezzo soprano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra James Gilchrist (tenor) John Rutter Christopher Purvis (baritone) ? Martingale Music in association with Hendrickson Worship introduces a new recording of Handel's Messiah, from world-renowned conductor and composer John Rutter. ? Remarkably, this is the first time John Rutter has recorded Messiah. ? Named on The Today Show as "the greatest living composer and conductor of choral music,? Rutter is probably the most successful choral composer of his generation. ? Rutter's compositions are chiefly choral, and include Christmas carols, anthems, and? extended works such as a Gloria and a Requiem. ? After giving up the Clare post to allow more time for composition, he formed the Cambridge Singers as a professional chamber choir primarily dedicated to recording, and he now divides his time between composition and conducting. ? He has guest-conducted or lectured at many concert halls, universities, churches, music festivals, and conferences in Europe, Africa, North and Central America and Australasia. ? In 1980 he was made an honorary Fellow of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, and in 1988 a Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians. ? In 1996 the Archbishop of Canterbury conferred a Lambeth Doctorate of Music upon him in recognition of his contribution to church music. ? He was honoured in the 2007 Queen's New Year Honors List, being awarded a CBE for services to music. MRT-CD-001085 ? The 2-CD set includes a 24-page booklet with the text of Messiah and interspersed photos from the recording session at (AY) 24.98 (2 CDs) All Hallows Gospel Oak, London. ? Messiah, (1741), is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel. It is his most famous creation and is among the most popular works in the Western choral literature. ? The name of the oratorio is taken from Judaism and Christianity's concept of the messiah ("the anointed one?). ? In Christianity, the Messiah is Jesus. Handel himself was a devout Christian, and the work is a presentation of Jesus's life and its significance according to Christian doctrine. ? Messiah is Handel's most famous work and remains immensely popular among concert-goers in the Englishspeaking world.