A New Song #2512
. . . reflections on the provocative music of celebrated Scots composer Sir James MacMillan.
Hour 1
JAMES MacMILLAN: A New Song –Westminster Cathedral Choir/Martin Baker; Andrew Reid (1932 Willis-1984 Harrison/Westminster Cathedral, London, England) Hyperion 67219
MacMILLAN: Te Deum –Polyphony/Stephen Layton; James Vivian (1923-2013 Harrison/Temple Church, London, England) Hyperion 67460
MacMILLAN: White Note Paraphrase –Luke Bond (1887 Willis/Truro Cathedral, England) Regent 386
MacMILLAN: Tres Cantos Sagrados (choruses on texts by Ariel Dorfman & Ana Maria Mendoza -Seattle Pro Musica/Karen P. Thomas; Caroline Robinson (2000 Fisk/Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA) PD Archive (r. 7/7/22). While no commercial recording of this performance of MacMillan’s searing score is available, we commend an excellent performance with the National Youth Chorus of Scotland and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, complete with score and often legible text and with a later orchestral accompaniment, which is available on Youtube.
Filler – MacMILLAN: Te Deum (see above)
Hour 2
ALFRED HOLLINS: Evening Rest –John Kitchen (1914 Norman & Beard/Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland) Delphian 34100
JAMES HUNTER: Variations on a Folk Tune (Kelvingrove) –James Hunter (1902 Lewis/Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow, Scotland) Kelvingrove Museum 2014
MacMILLAN: Changed. MacMILLAN: Kyrie, Gloria, & Agnus Dei, fr Mass –Jonathan Brown, bass; Westminster Cathedral Choir/Martin Baker; Andrew Reid (1932 Willis-1984 Harrison/Westminster Cathedral, London, England) Hyperion 67219
MacMILLAN: The Song of the Lamb –Birmingham Conservatory Chamber Choir/Paul Spicer; David Saint (1881 Bryceson-2022 Rushworth & Dreaper/St. Alban’s Church, Highgate, Birmingham, England) Regent 348
MacMILLAN: Gaudeamus in loci pace --Andrew Reid (1932 Willis-1984 Harrison/Westminster Cathedral, London, England) Hyperion 67219
Filler – MacMILLAN: A New Song (see above)
For added listening involvement, we provide these links to some of the sung texts:
The Song of the Lamb (Revelation Chapter 15, verses 2-4)
For listeners in Minnesota, Sir James MacMillan will be in residence, conducting the Minnesota Orchestra (March 28 & 29) and participating in a pair of concerts, one featuring seven local choral ensemble and a world premiere at the Cathedral of Saint Paul (April 4) and another featuring a performance of MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross conducted by the composer at the Ordway Concert Hall (April 6).
The Choir of Westminster Cathedral is touring the United States, with stops in Washington, DC (March 25), Omaha, NE (March 27), Collegeville, MN (March 29), Saint Louis, MO (March 31), Pittsburgh, PA (April 2), Altoona, PA (April 3), and New York City (April 6).
Continuing support of PIPEDREAMS is provided in loving memory of Lucinda and Wesley Dudley by their family, with additional support from Walter McCarthy, Clara Ueland, and the Greystone Foundation, from Jan and Steve Kirchner, from the Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of the HRK Foundation, and from listener-contributors to this public radio station. Support also comes from Peterson Electro Musical Products of Alsip, IL and Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc. of Warrensburg, MO, members of APOBA, the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, a collaborative of designers, creators, and maintainers of pipe organs found in religious and educational institutions, concert halls, and residences throughout the United States and beyond. An APOBA resource guide and member prospectus is available at APOBA.COM.
