Composer of the Week is broadcast on Radio 3 at 12pm, Monday to Friday. Programmes in November are:
5-9 December Franck
12-16 December Leokadiya Kashperova
19-23 December JS Bach
26-30 December One-hit wonders
Rutter’s style
Melody Rutter (above) describes himself as 50 per cent composer and 50 per cent songwriter. His gift for writing catchy and memorable tunes, says Sarah MacDonald, director of music at Selwyn College, Cambridge, ‘makes his music extremely popular with singers and audiences/congregations around the world’.
Imagination He admits to being a musical magpie rather than a groundbreaking explorer. Yet the way he adorns a simple scale or arpeggio with counterpoint or harmony makes it fresh and unmistakably his own.
Craftsmanship Rutter’s innate gifts are underpinned by a deep understanding of how music is put together, forensic attention to detail when it comes to editing his scores (and other people’s), and a commitment to long hours of hard work to achieve the results he wants.
Practicality Rutter ensures that his music is accessible and performable by
